Controller

Vaco is hiring for a Controller opportunity in Kansas City. Direct Hire, Onsite Salary: 110-130,000/yr We are seeking an experienced Controller to lead the accounting and financial operations of our growing property development and commercial real estate organization. This role oversees all aspects of financial reporting, cash management, project accounting, and compliance for multiple development entities and investment structures. The ideal candidate has strong real estate industry experience, deep technical accounting knowledge, and a proactive, hands-on leadership style. Key Responsibilities Financial Management & Reporting Oversee all day-to-day accounting operations, including GL, AP/AR, job cost accounting, and payroll. Lead month-end and year-end close processes for multiple entities. Prepare timely and accurate financial statements, variance analyses, and operational dashboards. Manage consolidation of entities, including partnerships, LLCs, and joint ventures. Ensure compliance with GAAP, company policies, and external reporting requirements. Real Estate & Development Accounting Oversee project/job cost accounting, tracking budgets, commitments, actuals, and cost-to-complete. Manage development draw requests, lender reporting packages, and capital calls. Work with development, construction, and property management teams to ensure financial accuracy for projects in all phases (acquisition, development, stabilization, disposition). Maintain fixed asset schedules, depreciation, lease accounting, and property-level P&Ls. Ensure proper treatment of tenant improvements, CAM reconciliations, and lease abstraction. Cash Flow & Treasury Manage cash flow forecasting, cash requirements for projects, and funding strategies. Oversee banking relationships, loan compliance, and covenant tracking. Tax, Audit & Compliance Coordinate with outside CPA firms for tax filings, K-1s, and audits. Maintain internal controls, accounting policies, and risk management processes. Leadership & Team Management Lead, mentor, and develop the accounting team. Implement process improvements, automation, and system optimizations for scalability. Serve as a strategic business partner to senior leadership and operations teams. Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field; CPA preferred. 7–10 years of progressive accounting experience, including real estate or property development industry experience. Strong understanding of real estate development accounting, job cost, capitalized interest, leasing accounting, and multi-entity consolidations. Experience with real estate-focused accounting systems (Yardi, MRI, Sage Intacct, Timberline, or similar). Proven leadership skills and ability to manage a small to mid-sized accounting team. Advanced Excel and strong analytical skills. Exceptional attention to detail, organizational ability, and communication skills. Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco/Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to the individual’s skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, office location and other geographic considerations, as well as other business and organizational needs. With that said, as required by local law in geographies that require salary range disclosure, Vaco/Highspring notes the salary range for the role is noted in this job posting. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses, and can participate in medical, dental, and vision benefits as well as the company’s 401(k) retirement plan. Additional disclaimer: Unless otherwise noted in the job description, the position Vaco/Highspring is filing for is occupied. Please note, however, that Vaco/Highspring is regularly asked to provide talent to other organizations. By submitting to this position, you are agreeing to be included in our talent pool for future hiring for similarly qualified positions. Submissions to this position are subject to the use of AI to perform preliminary candidate screenings, focused on ensuring minimum job requirements noted in the position are satisfied. Further assessment of candidates beyond this initial phase within Vaco/Highspring will be otherwise assessed by recruiters and hiring managers. Vaco/Highspring does not have knowledge of the tools used by its clients in making final hiring decisions and cannot opine on their use of AI products. Vaco by Highspring values a diverse workplace and strongly encourages women, people of color, LGBTQ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply. EEO Notice Vaco by Highspring is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race (including but not limited to traits historically associated with race such as hair texture and hair style), color, sex (includes pregnancy or related conditions), religion or creed, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, status as a veteran, union membership, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, or any other protected characteristics as required by federal, state or local law. Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact View email address on click.appcast.io . Vaco by Highspring also wants all applicants to know their rights that workplace discrimination is illegal. By submitting to this position, you agree that you will be giving Vaco by Highspring the exclusive right to present your as a candidate for the foregoing employment opportunity. You further agree that you have represented information about yourself accurately and have not affirmatively misrepresented your qualifications. You also agree to maintain as confidential, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any information you learn from Vaco by Highspring about the position and you will limit disclosure of information about the position only to the extent necessary to perform any obligations in furtherance of your application. In exchange, Vaco by Highspring agrees to exercise reasonable efforts to represent you through all solicitation, job screening and resume dispersal. Privacy Notice Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries (“we,” “our,” or “Vaco by Highspring”) respects your privacy and are committed to providing transparent notice of our policies. California residents may access Vaco by Highspring HR Notice at Collection for California Applicants and Employees here. Virginia residents may access our state specific policies here. Residents of all other states may access our policies here. Canadian residents may access our policies in English here and in French here. Residents of countries governed by GDPR may access our policies here. Pay Transparency Notice Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco by Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to: the individual’s skill sets, experience and training; licensure and certification requirements; office location and other geographic considerations; other business and organizational needs. With that said, as required by local law, Vaco by Highspring believes that the following salary range referenced above reasonably estimates the base compensation for an individual hired into this position in geographies that require salary range disclosure. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses.aa415a4b-8b21-40fc-a65c-70d2b25ca29a