What does a community association manager do?
Community association managers are professionals that are employed by community associations to manage residences such as single-family homes, condominiums, planned communities, and cooperatives. They prepare financial statements and budgets, collect monthly assessments, negotiate with contractors, and help create a solution to complaints. They often interact with residents on a daily basis, manage daily affairs, and supervise the maintenance of the community and facilities such as community golf courses, pools, parking areas, and other public areas. They also help the board and owners abide by the rules and regulations of the association and government. Community association managers are also responsible for collecting association dues that are required for residents to pay.
What kind of training does a community association manager need?
Community association managers must have at least a high school diploma, but most employers prefer applicants that have a bachelor or master degree in business administration, finance, accounting, real estate, or other related field. Many community association managers have previous management experience. Most employers provide some on the job training for new community association managers to learn the policies and procedures of the community. Many community association managers earn voluntary professional designation to remain competitive in the field. They must stay up to date on the advancements in the field and changing of policies and many employers provide additional training programs periodically.
What are the prospects for a career as a community association manager?
Employment of community association managers is expected to grow faster than average for all professions, increasing 15% from 2006 to 2016 (1). The increase in new housing developments being organized into community associations will drive job growth.
Job prospects should be very good, especially for community association managers with a college degree and professional designation. Many job openings will arise from the need to replace community association managers that retire, transfer, or leave the field for other reasons.
How much do community association managers make?
As of November 2009, community association managers with less than 1 year experience earn average annual salaries between $29,934 and $40,634. Those with 1 to 4 years experience earn average annual salaries between $33,030 and $46,855 (2).
A career as a community association manager is an excellent choice for individuals with a strong interest in working for community associations and providing management activities. Community association managers must have a thorough knowledge of the policies of the community association. Flexibility, detail orientation, organization, and patience are essential characteristics. Community association managers must have excellent communication and interpersonal skills and be able to deal with a wide variety of residents, board members, people in the surrounding area, and other professionals.
