COMPANY SUMMARY
Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE: ESRT) is a NYC-focused REIT that owns and operates a portfolio of well-leased, top of tier, modernized, amenitized, and well-located office, retail, and multifamily assets. ESRT’s flagship Empire State Building, the “World's Most Famous Building,” features its iconic Observatory, ranked the #1 Top Attraction in New York City for the fourth consecutive year in Tripadvisor’s 2025 Travelers’ Choice Awards: Best of the Best Things to Do. The Company is a recognized leader in energy efficiency and indoor environmental quality. As of September 30, 2025, ESRT’s portfolio is comprised of approximately 7.8 million rentable square feet of office space, 0.8 million rentable square feet of retail space and 743 residential units. More information about Empire State Realty Trust can be found at esrtreit.com and by following ESRT on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, and LinkedIn.
The dedicated team at ESRT is a collection of diverse individuals with a shared passion for excellence and a keen eye toward future growth. Headquartered in New York City, we harness the energy of the city in everything we do. We care for one another, work hard, and have a lot of fun doing it! We are Certified™ as a Great Place to Work® by the global authority, Great Place to Work®, on workplace culture, employee experience, and leadership behaviors. We prioritize and invest in the health and wellness of employees to attract, develop, and retain top-tier talent. ESRT values continuous employee development and encourages colleagues to excel in their roles and adapt to emerging business needs. From our crown jewel, The Empire State Building, to incredible buildings modernized for the 21st century, to outstanding customer service, and our decade-long leadership position in sustainability and energy efficient portfolio that is 100% fully powered by renewable wind electricity, we take pride in our work. ESRT seeks an equally passionate colleague to join the team, understand the vision and help achieve that vision.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Staff Accountant plays a critical role in the day-to-day property accounting operations for Empire State Realty Trust’s diversified real estate portfolio. This position supports the Assistant Property Controller and Property Accountants by ensuring accurate financial reporting, timely monthly closing, and strong internal controls across assigned properties. This role requires a detail-oriented, analytical professional who can manage multiple priorities, collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, and develop a deep understanding of property-level financial performance. The Staff Accountant contributes to the integrity of financial data, supports audits and budgeting processes, and helps drive operational excellence across the portfolio.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Review expense coding and amounts
- Prepare monthly close work papers with detailed analysis, including account reconciliations, roll-forwards, and supporting schedules
- Prepare monthly journal entries, including period-end accruals and reserves
- Prepare monthly financial reports
- Prepare operating expense and contract accruals
- Prepare utility accruals
- Perform data entry as needed
- Assist with preparation of tenant escalations for billing, including operating expenses and real estate taxes (i.e. opex)
- Perform straight-line rent analysis under supervision
- Manage and reconcile security deposits
- Prepare and submit monthly sales tax reports
- Provide support for internal and external audits
- Assist with the annual budget process
- Assist with quarterly and monthly variance analyses
- Support ad hoc projects as assigned
WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE
- Consistently deliver accurate and timely monthly closes in accordance with internal deadlines
- Maintain well-organized, supportable account reconciliations and work papers that meet audit and internal control standards
- Build strong, collaborative relationships with property managers, accounts receivable, lease administration, and accounting team members
- Proactively identify and resolve discrepancies, issues, and process inefficiencies
- Develop a comprehensive understanding of assigned properties’ financial performance and key operational drivers
- Effectively manage multiple priorities while maintaining attention to detail and data integrity
- Demonstrate accountability and ownership over assigned responsibilities and deliverables
- Contribute positively to team culture through reliability, communication, and a solutions-oriented mindset
REQUIRED SKILLS / ABILITIES
- Foundational understanding of accounting principles and financial reporting
- Experience working with accounting systems; exposure to Yardi is a plus
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including basic formulas and data organization
- Strong attention to detail and accuracy
- Strong communication skills
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
- BA/BS degree in Accounting
- Minimum of two years accounting experience
- Real estate experience; commercial experience is preferred
- Certifications such as CPA is a plus
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
- Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
- Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT
- At ESRT, like our tenants, our employees come from everywhere. We foster a collaborative work environment that captures top talent and cultivates the best ideas. As a Great Place to Work® Certified employer, we are committed to maintaining our positive work culture where employees are engaged and can grow and develop. In addition, ESRT employees embody our Company Culture & Success Factors -
- Adaptable – you are a self-starter who’s able to quickly digest and execute new processes to work both collaboratively and independently
- Dynamic – you are solutions-oriented, aim to improve processes and implement efficiency, and offer insightful feedback to improve ESRT
- Dependable – you take a strong sense of ownership and accountability over your work
- Passionate – you keep up with industry trends and are excited about the potential to propel the industry forward with a “roll-up-your-sleeves” attitude
- Curious – you consistently look for new ways to work smarter, not just harder
- Ethical – you treat others with respect, act with integrity in how you perform your work, and embrace our collaborative culture
- Positive – you possess a service-oriented attitude with excellent follow through
BENEFITS
- Competitive base salary and bonus
- Health/Dental/Vision insurance
- Company sponsored Life, AD&D, STD (with Salary Continuation), and LTD Insurance
- Voluntary Enhanced LTD Program
- Voluntary Hospital, Accident, and Cancer Programs
- 401(k) with 100% match up to 5%
- Paid parental leave
- Pre-tax transit accounts
- Employee Assistance Program for emotional, financial, and legal support
WELL-BEING
- Generous paid time off
- Flex remote work time
- Flex Summer Fridays
- Employee engagement programs
- Volunteer time off
- Continuing education
- Complimentary Empire State Building Observatory access
- Complimentary gym membership and other wellness benefits
- Employee Discount Programs
ESRT is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing a workplace free from harassment and discrimination. We celebrate the unique differences of our employees because they drive curiosity, innovation, and the success of our business. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, reproductive choices, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, pregnancy, parental status, caregiver status, genetic information, political affiliation, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, training, working conditions, transfer, job assignments, benefits, layoff, and termination. Reasonable accommodations that do not create an undue hardship for the Company are available for applicants and employees with disabilities or sincerely held religious beliefs.