SENIOR ACCOUNTANT, CORPORATE ACCOUNTING
Why Merus?
Formerly known as Al. Neyer, Merus combines more than 130 years of commercial real estate expertise with an integrated team of company owners. We specialize in the construction, development, ownership, and management of a diverse portfolio of real estate assets across a growing footprint in the eastern U.S.
We’re all owners here. This not only sets us apart but deeply influences our culture and operations. Every team member demonstrates a deeper sense of ownership and accountability — in both their daily tasks and the collective success of the organization. Learn more about our culture at www.merus1894.com.
Summary of Responsibilities
The Merus Finance & Accounting team is hiring a Senior Accountant, Corporate Accounting. This new role will have leadership responsibilities in the following key corporate areas: ESOP, incentive compensation, corporate and real estate taxes, as well as enterprise risk management. The role has significant cross-functional interaction and requires communication with senior levels of management. The ideal candidate has a strong accounting foundation with progressive career experience and a desire to work in a role with diverse focus areas and an interest in learning new and complex topics. So, if you like to dig the details, make big impacts and want to continue your growth journey, keep reading.
Essential Job Functions
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
- Coordination of annual ESOP calendar with internal and external stakeholders.
- Provide or coordinate delivery of information to ESOP stakeholders (recordkeeper, valuation firm, auditors, tax advisor and outside counsel).
- Understand and review compliance and participant reporting.
- Oversight of and review or 5500 for filing.
- Execute company-level ESOP accounting and coordinate the ESOP audit.
- Partner with Talent/HR in annual ESOP trainings and communications to ESOP participants.
- Support CFO and other executives with other key aspects of the ESOP including the annual company valuation, board reporting on ESOP matters, budgeting for ESOP related expenses and ESOP sustainability modeling.
Taxes
- Oversee relationship with external tax advisor
- Prepare and maintain the monthly corporate tax provision for state and local taxes.
- Assist in execution of corporate tax strategies with executive team and external tax advisor.
- Coordinate corporate tax return preparation (external tax advisor) and review.
- Assist with real estate tax entity tax return/K-1 submission and review process (oversight of process, but not direct review responsibilities).
Incentive Compensation Review and Support and other Compensation Oversight
- Partner with the CFO on coordination and issuance of all incentive award programs.
- Prepare all incentive calculations for review by CEO and CFO.
- Accounting and issuance of stock-based awards.
- Perform control reviews of bi-weekly payroll changes.
Enterprise Risk Management
- Facilitate the annual risk assessment by coordinating with the Enterprise Risk Management Committee, executive team, & other business unit / department leaders to identify, document, & mitigate organizational risk.
- Support the CFO in reporting risk mitigation efforts to the Audit Committee.
- Distribute company-wide communications around ERM initiatives to support a culture of risk awareness & risk ownership.
- Partner with internal and external stakeholders to oversee the subcontractor pre-qualification process.
Essential Competencies
- Collaborates - Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
- Resourcefulness - Securing and deploying resources effectively and efficiently.
- Interpersonal Savvy - Relating openly and comfortably with diverse groups of people.
- Optimizes Work Processes - Knowing the most effective and efficient processes to get things done, with a focus on continuous improvement.
- Being Resilient - Rebounding from setbacks and adversity when facing difficult situations.
- Courage - Stepping up to address difficult issues, saying what needs to be said.
Position Requirements
- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and to work cooperatively and collaboratively with individuals of diverse backgrounds and at all organizational levels.
- Ability to organize, prioritize and manage multiple priorities while being detail oriented.
- Ability to manage change and adapt to changing processes and procedures.
- Proven ability to use technology to improve process and task efficiency.
Qualifications and Experience
- Bachelor’s Degree required in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
- 3+ years accounting experience, demonstrating career progression.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office suite with strong Excel skills required.
- Demonstrated understanding of US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (US GAAP).
- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and to work cooperatively and collaboratively with individuals of diverse backgrounds and at all organizational levels.
- Ability to organize, prioritize and manage multiple priorities while being detail oriented.
- Ability to manage change and adapt to changing processes and procedures.
- Demonstrated initiative to continue to learn and broaden accounting and industry knowledge.
- Proven ability to use technology to improve process and task efficiency.
Safety Hazard of the Job
Normal safety hazards associated with office work, and with occasional observational visits to construction sites.
Physical Demands
Low physical effort required to sit, stand at files, bend, stoop, lift, and walk. Maximum unassisted lift is 35 lbs. Average lift is less than 10 lbs. Requires ability to use a keyboard and monitor. Also requires the ability to communicate verbally, both in person and on the telephone. May require some travel by car.
Environmental Requirements
Average inside office environment. Average office noise levels. No personal protective equipment is required. Ambient temperature is between 68F and 76F.
This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. The employee will also perform other reasonably related business duties as assigned by their immediate supervisor and other management as required. This job description is not a contract or offer for employment, and either you or Merus may terminate employment at any time for any reason.
