Finance Manager

The posting

Finance Manager

Mercer Street

Mercer Street is a real estate investment and asset management firm focused on disciplined capital deployment and active asset management. Formed in 2016, Mercer Streets diversified investment portfolio has grown to more than a million square feet across the United States. Mercer Street believes in active asset management and thesis-driven investment strategies, and is committed to creating better places to live, work, and stay. The management team has worked together for more than a decade and in that time has been involved in acquiring more than $700 million of real estate.

Role Summary:

Mercer Street is seeking a dedicated Finance Manager to join the Firms accounting team. This experienced professional will support Mercer Streets accounting, finance, and real estate asset management functions on the corporate level and through all stages of an investments life cycle.

Location is flexible as current team members work across the United States and Latin America, and remain in touch daily, if not hourly. It works well for us. We expect applicants to be comfortable with, and thrive in, this work-from-anywhere environment.

You should be authentic, honest, passionate about what you do, humble, a team player, a self-motivator, smart, strategic, not easily discouraged, willing to roll up your sleeves, inquisitive, and resourceful. We really value attention to detail and a great sense of humor. This is a serious business but we really dont take ourselves too seriously.

The successful candidate will love accounting. Everything about it. You should love: follow-through, delivering on-time and on-budget, a presentable and error-free spreadsheet, and consistent formatting. You should hate: a messy chart of accounts, unbalanced books, and requests for payment without a supporting invoice.

Below we have included some Keys to Success at Mercer Street. If this sounds like a place for you, we encourage you to apply!

Job Responsibilities Include:

• Support the Firms external and internal bookkeeping, accounting, investor relations, and audit teams
• Assist in the preparation and review of monthly/quarterly/annual financial statements
• Assist in the preparation and review of budgets for various entities
• Oversee and/or manage A/P and A/R for various corporate entities
• Conduct periodic reconciliations of bank accounts to ensure accuracy
• Assist with loan compliance
• Assist in the preparation and distribution of tax returns and other tax forms for various entities
• Communicate with, influence, and oversee the work of third-party management companies across the portfolio.

• Perform all job duties and responsibilities in an honest and ethical manner and in compliance with all laws, regulations, and Firm policies.

Qualities You Should Have:

• Minimum of 5-7 years of direct real estate accounting experience. Bonus for direct experience with hotels and F&B.
• Strong understanding of real estate financial statements and excellent financial acumen with the ability to create sophisticated financial analysis to find issues, solve problems, and support decision-making.
• Ability to make timely decisions, with imperfect information.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills are critical. Must have the ability to effectively convey ideas and recommendations, and support positions.
• Exceptionall attention to detail. Bonus points if you caught the misspelling.
• Genuine interest in real estate.
• Personal and professional integrity.
• Ability to work independently and manage many projects and deadlines with shifting priorities.
• Advanced user in Microsoft Excel and QuickBooks.
• Willingness to assign and personally assume accountability.

Mercer Street is an equal opportunity employer. Our employment decisions are based on individual qualifications, job requirements and business needs without regard to race, color, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, age, religion, disability, citizenship status, national origin, pregnancy, veteran status and or any other legally protected characteristics. Mercer Street celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees across our organization.

Keys to Success at Mercer Street

1. Dont assume a job is getting done. Make sure. Follow up

1. Dont give up. Things will get easier, but they will rarely be easy. Lean into the challenge and dont get discouraged. Surf the wave

1. If you need help, ask. Not knowing an answer or not having a solution doesnt make you weak. This is a team effort. You dont have to be 100 all the time, but we (collectively) need to be at 100 at all times.

1. Take pride in your work. Details matter. Design matters. Accuracy matters. Spelling/grammar matters. People will lose trust in the big things if they see that the little things are wrong/missing.

1. Work hard to earn trust. Dont assume it will be there day 1. Or day 100.

1. Do the right thing, even when it hurts. Integrity and your good word matters. If you mess up, own it, fix it, and move on.

1. Overcommunicate. Our counterparties (investors, vendors, employees etc.) depend on Mercer Street for guidance and instruction. We need to communicate clearly, frequently, transparently, and with integrity. At all times.

1. Be responsive. Respond to every email, phone call, and/or WhatsApp. The response doesnt have to be immediate (or detailed) but the lights must be on. Someone must be home. Sometimes the best response is on it or Received. Let me look into this and come back. As an organization with employees, properties and counterparties across the Americas, this takes outsized importance. Being responsive is also one way we demonstrate that messages/inquiries/concerns are heard and valued.

1. If youre not sure dont fake it. If asked for an answer – and you dont know (which is almost always more than ok) dont pretend you do or disassemble your way through it. Im not sure but let me check and come back. The lie is always worse than the crime.

1. Plan, plan, plan. Dont assume that things will just work out. Invest time and energy in planning for the desired outcome. If youre working with others – or managing a team – make sure everyone knows their roles. Check and recheck.

1. Be cool under pressure. Some of this comes from experience + temperament, but do your best. In a crisis, people respond to the calmest one in the room.

1. We dont work in an emergency room (even if at times it feels like triage). Our work isnt life and death. Perspective matters (+ helps).

1. Attention to detail. No better way to build trust from those around you.

1. Anticipate the questions others will ask. Anticipate the information others will request. Answer those questions before you submit any work product.

1. Measure twice, cut once. Read that document, check the formula, check the formatting one more time before its shared with others.

1. Are you unsure? Is someone unresponsive? Pick up the phone and dial. Dont expect someone else to match your needs/timing/schedule. Lean in.

1. Dont just meet a deadline – beat a deadline. Show enthusiasm for your work. The cadence and work product you produce will be matched by your counterparties – for better or worse.

1. Ask what you can do to help others- what can I take off your plate? How can I support? You will get what you give. Generosity is rewarded + reciprocated.

1. Work incredibly hard – without telling anyone how hard youre working. There are some places where puffery and martyrdom is the currency of the realm. This isnt one of those places.

1. Life happens. We are not robots (and we dont expect others to be either). The work is super super important, but life is much more important. Were there for each other during tough times and great times. Take care of your health during an illness. Care for a sick parent. Unplug during your honeymoon and when a child is born. Ask for space during those moments- youll be surprised how your coworkers respond with joy in their heart.

1. Laugh. As much as possible. Dont take yourself (or your coworkers) too seriously. And some of the best humor is gallows humor (dont worry, its only forever).

1. Oftentimes, the highest form of communication is a well-placed GIF.

1. You have to be able to walk and chew gum at the same time. Those who excel in this firm are excellent multitaskers.

1. Prioritize. The urgent cant (always) crowd out the important. Know what needs to be done quickly and what needs to be done well. If youre unsure about priorities, ask.

1. Dont be a jerk. Be generous with praise. Offer to help others. Criticize in private + praise in public. People who are unkind or unhelpful (to anyone- regardless of rank) will have a very (very) short tenue at Mercer Street.

1. Love the work. Not every day is going to be the best day of your life, but there needs to be a threshold passion for your work and this industry.

1. The way we do things matters- not just the outcome. We depend on our relationships and our reputation. Invest in both. Always.

1. Take initiative. This job isnt about just being a waiter or waitress (taking and filling orders as they come in)- though theres always going to be some of that. Think about what can be done better/faster/more efficiently – and act upon it.

1. Dive deep. Develop expertise. Become the firms expert in real estate tax appeals, vinyl flooring, orange wines, or cyber insurance (to name a few).

1. Dont hide. Speak up. Ask questions. Offer ideas. Share with others. Its not only rewarding but it helps build a sense of community.

1. Make good friendships. Call coworkers when theyre sick or on their birthdays (except Alex Libin who really hates getting birthday calls, but will happily field calls about your favorite episode of The Wire)

1. Follow up