Senior Accountant

Function:

The Senior Accountant performs advanced accounting and financial analysis for a publicly traded real estate investment trust (“REIT”). Primary responsibilities include accounting for various corporate-level assets and liabilities, fixed assets and real estate taxes, including coordination with third-party real estate tax consultants; maintaining financials for a portfolio of REIT entities; preparing monthly, quarterly, and annual reports and footnotes; and coordinating with the third-party SOX and internal audit provider. The ideal candidate will possess a strong foundation in technical accounting and rigorous control environments.

Responsibilities:

• Assists the Sr. Accounting Manager in overall financial management, analysis, and reporting for a publicly traded REIT.
• Maintains general ledger and journals and monitors asset, liability, income, and expense accounts for discrepancies for real estate taxes and fixed assets for a portfolio of REIT entities.
• Prepare, review, and analyze complex journal entries, account reconciliations, and financial statements.
• Assists in the preparation and review of the Company’s quarterly 10-Q financial reporting and review process and annual 10-K reporting and audit process.
• Performs quality control of financial and performance measurement reports.
• Adheres to GAAP and the Company’s accounting practices to ensure that accounting policies, effective controls, and efficient procedures are implemented and enforced to safeguard company assets and comply with the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (“SOX”).
• Works closely with third-party real estate tax consultants in administering the Company’s real estate tax appeals program.
• Works closely with a third-party provider in administering the Company’s SOX and internal audit program.
• Communicates complex financial data to non-financial management and associates.
• Produces ad hoc reports as required for internal use and external parties, including auditors, consultants, government agencies, etc.
• Identifies and recommends process improvement initiatives designed to enhance the level of service provided by the accounting team, strengthen internal controls, make accounting processes more efficient, or enhance business reporting.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Skills:

• Knowledge of accounting best practices, principles, practices, and methodologies, including a thorough knowledge of GAAP
• Demonstrated aptitude to prepare and analyze complex financial reports.
• Ability to multitask and manage multiple priorities, with a proven record of completing projects on time.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance required.
• CPA certification preferred or eligible to sit for CPA exam.
• Three to five (3-5) years’ progressive finance and accounting experience required.
• Prior experience working in public accounting (ideally for a “Big 4” firm) strongly preferred.
• 2+ years of experience in public accounting preferred.
• 2-3 years of experience working in the hotel or commercial real estate industry is a plus
• Experience with real estate taxes is a plus.
• Experience with SOX and internal audit is a plus.
• Experience with financial and accounting reporting systems, YARDI is a plus.

Work Environment:

• Position is based in Bethesda, MD
• Onsite in the office four days a week, with one designated remote workday.

Compensation:

• $90,000-$95,000
• Target bonus up to 10%

RLJ Lodging Trust is an equal-opportunity employer. We encourage you to apply even if your experience is not a 100% match with the position. We are looking for someone with relevant skills and experience, not a checklist that exactly matches the job description. We want to help you grow and in return, you help us grow into a stronger, more inclusive organization. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.