Lead Accountant - Entry Fee, Capital Expenditure

Responsible for owning the operational execution of assigned accounting workstreams and ensuring the quality, consistency, and timely completion of team deliverables. This role coordinates close activities, reviews and approves designated work, manages workflow and dependencies, and serves as the first escalation point for operational accounting matters.

Experience is Everything.

At LCS, experience is everything. We provide you the opportunity to use your talents in a progressive, growing organization that makes a positive difference in the lives of the seniors we serve. If you are seeking an organization that gives back, you’ll love working here. Our principles and hospitality promises define our company culture. LCS employees can be found participating in volunteer activities, getting involved in our committees or collaborating with team members in our innovative workspace. You’ll find several opportunities to grow as a professional, serve the community, and enhance the lives of seniors. 

What You’ll Do:

Accounting Workstream Leadership: 

• Lead assigned Entry Fee and CapEx accounting workstreams and coordinate related month-end, quarter-end, and year-end activities.
• Serve as operational owner for designated accounting processes across multiple communities or portfolios.
• Establish task sequencing, monitor deadlines and dependencies, and drive completion of open items.
• Coordinate workload distribution within assigned workstreams and communicate resource or deadline risks.
• Ensure workstream objectives, close requirements, and stakeholder commitments are achieved timely.

Review & Quality Oversight: 

• Review and approve designated journal entries, account reconciliations, resident refund calculations, contract summaries, capital project schedules, and supporting workpapers before management review.
• Confirm deliverables comply with accounting policies, documentation standards, and internal control requirements.
• Validate completeness and accuracy of supporting schedules used in financial reporting and audit processes.
• Identify recurring errors, process breakdowns, or training gaps and coordinate corrective action.
• Monitor aging reconciling items and drive timely resolution or escalation.

Process Ownership & Controls 

• Own procedures, controls, documentation, and operating routines for designated accounting processes.
• Maintain standard operating procedures and ensure consistent execution across communities and team members.
• Monitor execution of key controls and coordinate remediation of identified deficiencies.
• Lead workstream-level improvements that increase accuracy, efficiency, consistency, and control effectiveness.
• Coordinate implementation of approved accounting policy changes within assigned workstreams.

Team Leadership & Partnership 

• Provide day-to-day direction, technical guidance, and quality feedback to Accountants and Senior Accountants.
• Support onboarding, training, coaching, and cross-training across assigned processes.
• Serve as the first escalation point for operational accounting and workflow issues.
• Lead routine collaboration with Community Resources, Plant/Operations, AP, Core Accounting, Technical Accounting, and BI/IT.
• Represent the team on assigned process improvements, system changes, testing, and implementation activities.

What We’re Looking For: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting; CPA or progress toward CPA preferred.
• 4-6 years of progressive accounting experience, including ownership of complex reconciliations and close deliverables.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP, general ledger accounting, internal controls, and audit-ready documentation.
• Experience with contract accounting, fixed assets, capital projects, or construction-in-progress strongly preferred.
• Advanced Excel and accounting system skills.
• Demonstrated ability to independently apply professional judgment in leading assigned accounting workstreams, resolving operational accounting issues, and making sound recommendations regarding process execution, controls, and risk mitigation.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy with the ability to review, validate, and interpret accounting deliverables, reconciliations, accounting documentation, and supporting analyses.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to provide guidance, coaching, and constructive feedback to team members and stakeholders.
• Proven ability to manage multiple deadlines, coordinate competing priorities, and drive timely completion of workstream deliverables during close cycles.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across departments, build strong working relationships, and influence outcomes without formal authority.

Why Join Us? 

• Industry Leader. 
• Inclusive & collaborative culture. 
• Top Workplace USA. 
• Top Workplace Iowa. 
• Charity and community involvement. 
• Outstanding advancement opportunities. 
• Ongoing career development. 

Benefits

Competitive pay, great benefits and vacation time. We are an equal opportunity employer with benefits including medical, dental, life insurance, disability, 401(K) with company match and paid parental leave. 

Our Commitment 

LCS creates living experiences that enhance the lives of seniors. You’ll see this commitment in our people. They’re talented, dedicated professionals who truly care about residents, with each conducting his or her work with integrity, honesty and transparency according to the principles of LCS. We strive to help every community succeed—strengthening available resources, establishing proven practices that lead to long-term growth and value for those living in, working for and affiliated with the community. Check us out on our website: https://www.lcsliving.com

Additional Information 

Travel frequency: 0-10% 

Estimated Salary: $74,000 - $93,000 

The actual title & salary will carefully consider a wide range of factors, including your skills, qualifications, experience, and other relevant factors. 

A POST-OFFER BACKGROUND CHECK, INCLUDING REFERENCES IS REQUIRED.

LCS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.