Susan Higgins Email and Phone Number

Manage Accounting and Finance Department with a team of 8 professionals (including cash management, reporting, payroll and benefits) for a privately owned company with a diverse portfolio of real estate and operating businesses. Report directly to the partners.

Responsible for a portfolio of 30 commercial office, retail, redevelopment, residential properties encompassing more than 6 million square feet. Core investments are in luxury high street retail, mixed use and multifamily properties in New York, Boston, Miami, London, Montreal and Toronto. Responsible for accounting for all property transactions: acquisitions, dispositions, refinancings, sale/purchase of JV interests as well as family investments in real estate limited partnerships.Responsible for the preparation and review of all reporting and financial statements.Prepare all debt covenant calculations to ensure lender compliance.Cash Management and Treasury functionsWork closely with the asset management department.Develop policy and procedure for accounting department and entire company.

Directed 2 Vice President – Assistant Controllers of Real Property, 6 Property Analysts, and 16 Senior Property Accountants/Property Accountants responsible for a portfolio of over 85 commercial office, retail, redevelopment, residential properties encompassing 30 million square feet. · Responsible for consolidating & analyzing reporting for two divisions and six teams.· Responsible for accounting for all property transactions: acquisitions, dispositions, refinancings, sale/purchase of JV interests.· Responsible for the preparation of all property level reporting for the quarterly financial supplemental package.· Responsible for completion of the accounting close for all properties within 10 days of month-end.· Responsible for the preparation and review of all joint venture reporting, including audited financial statements.· Responsible for all debt covenant calculations to ensure lender compliance.· Responsible for all property sales and use tax filings: monthly, quarterly, annually.· Worked with and provided information to the leasing, property management and construction departments.· Managed and successfully settled all tenant audits of escalations (operating expenses, real estate taxes, etc.).· Developed & implemented an improved method of billing and monitoring portfolio escalation income in the areas of electric, real estate taxes and operating expenses resulting in increased revenues and tenant billings.· Worked with construction department on project costs and draw requests.· Member of the implementation team for the company-wide conversion to Yardi Voyager. Direct interaction with IT Department on maintenance and customization of Yardi for the department.· Assisted in the preparation of quarterly & annual filings required by a publicly traded REIT including Forms 10K, 10Q and the Annual Report. Provided information and support to the executive group for earnings calls, presentations and board meetings.