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What is a portfolio accountant and how to become one
The portfolio accountant is an individual that works with the regional portfolio and community business manager to keep accurate reports for all property income and expenses. They collaborate with the property managers to collect and record all tenant information. They also prepare and maintain a prospective list of all tenants as per property management requirements. A Portfolio Accountant helps to reconcile all assigned accounts within the required time.
As a Portfolio Accountant, you are designing required solutions and collaborating with related departments for all account requests. You work with various departments to prepare Quarterly reports and perform regular file audits in compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. You are responsible for providing an allowance to facilitate debt calculations for every individual property.
Also, you maintain accurate records of all portfolio schedules. The average salary of a Portfolio Accountant is $56,079. But it typically ranges from $51,119 to $61,785.
What general advice would you give to a portfolio accountant?
Stephen Moehrle Ph.D.
Professor and Chairman of Accounting, University of Missouri - St. Louis
Most of the above remains true so the only open question is job availability. It would be unrealistic to say things are great. However, it seems that job prospects for accounting majors will be better than for those of virtually every other entry-level profession during difficult times. I have been speaking with firm leaders across the spectrum of firms and most do intend to be on campus in the fall recruiting season. Of course, they have a lot of time to learn more about the economy over the next few months, but we are cautiously optimistic. Again, I am confident that whatever the state of job availability for young CPAs-to-be, prospects will be better for accounting graduates than virtually any other profession.
They will be entering the profession at a fascinating moment in time. Of course, the technological advances assure this regardless of economic conditions. However, there are business disruption-related issues that will provide rich opportunities for making a difference. For example, audit staff will be working with clients to see them through these troubling times. Lamentably, I fear that these young professionals will learn more about the going concern determination than they desire to know. Tax staff will help clients to optimally use the tax loss carrybacks and carryforwards that are arising by the day. Entry level professionals in corporate accounting will get a day-to-day front row seat in business management through crisis. While lamentable times, these are times when young professionals can make a difference that saves jobs.
Avg. Salary $69,877
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth rate 6%
Growth rate 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native 0.45%
Asian 17.94%
Black or African American 7.57%
Hispanic or Latino 9.88%
Unknown 3.91%
White 60.25%
Genderfemale 41.88%
male 58.12%
Age - 43American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 43Stress level is manageable
7.1 - high
Complexity level is challenging
7 - challenging
Work life balance is good
6.4 - fair
Portfolio accountant career paths
Key steps to become a portfolio accountant
Explore portfolio accountant education requirements
Start to develop specific portfolio accountant skills
Skills Percentages Reconciliations 11.53% Financial Reports 9.30% Real Estate 7.23% Journal Entries 6.82% Yardi 6.12% Complete relevant portfolio accountant training and internships
Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New portfolio accountants learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a portfolio accountant based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real portfolio accountant resumes.Research portfolio accountant duties and responsibilities
- Manage and monitor accounting procedures for compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley and coordinate and facilitate external audit requirements.
- Verify accrual parameters against Bloomberg.
- Utilize Bloomberg to research information regarding different financial instruments.
- Record equity, derivative and corporate action transactions in an accurate and timely manner.
Prepare your portfolio accountant resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your portfolio accountant resume.
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Choose from 10+ customizable portfolio accountant resume templates
Build a professional portfolio accountant resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your portfolio accountant resume.
Apply for portfolio accountant jobs
Now it's time to start searching for a portfolio accountant job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
How did you land your first portfolio accountant job
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Average portfolio accountant salary
The average portfolio accountant salary in the United States is $69,877 per year or $34 per hour. Portfolio accountant salaries range between $47,000 and $102,000 per year.
What am I worth?
How do portfolio accountants rate their job?
Portfolio accountant reviews
Reporting to a CPA Controller or CFO, always learning and not micromanaged. Treated as a professional always.
Business owners that do not know or understand compliance and GAAP, or the patience to follow the rules... generally common in small companies.
It's an office job.
Everything else. Too much anxiety, debts, low sallary (€700/month).
I like when the numbers fall in to place. I enjoy helping clients reach their financial goals. I am great with client consultations. I appreciate the chance to help plan for a client's needs.
I dislike situations where no planning had been done. I am bothered when a client has an accounting problem that could have been avoided by proper planning.
Updated January 8, 2025
