Property Accountant, Affordable Housing

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

As the Property Accountant, you will bring your accounting expertise to a portfolio of 16+ affordable housing properties with over 944 residential units across Seattle, King County, and Snohomish County. Your work will help maintain reliable financial records that support the housing residents depend on. Using Yardi, you will manage day to day accounting for tenant rent, rental subsidies, accounts receivable, accounts payable, bank reconciliations, and monthly closing activities.

You will partner with eight apartment and property managers and the Finance team to solve accounting problems, strengthen consistent practices, and provide clear, timely financial information. This role is well suited to an accountant who enjoys detailed work, takes ownership of recurring deadlines, and values being a helpful resource to colleagues. Practical knowledge of affordable housing and Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) terminology, particularly tenant rent and rental assistance, will help you succeed.

WORK SCHEDULE: This is a hybrid position with three days in the office and two days remote each week. Work is primarily performed in an office or remote office setting. The employee must be available during established work hours and maintain a remote workspace that supports focused work and protects confidential information. Occasional visits to assigned properties or other YWCA locations may be needed.

WHAT YOU WILL BRING AND GAIN

You will bring accuracy, curiosity, and practical problem solving to a team with a shared purpose. In return, the role offers meaningful work across a sizeable housing portfolio, regular collaboration with colleagues in Finance and Housing, and a hybrid schedule with three days in the office and two days remote. Your ability to turn financial details into useful information will help property managers make informed decisions and keep daily operations moving.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Rent, Subsidies, and Accounts Receivable

• Record and reconcile tenant rent, rental assistance payments, and other property income in Yardi, accurately distinguishing tenant payments from subsidy payments.
• Reconcile rent rolls, tenant ledgers, and subsidy receivables to the general ledger; investigate and resolve discrepancies.
• Monitor outstanding tenant and subsidy balances, unapplied payments, prepaid rent, and delayed or missing subsidy payments.
• Process approved rent adjustments, prorated rent, move in and move out transactions, refunds, and write offs with appropriate documentation.
• Reconcile security deposit activity and related liability accounts.
• Coordinate with property managers and housing agencies to resolve payment discrepancies and obtain supporting records.
• Work with property management and compliance staff to ensure approved changes to tenant and subsidy portions of rent are accurately reflected in Yardi.

General Property Accounting

• Process or review property invoices and accounts payable transactions according to established approval procedures.
• Confirm expenses are charged to the correct property, account, and accounting period.
• Record journal entries, accruals, prepaid expenses, and other routine accounting adjustments.
• Reconcile operating bank accounts, security deposit accounts, and applicable reserve accounts.
• Complete assigned monthly and year end closing activities and maintain supporting schedules.
• Prepare routine property financial statements, account detail, and budget variance reports; explain significant discrepancies.
• Maintain accurate accounting records for each assigned property and follow established accounting policies and internal controls.
• Identify unresolved balances, unusual transactions, or other accounting concerns and promptly communicate them to the supervisor.

Property Manager Support and Collaboration

• Serve as an accounting resource for eight apartment and property managers.
• Explain tenant balances, subsidy payments, expense coding, and property financial information in clear, practical terms.
• Follow up on missing documentation and coordinate timely corrections to accounting records.
• Help managers follow consistent procedures for rent receipts, deposits, invoice submissions, and accounting adjustments.
• Participate in regular meetings with Finance and Housing staff to review outstanding items and resolve recurring issues.
• Maintain organized records, protect confidential resident and financial information, and complete other related accounting duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Associate or bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant accounting experience.
At least three years of relevant accounting experience, including experience with residential property or affordable housing accounting.
Practical experience using Yardi for property accounting, tenant ledger review, reconciliations, and reporting.
Experience accounting for tenant rent and rental assistance payments, including separate tenant and subsidy receivables.
Working knowledge of general ledger accounting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, journal entries, bank reconciliations, and monthly closing procedures.
Familiarity with LIHTC and subsidized housing terminology and how rent restrictions, utility allowances, and approved rent changes affect accounting records.
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including sorting, filtering, formulas, and reconciliation of financial data.
Ability to manage accounting activity across multiple properties, maintain accuracy, and meet recurring deadlines.
Strong communication and problem solving skills, with the ability to explain accounting information to colleagues without an accounting background.
Commitment to respectful collaboration, confidentiality, and YWCA’s mission to eliminate racism and empower women.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
• Experience supporting accounting for a portfolio of affordable housing properties.
• Experience working with nonprofit housing organizations and properties with multiple rental assistance arrangements.
• Experience helping property managers resolve tenant ledger and subsidy discrepancies.
• Familiarity with Washington affordable housing programs and local housing authority payment practices

PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THE POSITION

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  In performing this job, the employee:

All positions at YWCA of Seattle | King | Snohomish are exposed to clients who have experienced or are experiencing trauma in various forms including but not limited to: domestic violence, sexual violence, homelessness, unemployment, financial hardship, etc.  As a result, staff are at risk of secondary trauma. Employees are encouraged to seek external support and maintain self-care when working indirectly or directly with clients

Perform computer based accounting work for extended periods, with opportunities to change position and take appropriate breaks.

Use a computer, keyboard, mouse, telephone, and standard office equipment.

Review detailed financial information, spreadsheets, and documents in electronic or printed formats, using assistive technology as needed.

Communicate and exchange information with colleagues through meetings, telephone, email, and virtual platforms.

Move within the office to access workspaces, meetings, and office equipment, with mobility aids as needed.

Occasionally handle or move routine office materials, such as files or supplies, weighing up to 10 pounds.

Attend required office days and occasional meetings at other YWCA locations using reliable transportation.

Continuously over 80% of the time, frequently 20-80% of the time, and occasionally under 20% of the time.

Staffing Agencies and Temp to Hire Opportunities

YWCA welcomes candidates presented by staffing agencies and is open to considering a temp to hire arrangement for this position.

Staffing agencies should contact Recruitment@ywcaworks.org to introduce their agency and present candidates for consideration. Please include the candidate’s résumé, relevant experience, availability, and proposed placement terms.