Case Study

Multifamily Accounting Backlog Clean-Up: Restoring Accuracy, Reconciliations, and Control for a Value-Add Portfolio

Client Snapshot

Industry:

Real Estate Investment & Property Management (Multifamily)

Location:

Arizona, USA

Portfolio:

Value-add multifamily units

Service Scope:

Backlog clean-up, full-book accounting, month-end close, and ongoing portfolio support

Key Highlights

Cost Savings:

Cleared accounting disorganization impacting reporting and decisions

Controls:

Reduced misclassifications and manual posting risk through structured processes

Operations:

Took ownership of AP, utilities, vendor management, and reconciliations

Delivery Model:

Dedicated team of 4 property accountants for ongoing close and reporting

Client Background

The client is a property management and real estate investment company specializing in acquiring and renovating underperforming multifamily properties. Operating primarily in Arizona, they manage a value-add portfolio where accurate property-level accounting and timely reporting are critical for cash flow oversight and investment decisions.

As the portfolio grew, the accounting function became disorganized with a significant backlog, reclassifications, and inconsistent communication. The client asked OHI to take ownership of the books and restore financial accuracy, reconciliation discipline, and reporting reliability.

Business Challenge

Backlog, mis postings, and unreconciled balances created reporting inaccuracies, delayed decisions, and elevated operational risk.

Duplicate Payments and Distorted Reporting

Duplicate payments were recorded for single transactions, impacting financial statement integrity.

Misclassification Across the General Ledger

Incorrect income GL mapping and reclassified transactions led to misstated revenue and reporting inconsistency.

Unreconciled Balance Sheet Accounts

Mortgage, escrow, bank, credit card, and tenant balance accounts were not reconciled, reducing cash and balance accuracy.

Operational Backlog and Property-Level Allocation Issues

Unpaid vendor invoices, entity-level misposting of fixed assets, and payroll allocation gaps created intercompany and GL imbalances.

These breakdowns compounded across properties and periods—making it difficult to trust numbers, manage payables, and monitor cash. The portfolio required a structured clean-up approach followed by a repeatable operating model for ongoing accounting, controls, and month-end reporting.

OHI's Approach & Solution

Clean-Up and Controls Stabilization

  • Reviewed payment processes and categorized AP, credit card activity, and journal entries to eliminate duplicate transactions
  • Corrected income GL mappings, created necessary GLs, and aligned revenue classification with tenant income streams
  • Established structured reconciliation processes for mortgage and escrow accounts using statement reviews and tracking schedules
  • Analyzed tenant AR, prepayments, and security deposit GLs; reclassified incorrect manual entries and introduced controls to restrict manual postings

Ongoing Portfolio Accounting and Financial Management

  • Deployed a dedicated team of four property accountants to manage the portfolio and own month-end close and financial reporting
  • Prepared property-level and consolidated statements, delivered timely owner reports, and completed key reconciliations
  • Managed AP, utilities, and vendor workflows while improving communication structure with property managers
  • Supported cash management and balancing of intercompany liabilities, with SOPs to standardize delivery

Results & Impact

KPIBefore OHIAfter OHIImprovement
Accounts Payable BacklogUnpaid invoices impacting vendor relationshipsAP, utilities, and vendor management actively managedImproved AP control
Payment AccuracyDuplicate payments recordedDuplicate transactions identified and addressedCleaner financials
GL ClassificationIncorrect income GL mapping and reclassesRevenue mapping aligned to tenant income streamsImproved reporting accuracy
Balance Sheet ReconciliationsBank, mortgage, escrow, and cards unreconciledStructured reconciliation with statements and schedulesHigher cash accuracy
Tenant Balance AlignmentAR, prepayments, and deposits not alignedReclasses completed and manual posting controls introducedReduced discrepancies
Operating DisciplineDisorganized workflows and communicationSOPs and structured PM communication cadenceRepeatable execution

OHI stabilized the client’s accounting by clearing backlog drivers, restoring reconciliation discipline, and improving classification accuracy. With a dedicated four-accountant delivery team and standardized SOPs, the client gained stronger control over AP, cash management, and intercompany balancing—supporting reliable month-end reporting going forward.

“OHI helped us bring order to a complex backlog—tightening reconciliations, improving vendor and utility workflows, and strengthening cash and intercompany visibility across the portfolio.”

Arizona-Based Multifamily Property Management Company

CEO

Clean up multifamily accounting backlogs and restore control

Stabilize AP, reconciliations, and property-level reporting with a dedicated team and SOP-driven month-end close.

Certificates And Memberships

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