Accounting for Real Estate: Easy Ways to Keep Track of Finances
December 6, 2022
OHI
An escalating number of transactions, adherence to a plethora of state regulations, etc., are now part of the real estate industry’s standard operating procedures.
Most of all, real estate businesses must maintain accurate books because accounting is a crucial and integral aspect of the company’s success.
So, here is a comprehensive guide emphasizing accounting for real estate investment companies and the several aspects associated with it. Let’s go into detail.
Managing Real Estate Finances
It’s common to become lost in the woods of complexity when it involves managing real estate financial data and information.
While it’s easy to find justifications or put off dealing with monotonous financial management duties, real estate accountants and other professionals should always put their client’s best interests first and make proper accounting a top priority.
The fundamental objective of real estate accounting is to provide a true depiction of how your business is functioning throughout all situations so that you can make profitable and growth-oriented decisions with your funds.
It does not necessitate an in-depth understanding of all aspects of financial management but rather a dedication to learning, adapting, and staying on top of crucial accountancy obligations.
Key Financial Metrics to Track While Accounting for Real Estate Businessess
Irrespective of whether a real estate business is just getting underway or has already established a solid foundation, the following financial metrics will serve as helpful reminders of what the accountants for real estate should be keeping tabs on.
Revenue Generated Through Commissions
Selling properties and the commissions that come with them are real estate dealers’ primary income sources. Since this is the main source of revenue, professional real estate agents must keep meticulous records of all money received.
Instead of using multiple systems to keep track of different types of compensation, simply employ a digital accounting solution.
Licensing and Training Costs
Expenditure on renewal fees and ongoing training is required to retain a real estate license. You should treat these outlays as expenses and confirm with your accountants that they will be reflected in your annual expenditures.
Association Dues and Other Costs
As with many other professions, real estate agents might be obligated to contribute a part of their commission to the brokerage or employer. This sum is an outlay that must be borne.
As a bonus, the costs real estate agents and brokers must pay to join national organizations can often be written off as deductions.
Costs Incurred at Work
A realtor’s daily job responsibilities may call for using commonplace office equipment, tools, and ancillary administrative systems.
The costs of renting an office space, hosting an event, and paying for regular services like cleaning or maintenance would all be in the higher bracket.
Due to the increasing prevalence of mobile business models in the real estate industry, these expenses could be manageable.
Marketing and Advertising Costs
Engaging in advertising and marketing activities is an effective way to reach out to the target customer segment and let people know about the products and services the company provides.
Expenses like these may include website design and development, digital and online advertising, social media management, event hosting and sponsorships, etc.
Travelling Expenses
To effectively market, meet with clients, or keep an eye on a portfolio of properties, you need to spend a lot of time on the road. Ensure to incorporate these figures into the real estate accounting books.
Three Valuable Tips for Tracking Real Estate Finances
1. Conduct Monthly Reviews
Set up a monthly meeting to review the funds coming in and the expenditures going out.
If the figures are not where they should be, you will have the opportunity to pivot quickly and locate mistakes in the accounting system, thanks to the consistency of the process.
2. Employ a Precise Reporting Process
The concept of a monthly review is well supported by the need for precise data to produce reliable reports. After verifying the accuracy of the financial data, you can generate accurate reports for your company’s finances, such as:
Statements of income and expenses
All revenue sources accounting
Certificates and documents for tax purposes
Net cash flow statement
3. Categorize All Incoming and Outgoing Funds
Being prepared for tax filing by knowing how to categorise existing financial accounts correctly can save precious sales time and effort and reduce last-minute stress and hassles.
Once you have developed protocols and a routine of thorough itemization, this stage will be a breeze to execute.
Best Practices to Implement in Real Estate Accounting
1. Prioritize Digitization of the Business
Anyone can quickly scan receipts with the help of digital tools like customised smartphone applications and compact scanners.
If your employees frequently lose paper receipts or require a copy for tax or audit purposes, you will appreciate the ease with which one can retrieve digital receipts.
Cloud-based accounting systems are the best option for real estate businesses since they provide continuous, convenient access to crucial financial data. You can also use these tools to communicate information within teams easily.
As a result, you can access the data in real time and analyze it thoroughly to generate actionable insights into financing, eventually leading to informed, data-driven decisions.
3. Outsource Accounting Services
If your business doesn’t feel comfortable with accounting for its finances in-house, it’s best to hire professionals like certified and experienced accountants.
Not only would it guarantee precise documentation and reporting, but it would also relieve the management of a significant workload.
Conclusion
Accounting for real estate is a crucial element of managing investment properties. Though keeping precise financial records of property revenue, expenditures, and tax deductions are likely to rank low on most investors’ lists of favorite activities, doing so is essential for maintaining a healthy bottom line.
About Us
OHI is a sixteen-year-old real estate services company working with 75+ commercial and residential real estate developers, funds and property management companies across USA. Our deep expertise in real estate accounting, financial analysis, lease administration and asset management has helped clients cut associated costs by 40-50%. We now provide these services to a portfolio of 100000 units across clients.
Low Cost Property Accounting Services for Real Estate Companies: AP | AR | Reconciliations | Month End Closing | Financials | Year End Accounting | Reporting – VIEW MORE
