Controller - Commercial Real Estate

Job Description Job Description Controller Commercial Real Estate Owner & Operator | Beverly Hills, CA Company Overview Our client is a well-capitalized, privately held commercial real estate owner and operator headquartered in Beverly Hills, California . The firm manages a diversified ~$2.5B real estate portfolio spanning retail commercial, multifamily, Class A office, and hospitality assets . The organization is lean, entrepreneurial, and execution-oriented, with an experienced and highly accessible management team . The environment favors practical problem solvers who enjoy being close to the business rather than operating within heavy institutional bureaucracy. Position Summary The Controller is a hands-on accounting leader responsible for overseeing general ledger accounting, treasury and cash management, and financial reporting across the company’s real estate portfolio. This role partners closely with the CFO to ensure the accuracy, completeness, and reliability of the books and records while supervising a small internal accounting team. The position is well suited for a Controller with strong Yardi expertise , solid commercial real estate accounting experience, and a collaborative, servant-leader mindset. While the role includes an initial stabilization and cleanup phase, the ongoing complexity of the business supports a sustainable workload and strong work-life balance relative to similar roles. Key Responsibilities Accounting & Financial Reporting Oversee full general ledger accounting for the company and affiliated entities. Prepare and deliver monthly consolidated financial statements , along with property-level reporting. Ensure accurate, timely, and well-reconciled books and records in accordance with GAAP. Maintain and enhance accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls. Treasury & Cash Management Oversee daily cash management activities, including bank reconciliations and cash forecasting. Manage treasury processes to ensure proper controls and liquidity across the portfolio. Partner with leadership on cash planning and monitoring. Budgeting & Analysis Assist in the preparation of the annual operating and capital budgets. Perform periodic budget-to-actual variance analysis , providing clear explanations and insights. Support internal reporting needs for management decision-making. Tax Coordination Work closely with external tax advisors and CPA firms. Support the timely completion of all required tax filings and payments. Assist with identifying and resolving tax-related issues in coordination with third-party providers. Leadership & Team Oversight Directly manage a small accounting team (AR/cash, AP, and financial analyst). Provide guidance, mentoring, and hands-on support as needed. Foster a collaborative, service-oriented team environment. First 6–12 Month Focus Lead remediation and cleanup of reconciliations and accounting gaps resulting from recent team transitions. Partner closely with the CFO to stabilize processes and establish consistent operating rhythms. Transition the function into steady-state operations following stabilization. Additional Responsibilities Assist with accounting system improvements and special projects as needed. Support future initiatives as the business evolves and grows. Skills & Qualifications Strong commercial real estate accounting experience required. Yardi accounting and property management system expertise required . Hands-on experience with treasury, cash management, and bank reconciliations. Solid understanding of GAAP and internal controls. Ability to exercise sound professional judgment in practical, real-world situations. Organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities. Collaborative, servant-leader mindset with willingness to roll up sleeves. Strong written and verbal communication skills. Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel; working knowledge of Word and PowerPoint. Education & Experience Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Business required. CPA a plus, but not required . 7+ years of progressive accounting experience, preferably within commercial real estate. Experience in an owner-operator or privately held real estate environment strongly preferred. Why This Role High visibility and close partnership with the CFO. Opportunity to make an immediate, tangible impact. Lean team with real ownership and accountability. Strong long-term growth potential without short-term burnout.