Controller

Job Description

Job Description

Controller – Real Estate Property Management [Reston | in-office]

Are you a hands-on  small company Controller who thrives in a collaborative environment and understands the fast-moving demands of  real estate property management ? This is an outstanding opportunity to join a well-established organization where you can make a visible impact across accounting, reporting, compliance, cash management, and team leadership.

We are seeking an experienced Controller to partner closely with the President and oversee the day-to-day financial management and tax-related activities of a diverse real estate portfolio. The ideal candidate will bring strong hands-on property management accounting experience , a proactive leadership style, and the ability to operate effectively in a  small company setting where versatility, accountability, and sound judgment are essential.

Why This Role Stands Out

• High-impact leadership role with direct partnership to executive management
• Opportunity to oversee accounting and financial operations across a multi-property residential portfolio
• Visible role in a stable, team-oriented organization with a people-first culture
• Ideal for a  Controller from a small company environment who enjoys wearing multiple hats, being hands-on, and driving operational excellence

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and day-to-day oversight of financial operations across multiple residential properties
• Lead financial reporting, including monthly general ledgers, budget-to-actual reporting, cash balance reporting, and financial statements
• Manage cash flow activities, including certificate of deposit renewals and cash management strategies to optimize interest income
• Review financial information across multiple entities, including partnerships, S-corps, trusts, and nonprofit-related activity
• Coordinate with external accounting firms on audit and tax matters, including review of annual audit and review statements
• Review a variety of federal and state tax filings, including partnership, individual, corporate, trust, and nonprofit returns
• Oversee filing of information returns such as 1099s, 1098s, 1095-B, and related reporting
• Review payroll and vendor payments and coordinate retirement plan contributions
• Support compliance with municipal, regulatory, and government agency requirements, including licensing, registrations, and HUD-related submissions
• Partner with property management teams on rent increases, subsidy documentation, rental applications, lease production, and related reporting
• Maintain rent increase schedules and coordinate insurance renewals
• Oversee key administrative functions related to payroll systems and IT coordination
• Lead, mentor, and support accounting staff and provide additional support to property teams as needed

What We’re Looking For

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business Administration, Real Estate, or related field;  CPA preferred
• 7+ years of progressive accounting experience , including 3+ years in a leadership-level role
• Strong background in  real estate and property management accounting
• Best fit for a professional who has succeeded as a  Controller in a small company or closely held business environment
• Experience with financial statements, audits, tax coordination, and entity-level reporting
• Advanced Excel skills, including the ability to create and manage formulas
• Experience with  property management software , preferably  AppFolio
• Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills
• Strategic, detail-oriented, and comfortable balancing high-level oversight with hands-on execution

If you are a resourceful, business-minded Controller with property management expertise and the ability to lead in a small company environment, we’d love to connect with you. Please apply directly to this job posting. Direct additional questions to Lee Chernett, VP at Robert Half Finance & Accounting, via LinkedIn.