Financial Controller

Controller / Director of Property Accounting
Location: New York, NY
Reports To: SVP, Finance & Analytics
Position Type: Full-Time | Leadership Position | Hybrid

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

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

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.

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

Key Responsibilities
Accounting Operations & Financial Close
Own and manage the monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close process across multiple property entities and investment funds.
Establish and maintain a disciplined close calendar with clear responsibilities, deadlines, and deliverables.
Ensure property-level trial balances are received, reviewed, reconciled, and ready for consolidation.
Target completion of property-level accounting by business day eight and the consolidated monthly close within 15 business days.
Oversee the corporate general ledger, journal entries, reconciliations, accruals, and accounting adjustments.
Identify opportunities to streamline accounting workflows and reduce manual processes.
Consolidations & Financial Reporting
Lead multi-entity consolidation across the real estate portfolio and associated investment funds.
Prepare and review consolidated financial statements and supporting schedules.
Ensure accurate and timely corporate, property, fund-level, and investor reporting.
Maintain consistent accounting policies and treatment across entities.
Research and resolve complex accounting issues, serving as the organizations internal technical accounting resource.
Support lender reporting and compliance requirements.
Internal Controls, Audit & Compliance
Develop, document, and implement standardized accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls.
Serve as the primary point of contact for external auditors.
Coordinate annual audits, including preparation of supporting schedules and documentation.
Ensure compliance with applicable GAAP requirements and internal reporting standards.
Strengthen processes to improve reporting accuracy, audit readiness, and accountability.
Property Accounting & Team Leadership
Oversee the property accounting function and partner closely with Senior Property Accountants.
Review property-level financial information and ensure accurate integration into consolidated reporting.
Provide leadership, guidance, and technical support to the accounting team.
Establish clear performance expectations, reporting standards, and accountability.
Work closely with property operations and finance leadership to resolve accounting issues and improve information flow.
Coordinate effectively with outsourced accounting and other external service providers.
Systems & Process Improvement
Support the optimization of Yardi and related accounting and financial reporting systems.
Improve data integrity, reconciliation processes, and reporting consistency across the portfolio.
Identify opportunities for automation, standardization, and improved financial controls.
Partner with the SVP Finance & Analytics to build a scalable accounting infrastructure that supports future growth.

Qualifications
Required / Targeted Experience
Approximately 8–12+ years of progressive accounting experience, including leadership experience in a Controller, Director of Accounting, or similar role.
Strong experience in real estate accounting, preferably within multifamily, residential, student housing, or a comparable property-intensive environment.
Demonstrated experience managing monthly closes, multi-entity consolidations, and financial statement preparation.
Strong understanding of GAAP, general ledger accounting, reconciliations, and internal controls.
Experience working with property-level accounting teams and overseeing accounting operations.
Ability to manage external audits and complex reporting requirements.
Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
Comfortable operating in a hands-on, fast-paced environment where processes are being improved and standardized.
Preferred Qualifications
CPA designation and public accounting experience.
Experience with Yardi or similar property management/accounting systems.
Experience with real estate investment funds, fund accounting, and investor reporting.
Background in a growing, privately held, institutionally backed, or entrepreneurial real estate organization.
Experience building accounting processes, improving controls, and implementing operational efficiencies.

What Success Looks Like
Within the first year, the Controller / Director of Property Accounting will be expected to:
Consistently deliver the consolidated monthly close within 15 business days , with property ledgers received and accepted by business day eight.
Produce accurate, timely consolidated and fund-level financial statements.
Ensure investor reporting is complete, reliable, and ready for executive review.
Successfully coordinate a clean annual audit with minimal findings and no recurring issues.
Implement documented accounting procedures and internal controls that support a scalable organization.
Build a disciplined, accountable accounting team capable of delivering consistent reporting.
Reduce manual reconciliations, improve financial data quality, and strengthen coordination between property accounting and corporate finance.

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