Michele Chen
Lewisville
Summary
Experienced accounting professional bringing expertise in financial management, budgeting, and regulatory compliance. Strong focus on team collaboration and fostering a culture of transparency, support, and trust. Adaptable to changing needs and trusted for reliability. Well-versed in advanced accounting software and regulatory standards, consistently driving results and optimizing financial performance.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Assistant Controller
Stream Realty Partners, LP
01.2023 - Current
- Oversees the day-to-day accounting operations for a team of six accountants and one accounting manager.
- Leads six client portfolios consisting of 46 office/industrial properties across multiple states.
- Oversees the month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close processes, ensuring timely and accurate financial reporting.
- Oversees the budget and forecast process to ensure all revenue, expenses, capital, and debt service are properly projected, including cash flow forecasting.
- Analyzes variances in financial statements, providing insights for client decision-making and operational adjustments.
- Ensures timely sales tax return filings and property tax payments.
- Works directly with external auditors during annual audits.
- Hire, coach, and develop accounting staff.
- Manages team allocations to ensure work is fairly distributed and aligns with each team members' career goals.
- Works closely with the Accounting VPs and Senior VP on new initiatives to streamline processes and to improve and grow the department. Current/recent projects include new-hire onboarding, lease administration, and corporate department restructuring.
Accounting Manager
Stream Realty Partners, LP
01.2022 - 12.2022
- Managed a team of four accountants.
- Supervised all accounting functions, ensuring compliance with company policies.
- Reviewed reports to ensure accuracy prior to the accountants' submission to the clients.
- Provided initial onboarding training for all team members.
- Mentored junior accounting staff, laying a strong foundation for professional growth and improved team performance.
- Conducted the annual budget and year-end OPE reconciliation trainings and oversaw both processes.
- Co-led a system migration for a client from the Stream Yardi database to the Client Yardi database from the planning, implementation, and testing phases to ensure all information was migrated properly.
- Enhanced monthly financial reporting processes by reviewing existing reporting files, and developing a standard reporting package to use across the team.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to resolve discrepancies.
- Mid-year and year-end team performance reviews.
Managing Senior Accountant
Stream Realty Partners, LP
01.2020 - 12.2021
- Reduced portfolio to four office properties and began managing two accountants.
Senior Property Accountant
Stream Realty Partners LP
01.2019 - 12.2019
- Full cycle account for six complex-level office properties.
- Mentored junior accountants, providing guidance on best practices in property accounting and financial management.
- Addressed questions and provided requested documentation to external auditors.
- Assisted in a new GL account mapping project.
- Unofficially labeled the "lease interpretor" of our team due to my previous experience at Mohr Partners. Helped the team navigate through complicated lease language and gray areas.
Property Accountant II
Stream Realty Partners LP
06.2017 - 12.2018
- Full-cycle accounting for three office properties and five industrial properties.
- Prepared month-end, quarter-end, and year-end financial statement packages, including creating and posting journal entries.
- Accounts receivable and accounts payable.
- Bank reconciliations.
- Balance sheet reconciliations.
- Prepared annual budgets and reforecasts in partnership with the property management, leasing, and construction management teams.
- Conducted variance analysis to identify discrepancies between budgeted and actual figures, recommending corrective actions if needed.
- Cash management and ensuring the critical timely payment of utilities, taxes, loans, and owner distributions.
- Compliance with SOC I requirements.
- Worked closely with internal and external teams to ensure all activity is properly reflected in the financials.
- Participated in recurring client calls to discuss any financial questions or concerns.
Lease Administration Accounting Specialist
Mohr Partners, Inc.
08.2013 - 06.2017
- Managed the commercial real estate portfolio for several multi-million dollar clients.
- Abstracted and interpreted leases and perform quality control.
- Tracked critical dates, options, and KPIs.
- Audited year-end operating expense reconciliations and review real estate tax bills.
- Journal entries for GL coding and cost center allocations.
- Monthly, quarterly, annual, ad-hoc reporting and variance analysis.
- Provided database training to new clients and users.
Accounts Receivable Specialist
Mohr Partners, Inc.
06.2011 - 08.2013
- Responsible for service and commission invoicing for all 22 Mohr offices.
- Weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reporting to management.
- Provided support during annual audits.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to resolve billing discrepancies efficiently.
- Reviewed aging reports and followed up on outstanding invoices to ensure timely collections.
- Reduced delinquent A/R from over 40% to less than 10% within the first year.
Tax Return Preparer
KPMG, LLP
01.2011 - 04.2011
- Interned in the International Executive Services Tax Department.
- Reviewed work papers and prepared tax returns for expatriates, inpatriates, foreign nationals, and non-residents, ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations.
Education
Master of Science - Accounting
The University of Texas At Dallas
Richardson, TX12-2012
Bachelor of Science - Accounting
The University of Texas At Dallas
Richardson, TX05-2011
Skills
- Team leadership
- Staff development
- Client portfolio management
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Real estate accounting
- Lease interpretation
- Compliance with GAAP
- Expense allocation management
- Audit management
- Process improvement
Certification
- Certified Public Accountant, September 2018
Timeline
Assistant Controller
Stream Realty Partners, LP
01.2023 - Current
Accounting Manager
Stream Realty Partners, LP
01.2022 - 12.2022
Managing Senior Accountant
Stream Realty Partners, LP
01.2020 - 12.2021
Senior Property Accountant
Stream Realty Partners LP
01.2019 - 12.2019
Property Accountant II
Stream Realty Partners LP
06.2017 - 12.2018
Lease Administration Accounting Specialist
Mohr Partners, Inc.
08.2013 - 06.2017
Accounts Receivable Specialist
Mohr Partners, Inc.
06.2011 - 08.2013
Tax Return Preparer
KPMG, LLP
01.2011 - 04.2011
Master of Science - Accounting
The University of Texas At Dallas
Bachelor of Science - Accounting
The University of Texas At Dallas