Director, Property Accounting

Newport Beach, CA

BKM Management Company is seeking an experienced, hands-on leader to oversee its Property Accounting team and support the continued growth of BKM’s real estate investment platform. Located in Newport Beach, CA, the Director will be accountable for the department’s people, operations, financial reporting and controls, ensuring accurate, timely financial information across a growing portfolio of multi-tenant light industrial properties.

As a leader within the company, the Director will partner closely with Property Management, Asset Management, Fund Finance & Accounting and senior leadership to translate business priorities into effective execution. The role will also work directly with equity partners and external service providers, building strong relationships, resolving issues and maintaining confidence in BKM’s financial reporting.

The ideal candidate combines strong accounting expertise with sound business judgment, clear communication and a demonstrated ability to develop people, improve operations and lead initiatives that help a team and business scale.

This role is 100% in-office due to the collaborative nature. Only local candidates will be considered at this time.

Essential Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Development

  • Lead, develop and oversee the Property Accounting team, establishing clear responsibilities, performance expectations and accountability.
  • Coach managers and accountants, strengthen technical and leadership capabilities, and build a pipeline of talent to support continued growth.
  • Own staffing plans, workload allocation and team capacity, anticipating needs as the portfolio expands and transaction activity changes.
  • Build a collaborative, service-oriented culture that emphasizes accuracy, responsiveness, problem-solving and continuous improvement.
  • Lead hiring, onboarding, performance reviews and development planning, ensuring consistent standards across the department.
  • Serve as a company leader who communicates priorities clearly, exercises sound judgment and drives issues through resolution.

Operational Oversight & Financial Reporting

  • Own the property accounting operating cadence, including close schedules, review procedures, reporting deadlines and escalation of outstanding issues.
  • Oversee full-cycle accounting and financial reporting across the portfolio, including financial statements, general ledgers, reconciliations, accruals, capital expenditures and supporting schedules.
  • Ensure timely, accurate reporting to internal stakeholders, equity partners and lenders, with clear explanations of significant activity and variances.
  • Partner with Property Management and Asset Management to address property-level accounting matters, including tenant receivables, lease accounting, expense recoveries and capital projects.
  • Oversee property cash requirements, contribution and distribution calculations, and coordination with Treasury and Fund Finance & Accounting.
  • Coordinate the accounting onboarding and transition of acquisitions and dispositions, ensuring accurate system setup, opening balances, transaction entries and post-closing adjustments.
  • Maintain effective handoffs between Property Accounting and Fund Finance & Accounting to support consolidated reporting and investor deliverables.

Joint Venture & Vendor Relationships

  • Serve as a senior Property Accounting contact for equity partners, addressing reporting requirements, financial questions and accounting issues with professionalism and responsiveness.
  • Understand partner-specific requirements and incorporate them into consistent, well-controlled reporting processes.
  • Lead resolution of complex or recurring issues, coordinating internal teams and external parties while keeping stakeholders informed.
  • Oversee relationships with accounting technology providers, consultants and other service vendors, establishing clear deliverables and monitoring service quality.
  • Coordinate property accounting support for external auditors and tax advisors, ensuring complete documentation and timely responses.

Controls & Accounting Quality

  • Maintain and strengthen internal controls over financial reporting, cash activity, journal entries, reconciliations and system access.
  • Establish documented accounting policies, review standards and procedures that promote consistency across properties and investment structures.
  • Provide technical guidance on complex property transactions, including acquisitions, dispositions, financing activity and capital expenditures.
  • Identify accounting risks and recurring errors, address root causes and implement practical corrective actions.
  • Ensure the department maintains complete, organized records and remains prepared for audits and partner reviews.

Strategic Initiatives & Business Scaling 

  • Develop and execute a department roadmap aligned with BKM’s growth plans, covering people, processes, technology and reporting.
  • Lead initiatives to standardize workflows, streamline the close process, improve reporting quality and reduce manual work.
  • Partner with Technology & Data and other departments to improve accounting systems, integrations, automation and access to reliable financial information.
  • Establish and monitor department performance measures, including close timeliness, reporting accuracy, unresolved reconciliations and workload capacity.
  • Evaluate the resources and operating changes needed to support new investments, equity partners and portfolio growth.
  • Own implementation of department initiatives, with clear milestones, accountable owners and measurable results.

Qualifications 

  • Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance or a related field.
  • CPA preferred.
  • 12+ years of relevant commercial real estate accounting experience, including substantial experience overseeing accounting operations across a multi-property portfolio.
  • 7+ years of progressive management experience, including leading managers, developing staff and building effective teams.
  • Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP, property accounting, financial reporting and internal controls, with the ability to evaluate complex transactions and provide clear technical guidance.
  • Experience with multi-tenant commercial properties, including lease accounting, CAM reconciliations, tenant recoveries, capital expenditures and property-level cash management.
  • Experience overseeing accounting for acquisitions, dispositions and financing transactions, including onboarding and transitions between ownership structures.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage reporting requirements across institutional equity partners, joint ventures and lenders while maintaining consistent accounting standards.
  • Confidence working directly with equity partners, auditors, tax advisors and vendors, including addressing complex questions and resolving sensitive issues.
  • Proven success developing managers and staff, setting performance expectations and holding teams accountable for quality, responsiveness and deadlines.
  • Experience evaluating staffing needs, allocating workloads and building capacity to support portfolio growth.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional initiatives, gain alignment among stakeholders and deliver results against established milestones.
  • Track record of improving close processes, strengthening controls and implementing systems or automation that reduce manual work.
  • Ability to translate financial information into practical insights and recommendations for Property Management, Asset Management and senior leadership.
  • Strong executive presence and communication skills, with the ability to explain complex matters clearly and represent the department effectively.
  • Proficiency with Yardi Voyager and advanced Excel capabilities strongly preferred; experience with reporting tools, system integrations and data analytics is a plus.
  • Sound judgment, strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize competing demands while maintaining attention to detail.
  • A proactive ownership mindset, with the willingness to address issues directly, make decisions and follow through on commitments.
  • Champion the use of AI and emerging technologies to improve process efficiency 

 The Perks: 

  • Competitive Pay + Bonus Incentive 
  • Medical, Dental, Vision and Life Insurance 
  • Paid Time Off 
  • 401k Plan  
  • Professional Development Resources
  • Fun Work Vibe (indoor basketball/pickleball, creative office space, team-building events, company training opportunities, and much more!)