Controller

Controller - Property Management / Real Estate

Tacoma, WA (in-office)

Our client is a long-established, family-owned real estate and property management company with both a substantial residential portfolio and a complex mix of family-owned entities, trusts, and investments.

They are seeking an experienced Controller to lead accounting across the organization. This is a rare succession opportunity offering meaningful transition support and the chance to become a trusted financial partner to the owners. The ideal candidate brings strong real estate accounting experience, practical tax knowledge, and sound judgment.

Controller Responsibilities:

• Oversee accounting and financial reporting for the property management business, family office, trusts, holding companies, property-owning entities, and related investments.
• Lead the accounting team, ensuring accurate, timely, and consistent financial information across the organization.
• Review monthly financial statements for a substantial residential portfolio and its related property entities, investigating variances, unusual activity, and accounting issues.
• Oversee monthly reporting and cash activity for trusts and investment entities, including distributions and underlying asset activity.
• Ensure capital improvements and other property expenditures are properly classified and accounted for.
• Coordinate with outside tax accountants and advisors, preparing and reviewing returns, reports, supporting schedules, and other required information.
• Provide additional oversight during tax season and ensure readiness for annual tax and reporting requirements.
• Serve as an accounting and financial resource to property management clients and internal teams.
• Evaluate processes and controls to improve accuracy, efficiency, documentation, and consistency.

Controller Qualifications:

• 7+ years of progressive accounting experience in real estate, property management, family office, or a complex multi-entity environment.
• Strong property accounting experience, including financial reporting, capital improvements, capitalization, and depreciation.
• Experience overseeing multiple properties, entities, partnerships, trusts, and investments.
• Working tax knowledge and experience partnering with outside CPAs and advisors.
• Experience reviewing financial statements, investigating discrepancies, and resolving accounting issues.
• Proven leadership of accounting and transactional staff.
• Sound judgment, discretion, and comfort working closely with ownership.
• Ability to balance hands-on accounting with higher-level financial oversight.
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field preferred, CPA or CMA a plus.

Company Benefits:

• Medical, dental, vision
• 401(k) with matching
• PTO, sick and holiday pay

Compensation: $150K - $200K (DOE)