Controller - Real Estate

Controller Position

TREK Development Group is a Pittsburgh- based real estate development firm specializing in building innovative and sustainable communities. Our mission is to Create Value, Enhance Lives and Strengthen Communities. At TREK, we believe the right cultural fit is just as important as possessing the skills and qualifications for the job. Our core values: Aesthetics, Alignment, Collaboration, Compassion, Inclusiveness, Quality, Commitment, Empathy, Humility, Integrity and Responsibility are best described in our commitment to TREK's Hospitality Covenant. The Hospitality Covenant describes our core practices that we strive to achieve each day: To treat everyone with the kindness we all want, To do our own part to take care of the place where we live and work, To take the time to help each other achieve our goals and aspirations.

We believe that every member of the team is important to the success of the community and together we are committed to providing high-quality, community-focused housing. We are currently seeking an engaged and passionate professional to serve as Controller with 5+ years of progressive accounting experience, including team leadership, ownership of month-end close, audits and internal controls. Under the direction of the CEO and EVP, the Controller is responsible for the full cycle of accounting operations across all entities ensuring accuracy, compliance and timeliness in financial reporting across all entities in TREK's portfolio. This role ensures accurate financial reporting, fully and accurately closing books, creating and implementing processes and procedures, complying with regulatory requirements, and providing strategic financial insights to support business decisions. The Controller will manage a team of property accountants, internal and third party, and work closely with property management and executive leadership.

Essential Functions:

• Responsible for monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close processes across multiple entities, currently 76 properties and growing (primarily multi-family residential, mix of self-managed and 3rd party managed)
• Oversee all accounting operations for the real estate portfolio, including property-level, development and corporate accounting
• Create clarity and consistency across the accounting functions
• Supervise and develop accounting staff, ensuring structure and discipline in the accounting function
• Manage 3rd party accounting vendor partnership (Supporting Strategies & Smart Source) holding teams accountable for results
• Prepare and review financial statements, variance analysis, and reporting packages
• Identify and drive process improvement opportunities while developing and implementing processes and procedures for best practices and enforcing compliance standards
• Design, implement, execute and maintain internal controls and accounting policies, creating scalable processes
• Build operational discipline within department and processes
• Manage and administer budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis activities for properties and corporate entities
• Coordinate and manage external audits, tax filings, and lender reporting requirements
• Ensure compliance with GAAP and applicable real estate accounting standards
• Partner with operations teams to analyze property performance
• Collaborate cross-departmentally to resolve accounting issues
• Support property managers by providing feedback on GL journal entries, removing day to day accounting responsibilities and integrating into accounting process, etc.
• Provide direction and guidance to property management division on financial operations of properties (Regional Managers and PM leadership to implement guidance)
• Assist with special projects, financial analyses, and process improvements across the finance and accounting function
• Additional duties as assigned

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics or related field; MBA or equivalent advanced degree preferred; CPA preferred
• 5-8+ years of progressive finance experience, preferably with experience in real estate and/or property management; experience with affordable housing a plus
• 3+ years of leadership experience
• Accounting and financial management software experience required – RealPage preferred
• Expert in accounting policies and procedures for a growing business.
• Experience in designing policies and successfully implementing them with an accounting team
• Experience with multi-entity financial reporting and consolidation
• Experience in reshaping a department/function
• Advanced proficiency in Excel and financial modeling
• Strong analytical, organizational, and leadership skills are essential for success in this position, and the ability to multitask and work under multiple tight deadlines

Physical Demands & Work Environment:

• Work is performed in a semi-quiet setting from a corporate office location
• Ability to sit or stand for long periods of time
• Walking, stooping, turning, and lifting to 20 lbs

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, employer-paid long-term disability, employer-paid basic life, 401k with employer contribution, and EAP.