Senior Development Accountant

Posted 4 days ago

equalaccessNew York (NY)

Accountants and Auditors Other Accounting Services

SENIORITY

Senior

SALARY

$135,000 - $180,000

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About the role

Senior Development Accountant | Queens, NY| On-site EqualAccess (on behalf of a confidential client)

The Role: This is an accounting role at a real estate development firm based in Queens. The client operates in the development space, and they are looking for someone who understands the financial mechanics of real estate projects from the ground up, not just general ledger maintenance or corporate accounting. This is a hands-on seat. The person who succeeds here will be comfortable working close to the deals, the draws, the lenders, and the numbers that actually drive development decisions. This is not a passive reporting role, and it is not a large-team environment where work gets handed off between layers of staff. What This Role Is, and Is NotThis role is:

A core accounting function embedded in an active real estate development operation
Responsible for project-level financial tracking, reporting, and compliance
A role requiring familiarity with construction draws, equity waterfalls, or development cost accounting
A position with real visibility into how deals are structured and funded
This role is NOT:A corporate or public accounting role with standardized, repeating cycles
A fit for someone who has only worked in audit or tax without development exposure
A high-headcount environment with defined handoffs and support layers
A remote or hybrid position
Required Experience & TraitsSolid background in real estate development accounting, specifically at the project level, not just fund or asset management accounting
Familiarity with construction loan draws, lender reporting, and cost tracking against project budgets
Comfort working with ownership and project management directly, without a large finance team around you
Strong command of general ledger, job costing, and period-end close in a development context
Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously without losing precision on any of them
A degree is standard for this role, but direct experience in real estate development accounting matters more than where you went to school

Key Responsibilities:

Project Accounting & Cost Tracking
Maintain accurate project-level books across the development portfolio, tracking costs against approved budgets
Process and reconcile construction draws, flagging discrepancies early and keeping lender documentation complete
Financial Reporting
Prepare internal financial reports for ownership and project stakeholders, presenting a clear picture of where each project stands
Support preparation of financial statements and schedules required by lenders, investors, or partners
Compliance & Audit Support
Maintain documentation and records in line with lender, investor, and regulatory requirements
Coordinate with external auditors and tax preparers, providing clean workpapers and timely responses
Budgeting & Forecasting
Assist in building and updating project pro formas and cash flow projections as development timelines evolve
Flag budget variances and work with the development team to understand and address the root cause
Systems & Process
Work within existing accounting systems and, where appropriate, recommend improvements to how costs and reporting are tracked across the portfolio

Compensation

Base salary: $135,000 - $180,000 Total compensation details to be discussed during the interview process Why EqualAccessEqualAccess partners with best-in-class organizations and supports candidates beyond placement. Every candidate we place receives 3 months of post-hire coaching and career support, ensuring long-term success and growth.

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