Real Estate Accounting and Its Importance in 2023
Stay updated with current accounting standards, business compliance, tax preparation tips, and latest news.
19 Apr 2023
Accounting provides financial insights of a business and plays a pivotal role in its success. Accounting is an important yet tedious task for efficient running of any business operations but accounting for real estate and construction business can be overwhelming.
Real estate business operations are complex and unique, with a number of assets, listings, clients, finances, etc to manage. Staying on top of constantly changing inventory, managing client expectations amidst fluctuating interest rates and adhering to tight industry regulations are some of the daily challenges faced by the real estate, construction and property management companies. With all these in focus, you need a strong and experienced accounting practice to ensure business sustainability and growth. Accounts team in the real estate and construction business need to oversee and document all business dealings including the buying, selling, and leasing of properties.
An experienced real estate and construction tax accountant can not only help in ensuring tax compliance and preparing financial reports, they also support in audit preparation, investment analysis, devise real estate business strategies, cost control, securing finances, comply with regulations and litigation support services for real estate and construction. It is for this reason that an experienced real estate accountant is considered as a core member of the business who helps ensure a sound business foundation.
Importance of Real Estate Accounting
An efficient real estate accounting process provides a strong foundation for your real estate, construction and property management business to take informed decisions, flourish and win new clients. Correct and on-time financial insights enable you to take effective financial decisions about future projects and opportunities, giving you an edge over your competitors. It makes sure tax regulations are followed and that you are well prepared for the tax season. Whether you sell small properties or provide property management services, operate at small scale or generate millions of dollars annually, are just getting started or have been an established player, the need for a sound accounting process is equally relevant for business sustainability and success. Here is a list of some common reasons highlighting the importance of real estate accounting:- Provides a clear understanding of your financial situation
- Helps track business performance year on year
- Effective control on cash flow while highlighting potential issues sooner
- Streamlined books for timely and accurate yearly tax returns and take advantage of tax deductions available
- Adherence to current business regulations while ensuring legal compliance
- Provide shareholders, investors, lenders, and other stakeholders with timely and accurate quarterly and annual financial statements and reports
What tasks does a real estate accountant perform?
The management of real estate assets involves several financial tasks that fall within the purview of a Real estate accountant Surrey. The main duties of an accountant in real estate are:- Bookkeeping: Maintaining correct financial records, such as the general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and the rent roll.
- Budgeting: Includes planning and managing the property's budget, foreseeing revenue and expenses, and monitoring cash flow.
- Financial reporting: This includes creating financial statements including balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements as well as giving management and stakeholders frequent updates.
- Tax compliance: Ensuring that the property complies with all applicable local, state, and federal tax laws and regulations, including timely filing of tax returns and payments.
- Audit preparation: Includes preparing for and participating in audits, responding to auditor inquiries, and ensuring that all crucial financial data is accurate and up-to-date.
- Lease administration: Maintaining accurate records of leases, rent rolls, and security deposits; keeping track of adherence to all lease terms.
- Investment analysis: Includes financial estimates, market analyses, and property evaluations. It involves examining possible investments and offering recommendations to management.
- Cost control: The process of seeing prospective cost-cutting possibilities and implementing cost-controlling measures, such as negotiating lower pricing with vendors and contractors.
