Assistant Controller

Assistant Controller – Real Estate Accounting

Location: Houston, TX | Hybrid in office required.

Employment Type: Contract-to-Hire

Contract Duration: Estimated through mid Q1-27, with potential for longer-term opportunity

Pay Rate: $60-65/hour W2

Are you the right candidate for this opportunity Make sure to read the full description below.

Position Overview

Our client, a large, privately held, $2B+ REIT is seeking an experienced Assistant Controller to support the property and development accounting functions of a large, sophisticated real estate organization. This is an immediate contract opportunity created by a team transition. The ideal candidate will bring a strong background in commercial real estate accounting, with particular preference for experience supporting multifamily property and/or development accounting. This individual will provide senior-level review and accounting oversight across multiple projects and entities, including monthly reporting, general ledger activity, treasury-related functions, audit support, technical accounting matters, and payment approvals. While this position will not have formal direct reports during the contract period, the Assistant Controller will serve as a senior resource to accounting personnel, reviewing work, answering technical questions, and providing guidance to both domestic and offshore team members.

Key Responsibilities

• Review monthly and quarterly financial reporting for assigned properties, projects, and legal entities
• Perform high-level general ledger review and analysis to ensure the integrity and accuracy of accounting records
• Provide guidance on complex and technical accounting matters in accordance with GAAP
• Review and approve payment activity, including check runs and wire transfers
• Review bank reconciliations and support treasury-related activities
• Review cash activity, contribution and distribution calculations, funding requests, and cash flow projections
• Review funding requests to investors and lenders
• Support accounting for multifamily property operations and/or real estate development projects
• Review reserves, write-offs, and other accounting activity in accordance with governing agreements
• Maintain an understanding of loan agreements, joint venture agreements, property management agreements, leases, and other relevant legal documents
• Assist with accounting matters involving debt modifications, acquisitions/dispositions, interest capitalization, and other complex transactions
• Review accounting position memos for new or unusual accounting matters
• Support financial statement and internal audit activities, including significant audit testing during October and November
• Review tax projections and tax-preparation workpapers as needed
• Maintain and interpret internal controls, policies, and procedures designed to protect the integrity of financial reporting
• Provide accounting guidance and oversight to internal and offshore accounting team members
• Identify accounting or operational risks and recommend appropriate solutions
• Assist with process standardization and continuous improvement initiatives across the accounting organization
• Prepare and/or review ad hoc reporting for senior management and external stakeholders

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related discipline required. xhyhwjd
• CPA required
• 6+ years of progressive professional accounting experience minimum.
• Commercial real estate accounting experience required
• Strong preference for experience within multifamily, property accounting, and/or real estate development accounting
• Previous public accounting experience strongly preferred
• Prior experience providing leadership, review, or oversight to accounting personnel
• Strong understanding of GAAP and financial reporting
• Experience with general ledger accounting, reconciliations, treasury activities, audit support, and internal controls
• Ability to review complex accounting matters and provide practical guidance to accounting teams
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Comfortable working across multiple projects, entities, and stakeholders in a deadline-driven environment
• Experience with JD Edwards (JDE) and/or Entrada is highly desirable