Real Estate Development Accountant

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The salary range for this position takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs.

At WGU it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their position and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is:

Job Description

Responsibilities

Organizational Impact:

• Develops and recommends financial controls and project accounting procedures aligned with organizational objectives.
• Performance directly impacts project financial integrity risk management and cash flow oversight.

Problem Solving & Decision Making:

• Identifies project financial risks cost overruns and discrepancies that require corrective action.
• Exercises independent judgment when evaluating construction pay applications and financial documentation.

Communication & Influence:

• Serves as a key liaison among developers contractors architects lenders consultants and accounting teams.
• Communicates project financial status and risk exposure to management and stakeholders.

Leadership & Talent Management:

• May coordinate the activities of project accountants consultants or external reviewers.
• Supports process improvements and training related to construction accounting and draw administration.

Primary Responsibilities

• Reviews and validates construction pay applications against the approved Schedule of Values (SOV).
• Confirms costs are billed to the appropriate budget and contract categories.
• Identifies and prevents front-loading or overbilling of project costs.
• Verifies percentage completion through review of prior pay applications progress reports site inspection reports and third-party validations.
• Coordinates with owners representatives architects inspectors lender consultants and project controls personnel to validate construction progress.
• Reviews and collects partial lien waivers and releases from contractors subcontractors and suppliers.
• Ensures prior payments have been properly disbursed to subcontractors and vendors.
• Protects the developer from mechanics lien exposure through proper documentation and compliance.
• Reconciles change orders and verifies that all billed changes are formally approved and contractually authorized.
• Ensures no unauthorized or pending change order work is included in payment requests.
• Calculates and verifies retainage withholding in accordance with contractual requirements.
• Performs arithmetic validation of pay applications including formulas totals prior payments and remaining balances.
• Reviews supporting documentation including subcontractor invoices payroll reports schedules and construction backup.
• Tracks project budgets against actual expenditures and identifies potential cost overruns or financial risks.
• Monitors project burn rates and flags signs of financial stress or budget deviations.
• Coordinates architect certifications and lender inspection approvals for draw requests.
• Ensures compliance with lender draw requirements loan covenants and contingency tracking.
• Coordinates with internal accounting and finance teams on project funding and cash flow management.
• Approves finalized draw packages for funding authorization and payment processing.
• Prepares project financial reports and communicates risk exposure to management.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

This job description provides a general representation of job requirements rather than a comprehensive list of all responsibilities or work activities. The contents of this document and related job requirements may change at any time with or without notice.

Qualifications

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Strong knowledge of construction accounting project budgeting and draw administration.
• Strong analytical and reconciliation skills.
• Knowledge of construction contracts lien waiver processes and change order management.
• Understanding of construction lending and draw compliance requirements.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite particularly Excel.
• Experience with ERP systems project accounting systems or construction accounting software preferred.

Education

• Bachelors degree in Accounting Finance Construction Management or a related field required.

Experience

• 5 years of experience in construction accounting project accounting real estate development or related financial operations.
• Experience reviewing construction draws pay applications and project budgets preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or related certification preferred.
• Experience working with construction lenders developers or commercial real estate organizations.
• Knowledge of AIA G702/G703 forms and construction draw processes preferred.

Additional Requirements

Experience in lieu of education

Equivalent relevant experience performing the essential functions of this job may substitute for education degree requirements. Generally equivalent relevant experience is defined as 1 year of experience for 1 year of education and is the discretion of the hiring manager.

Travel

This position requires occasional travel of up to 20% including required attendance at designated company summits (typically one to two per year). Additional travel may include conferences visits to company locations and other business-related events as needed. Additional travel may be assigned as needed to support business requirements

Position & Application Details

How to Apply: If interested an application will need to be submitted online. Internal WGU employees will need to apply through the internal job board in Workday.

Additional Information

Disclaimer: The job posting highlights the most critical responsibilities and requirements of the job. Its not all-inclusive.

Accommodations: Applicants with disabilities who require assistance or accommodation during the application or interview process should contact our Talent Acquisition team at

Equal Employment Opportunity: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected characteristic as required by law.