Financial Controller

Job Description

Controller / Director of Property Accounting

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Location: New York, NY

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Reports To: SVP, Finance & Analytics

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Position Type: Full-Time | Leadership Position | Hybrid

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About Our Client

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Our client is a growing real estate investment and property management platform specializing in urban residential and student housing properties across multiple markets.

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The organization is investing in strengthening its accounting, finance, reporting, and operational infrastructure to support continued growth. As part of this initiative, our client is building a more sophisticated and scalable finance function with stronger financial controls, standardized reporting, and improved processes.

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Position Overview

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Our client is seeking a hands-on, technically strong Controller / Director of Property Accounting to serve as the second-in-command to the SVP of Finance & Analytics.

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This individual will oversee the monthly close process, corporate general ledger, multi-entity consolidation, financial reporting, internal controls, and audit coordination across the company's property entities and investment funds.

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The ideal candidate brings a strong foundation in real estate accounting, experience with complex multi-entity structures, and the ability to lead accounting operations in a growing, entrepreneurial environment.

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This is an opportunity to help build and professionalize the accounting function, establish scalable processes, and ensure timely, accurate financial reporting.

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Key Responsibilities

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Accounting Operations & Financial Close

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• Own and manage the monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close process across multiple property entities and investment funds.
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• Establish and maintain a disciplined close calendar with clear responsibilities, deadlines, and deliverables.
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• Ensure property-level trial balances are received, reviewed, reconciled, and ready for consolidation.
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• Target completion of property-level accounting by business day eight and the consolidated monthly close within 15 business days.
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• Oversee the corporate general ledger, journal entries, reconciliations, accruals, and accounting adjustments.
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• Identify opportunities to streamline accounting workflows and reduce manual processes.
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Consolidations & Financial Reporting

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• Lead multi-entity consolidation across the real estate portfolio and associated investment funds.
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• Prepare and review consolidated financial statements and supporting schedules.
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• Ensure accurate and timely corporate, property, fund-level, and investor reporting.
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• Maintain consistent accounting policies and treatment across entities.
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• Research and resolve complex accounting issues, serving as the organization's internal technical accounting resource.
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• Support lender reporting and compliance requirements.
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Internal Controls, Audit & Compliance

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• Develop, document, and implement standardized accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls.
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• Serve as the primary point of contact for external auditors.
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• Coordinate annual audits, including preparation of supporting schedules and documentation.
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• Ensure compliance with applicable GAAP requirements and internal reporting standards.
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• Strengthen processes to improve reporting accuracy, audit readiness, and accountability.
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Property Accounting & Team Leadership

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• Oversee the property accounting function and partner closely with Senior Property Accountants.
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• Review property-level financial information and ensure accurate integration into consolidated reporting.
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• Provide leadership, guidance, and technical support to the accounting team.
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• Establish clear performance expectations, reporting standards, and accountability.
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• Work closely with property operations and finance leadership to resolve accounting issues and improve information flow.
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• Coordinate effectively with outsourced accounting and other external service providers.
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Systems & Process Improvement

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• Support the optimization of Yardi and related accounting and financial reporting systems.
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• Improve data integrity, reconciliation processes, and reporting consistency across the portfolio.
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• Identify opportunities for automation, standardization, and improved financial controls.
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• Partner with the SVP Finance & Analytics to build a scalable accounting infrastructure that supports future growth.
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Qualifications

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Required / Targeted Experience

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• Approximately 8–12+ years of progressive accounting experience, including leadership experience in a Controller, Director of Accounting, or similar role.
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• Strong experience in real estate accounting, preferably within multifamily, residential, student housing, or a comparable property-intensive environment.
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• Demonstrated experience managing monthly closes, multi-entity consolidations, and financial statement preparation.
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• Strong understanding of GAAP, general ledger accounting, reconciliations, and internal controls.
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• Experience working with property-level accounting teams and overseeing accounting operations.
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• Ability to manage external audits and complex reporting requirements.
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• Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
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• Comfortable operating in a hands-on, fast-paced environment where processes are being improved and standardized.
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Preferred Qualifications

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• CPA designation and public accounting experience.
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• Experience with Yardi or similar property management/accounting systems.
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• Experience with real estate investment funds, fund accounting, and investor reporting.
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• Background in a growing, privately held, institutionally backed, or entrepreneurial real estate organization.
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• Experience building accounting processes, improving controls, and implementing operational efficiencies.
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What Success Looks Like

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Within the first year, the Controller / Director of Property Accounting will be expected to:

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• Consistently deliver the consolidated monthly close within 15 business days , with property ledgers received and accepted by business day eight.
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• Produce accurate, timely consolidated and fund-level financial statements.
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• Ensure investor reporting is complete, reliable, and ready for executive review.
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• Successfully coordinate a clean annual audit with minimal findings and no recurring issues.
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• Implement documented accounting procedures and internal controls that support a scalable organization.
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• Build a disciplined, accountable accounting team capable of delivering consistent reporting.
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• Reduce manual reconciliations, improve financial data quality, and strengthen coordination between property accounting and corporate finance.
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Why Join Our Client?

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• Leadership Opportunity: Serve as the accounting leader and second-in-command to the SVP of Finance & Analytics.
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• Meaningful Impact: Help build and strengthen the financial infrastructure of a growing real estate platform.
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• Broad Exposure: Work across property accounting, corporate reporting, investment funds, and financial operations.
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• Executive Visibility: Partner directly with senior finance leadership and other key stakeholders.
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• Opportunity to Build: Implement processes, strengthen controls, and create a more efficient, scalable accounting organization.
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