Fixed Asset and Lease Specialist

Department: Accounting 500002

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Sterling Heights

Description

The Fixed Asset and Lease Specialist will be responsible for managing the company's asset portfolio and lease agreements as a standalone position, ensuring compliance with tax regulations and optimizing tax benefits. This role requires a self-directed professional who can work independently with minimal supervision while building and maintaining effective relationships with key stakeholders across finance, legal, and operations teams. The ideal candidate will be resourceful, comfortable working in an evolving environment with limited established processes, and skilled at creating structure where needed.

Key Responsibilities

Asset Management:

• Independently maintain and update the asset register, ensuring all assets are accurately recorded and depreciated according to tax regulations
• Conduct regular audits of physical and intangible assets to verify their existence and condition
• Coordinate with the finance team to ensure proper capitalization and disposal of assets
• Develop and implement asset tracking processes and controls where gaps exist

Lease Management:

• Independently oversee the administration of lease agreements, including renewals, terminations, and amendments
• Ensure compliance with lease accounting standards, specifically ASC 842, and tax regulations
• Analyze lease agreements to identify and optimize tax benefits
• Build relationships with landlords, lessors, and internal stakeholders to facilitate smooth lease operations

Tax Compliance:

• Collaborate with internal tax team and external tax advisors to ensure all asset and lease-related transactions comply with local, state, and federal tax laws
• Prepare and review tax filings related to asset and lease management
• Stay current on changes in tax legislation and accounting standards that impact asset and lease management
• Proactively identify tax planning opportunities

Financial Analysis and Reporting:

• Prepare regular reports on asset and lease performance, including financial metrics and tax implications
• Provide insights and recommendations to senior management based on financial analysis
• Support budgeting and forecasting processes related to asset and lease management
• Create and maintain documentation for processes and procedures

Process Development:

• Identify opportunities to improve existing processes or create new ones where needed
• Research and recommend best practices for asset and lease management
• Work cross-functionally to implement solutions with minimal guidance

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in asset management, lease management, or related financial operations
• Strong knowledge of tax regulations and financial reporting
• Experience with lease accounting standards (ASC 842 preferred)
• Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal supervision
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills
• Proficiency in accounting software and Microsoft Office Suite (advanced Excel skills required)

Preferred:

• CPA, CMA, or equivalent certification
• Experience with both fixed asset and lease management (or strong experience in one area with willingness to learn the other)
• Background in tax accounting or corporate tax
• Experience with ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, etc.)
• Previous experience in a startup or growing company environment
• Experience building processes and procedures from the ground up

Essential Traits:

• Self-directed and resourceful - able to identify problems and create solutions independently
• Comfortable with ambiguity - thrives in environments with evolving processes and limited structure
• Strong stakeholder management - builds effective working relationships across departments
• Detail-oriented with strong problem-solving abilities
• Adaptable - comfortable wearing multiple hats and taking on varied responsibilities
• Excellent communication skills - can explain complex concepts to non-technical stakeholders
• Strong project management skills - able to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines