How outsourcing your real estate accounts payable department can help your business
May 30, 2024

In real estate, the accounts payable (AP) department functions similarly to AP departments in other industries but with some distinct differences due to the nature of real estate transactions and operations. Here are a few ways in which an accounts payable department in real estate might differ:


Volume and Complexity of Invoices: Real estate companies often deal with a high volume of invoices from various vendors, including contractors, suppliers, utility companies, property management firms, and more. These invoices can vary significantly in terms of complexity, such as invoices for property maintenance, repairs, renovations, leasing expenses, property taxes, and utility bills. As such, the AP department in real estate needs to efficiently process a diverse range of invoices while ensuring accuracy and compliance.


Property-specific Expenses: Real estate companies typically manage multiple properties, each with its own set of expenses. The AP department must track and manage property-specific expenses, such as maintenance and repair costs, property taxes, insurance premiums, and utilities. This requires robust accounting systems and processes to allocate expenses accurately to the appropriate properties and projects.


Vendor Relationships: Building and maintaining strong relationships with vendors are crucial in real estate. The AP department may work closely with vendors to negotiate payment terms, resolve billing discrepancies, and ensure timely payments. Additionally, real estate companies often rely on long-term relationships with contractors, suppliers, and service providers, so the AP department plays a key role in fostering these relationships to ensure smooth operations.


Compliance and Regulations: Real estate transactions and operations are subject to various regulatory requirements and compliance standards, which can vary by jurisdiction. The AP department must stay updated on relevant regulations related to taxation, leasing, property management, and other aspects of real estate finance. Compliance with regulations such as lease accounting standards (e.g., ASC 842) and tax laws is essential to avoid penalties and ensure accurate financial reporting.


Budgeting and Forecasting: Real estate companies typically have extensive budgets and financial forecasts that the AP department contributes to by providing data on expenses and payables. This may involve analyzing historical spending patterns, projecting future expenses, and collaborating with other departments, such as finance and asset management, to develop accurate budgets and forecasts.


Overall, while the core functions of an accounts payable department remain consistent across industries, the unique characteristics of the real estate sector necessitate specific skills, processes, and expertise to effectively manage payables and support the financial health of the organization.


If you have any questions about how SX Business Services can assist you with your outsourced accounts payable needs, please reach out today!

5 Costly Accounting Mistakes in Rental & Leasing—and How Outsourcing Can Save You

By Lindsay Van Kauwenberg • January 22, 2026
Managing rental properties and leasing agreements is no small feat. Between tenant payments, maintenance costs, and compliance requirements, even minor accounting mistakes can lead to major financial consequences. Unfortunately, these errors are more common than you think—and they can cost property managers thousands in lost revenue, penalties, and inefficiencies. Here are five common accounting mistakes rental and leasing companies make—and why outsourcing your accounting could be the smartest move for your business. 1. Mismanaging Security Deposits Security deposits are subject to strict state regulations. They must be properly recorded, held in separate accounts, and returned within legal timeframes. Misallocating these funds or failing to track them accurately can result in legal penalties, tenant disputes, and reputational damage. Example: A property manager accidentally uses a tenant’s security deposit for operating expenses. When the tenant moves out, the funds aren’t available—leading to legal action and fines. 2. Inaccurate Rent Tracking Late payments, partial payments, and rent increases can easily cause errors in your books. Missing even one entry can throw off cash flow and make financial reporting unreliable. This often leads to incorrect budgeting and missed opportunities for growth. Impact: Poor rent tracking can result in underreported income, making your financial statements inaccurate and potentially causing tax issues. 3. Overlooking Maintenance Expense Allocation Property maintenance costs often get lumped together or misclassified. This can distort your profit margins and lead to incorrect tax deductions. For multi-unit properties, failing to allocate expenses properly can make it impossible to assess which units are profitable. 4. Failure to Reconcile Escrow and Operating Accounts Rental businesses often manage multiple accounts for deposits, operating expenses, and reserves. Skipping reconciliations can allow discrepancies—or even fraud—to go unnoticed. Regular reconciliation is essential for catching errors before they spiral out of control. 5. Ignoring Compliance and Tax Rules Rental income is subject to specific tax regulations, and mistakes in reporting can trigger audits or fines. Many companies also fail to properly account for depreciation on rental properties, missing out on significant tax benefits. Why Outsourcing Is the Solution Outsourcing your accounting to professionals who specialize in property management offers key advantages: Industry Expertise: Outsourced teams understand rental-specific regulations and best practices. Improved Accuracy: Reduce costly errors in rent tracking, deposits, and expense allocation. Cost Savings: Avoid hiring full-time staff and reduce overhead. Scalability: Easily handle growth as you add more properties. Peace of Mind: Stay compliant and focus on tenant satisfaction instead of spreadsheets. Bottom Line Simple accounting mistakes in rental and leasing operations can cost thousands in lost revenue, penalties, and inefficiencies. Outsourcing ensures accuracy, compliance, and financial clarity—so you can focus on growing your portfolio. Ready to eliminate costly mistakes and streamline your accounting? Contact us today to learn how outsourcing can transform your rental business.

What to Look for When Choosing an Outsourced Real Estate Accounting Firm

By Lindsay Van Kauwenberg • July 9, 2025
Choosing the right outsourced accounting partner requires a careful evaluation of several key factors.

SX Business Services Employee Spotlight: Edward Keogh, Accounts Payable Administrator

By Lindsay Van Kauwenberg • May 1, 2025
SX Business Services is proud to introduce our newest Accounts Payable Administrator, Ed Keogh. His first job out of school was in financial services in Dublin where he spent 7 years working in various roles in the branch. Originally from southwest Dublin, he emigrated to the US in 2003. Married for 22 years to his lovely wife Sue they share two sons together, Aodhan (18) and Ryan (12) and a beautiful love story. They met at a bar in Dublin one Wednesday night and hit it off immediately while she was travelling through Europe. After a week or two of dating they took a vacation together and before the trip ended, he asked her to marry him with only his Claddagh ring. The importance of family was instilled in Ed as he was raised in a small 3-bedroom house with his parents and 6 siblings. He tries to return to Ireland once a year and brings his family back when he can. He loves watching, playing, and coaching football (OK soccer) and has been a volunteer Treasurer for Norwood Youth Soccer since 2019. His favorite team is Manchester United, and his favorite US soccer team is the NE Revolution. Additionally, he enjoys woodworking and has a small woodshop in his basement at home. He and his wife have traveled extensively together through the years and have also brought their kids to places such as: Ireland (obviously), Mexico, Canada, Spain, and Dominican Republic. Once they find a place they like, they are known to go back. Ed in his own words: What do you like about working at SX so far? “I love how friendly everyone is since I only started last month. I love the collaborative spirit as well. I love the work, my team and everyone I have come into contact with here.”