Assistant Controller

CBRE; New York (NY); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

CBRE Assistant Controller will own day-to-day accounting for a portfolio of properties, oversee the monthly and quarterly close, and ensure GAAP, IFRS, and tax compliance. You’ll partner with Asset Management and FP&A to provide timely reporting and perform control reviews.

You will mentor Accounting Managers and Senior Accountants, drive process improvements, and coordinate internal and external audits.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of day-to-day accounting for an assigned portfolio of properties and oversee the financial close.
• Review significant accounting transactions for GAAP, IFRS, and tax compliance.
• Oversee month-end and quarter-end close cycles and related reporting.
• Develop business partner relationships with Asset Management and FP&A to improve communication and reporting.
• Support SOX controls, audits, and coordination with external auditors.
• Provide coaching to Accounting Managers and Senior Accountants.

Job description

About The Role:

As a CBRE Assistant Controller, you will focus on the generation, preparation, and communication of information that is complete and accurate to support effective decision making, management, internal controls, and financial reporting.

Assistant Controller is responsible for the coordination and review of the accounting for a portfolio of office properties. Additionally, this position will be a key resource in the review of significant accounting transactions to ensure compliance with GAAP, IFRS as well as Tax (legal entity) requirements and will serve under a management and oversight role in special projects as they arise. The position works closely with other Property Accounting and Regional leaders, business owners, and the client’s Corporate, FP&A, and Risk Management teams and external auditor.

The Assistant Controller will continuously improve policies, processes, systems and controls as part of the Company and Client’s operational excellence initiatives. This position will report directly to the Controller and additionally to the respective Regional Leadership Team for the office property portfolio the Assistant Controller oversees.

What You’ll Do:

1. Take ownership and accountability of the day-to-day accounting for an assigned portfolio of properties and oversee and manage the financial close process, to ensure completeness and accuracy of the accounting through a detailed review of the results and key metrics prior to the general ledger close. Review of significant accounting transactions to ensure GAAP, IFRS, and tax compliance.
   • Oversee the month-end and quarter-end close cycle, ensuring completion of tasks on or before deadlines per the Accounting Calendar.
   • Review monthly/quarterly financial packages such as SOX packages, NOI reports, Co-owner reports, recovery analysis, job cost validation, move-in/move-out schedules, co-owner reporting etc.
2. Develop business partner relationships with Asset Management and FP & A leaders while identifying opportunities to provide services and enhance flow of communication and information with the accounting team. Ensure regular and consistent communication and touchpoints with our client to ensure service performance level expectations are satisfied and maintained.
   • Partner with FP&A to support Property Accounting teams in solutioning issues and providing technical guidance on accounting treatments, processes, and documentation requirements.
   • Liaise with FP&A to understand, prioritize, and communicate business plan requests and budget reporting requirements to Property Accounting teams.
   • Support FP&A and AM teams with ad-hoc reporting requests (valuations, financing, tenant audit requests) by acting as the point of contact for the Property Accounting teams.
   • Support the Business Plan and budget cycle by reviewing forecast/budget expenses, recovery and CAM files, depreciation & imputed interest, and other key assumptions as applicable.
3. Oversee the quarterly tasks related to internal controls, financial reporting and auditor requests which may include variance analysis and reviewing SOX packages. Assist in balancing and allocating the workload across the portfolio and establishing and maintaining the accounting organizational strategy and annual goals.
   • Facilitate close meetings with Property Accounting teams to review financials and recommend action items.
   • Review balance sheet reconciliations and identify opportunities to improve efficiency and strengthen the reconciliation process.
   • Review corporate-required reporting (e.g., NOI variance analysis, executive summaries etc.).
4. Ensure compliance with SOX Controls, which includes the preparation and review of process documentation, providing examples and support, monitoring progress of team and working with internal and external auditors when needed. Manage and coordinate the separate property and joint venture audit process as well as monthly and quarterly reporting to ensure compliance with deadlines.
   • Liaise with the BP Corporate team and External Auditors during Corporate and property audits, including coordination of deliverables, schedules, confirmations, and audit support.
   • Review audit financial statement templates and note disclosures.
   • Participate in control walkthroughs and support teams in understanding control responsibilities; identify control weaknesses and recommend remediation actions.
   • Review monthly reporting packages to be sent to lenders and joint venture.
5. Provide coaching and mentoring to Accounting Managers and Senior Accountants/Financial Accountants and Property Management team (when required). Provide professional development opportunities - both technical and soft skills - for Accounting Managers and/or Senior Accountants/Financial Accountants through formal and informal channels. Conduct performance evaluations and managing direct reports’ performance development process.