Financial Controller

Job Description

Job Description

Controller (Financial Leadership Role)

Location: Louisville, KY

About the Role

We’re looking for a hands on, detail oriented Controller to lead our organization's accounting and financial operations across both corporate and property portfolios.

This is not a traditional, back office accounting role. Instead, you’ll act as a trusted financial partner and leader helping shape how financial things are done, improving accounting systems, and turning financial data into meaningful business insights that support strategic decision making and organizational growth.

This is an ideal role for someone who thrives in fast moving, evolving environments and is energized by building structure, refining processes, and diving into the financial details.

What You’ll Do

• Financial Leadership & Analysis: Oversee day-to-day accounting operations, budgeting, and cash management. Prepare timely monthly consolidated corporate financial statements, management reports, and KPIs to provide leadership with strategic operational insight.

• Maintain Internal Controls: Maintain accurate general ledger records and ensure the integrity of financial reporting systems. Establish, document, and continuously improve internal accounting policies, workflows, and financial controls.

• Budgeting, Audit, and Compliance: Partner with Property Managers and the operations team to develop annual operating budgets and support ongoing variance analysis. Manage the preparation of the annual consolidated corporate audit, corporate tax returns, and ensure strict compliance with bank covenants and loan requirements.

• Asset Management & Strategic Support: Assist with asset management activities including acquisitions, refinancing, property sales, capital improvements, and due diligence. Help manage investor relationships, financial communications, and distributions.

• Collaborative Support: Work closely with the executive team (CEO/CFO) to evaluate debt/equity opportunities, partnership agreements, and financial components of mortgages, loan documents, or construction contracts.

  What We’re Looking For

We care deeply about your mindset, adaptability, and proactive problem solving style.

You might be a great fit if you are:

• A Builder: Someone who enjoys leveraging technology, improving financial systems, and creating efficient, scalable processes.

• Comfortable with Complexity: Able to maintain exceptional accuracy, handle competing priorities, and navigate ambiguity with a resilient, positive attitude.

• Naturally Hospitality- and Service-focused: Approaching internal and external stakeholders with empathy, professionalism, and a collaborative spirit.

• An Analytical Thinker: Strong at root-cause thinking, interpreting financial data, identifying trends, and turning complex details into actionable solutions.

• An Excellent Communicator: Confident presenting clear financial concepts to both financial and non-financial audiences alike.

  Preferred Background

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field is required; a CPA designation is preferred.

• Core Accounting Experience: Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible accounting and finance experience, with at least 3 years serving as a Controller, Senior Accountant, or in a comparable financial leadership role.

• Industry Match: Strong preference for experience within real estate development, property management, real estate investment, construction, or related industries.

Technical & Operational Skills: Advanced proficiency with MS Excel and accounting software; hands-on experience with AppFolio is highly preferred. Experience managing financial audits and corporate budgeting processes.

Why This Role?

• Be part of a mission driven organization focused on hospitable housing and community impact.

• Opportunity to help build, refine, and shape financial processes rather than just maintaining the status quo.

• Lead a broad scope of financial activities from day to day operations to high level real estate development and asset management support.

Direct impact on organizational growth, stability, and long-term strategic direction.

Apply If You're Looking To…

• Step into a financial leadership role with real autonomy and impact.

• Work in a fast growing, evolving environment where your insights drive decisions.

• Build and scale financial systems instead of just following them.

• Work with a collaborative team that values stewardship, continuous improvement, and professional growth.

Thrive is an Equal Opportunity Employer.