Assistant Controller

Collective; North Dakota; On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off and holidays

Job summary

Collective is seeking an Assistant Controller to lead corporate close, financial statements, and internal controls for Collective and our development affiliate. You will manage the accounts payable team and partner with leadership on cash flow, budgeting, and financial performance from our support office.

You will own the month-end and year-end close, implement process improvements with AppFolio, Excel, and AI tools, and coordinate with external CPAs and auditors for annual tax returns.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance.
• 5+ years in progressive accounting, with 3+ years in a supervisory role.
• Real estate or property management accounting experience preferred.
• Experience managing an accounts payable function preferred.
• Proficiency with AppFolio and advanced Excel.

Responsibilities

• Own month-end and year-end close and financial statements for Collective and affiliated development company.
• Identify and implement process improvements and automation using AppFolio, Excel, and AI tools.
• Prepare and review corporate account reconciliations, including management fee revenue, corporate overhead, and payroll allocations.
• Manage intercompany activity and allocations between entities.
• Monitor corporate cash balances and prepare cash flow forecasts; prepare the annual corporate budget and analyze budget-to-actual results with leadership.
• Lead, train, and develop the accounts payable team and oversee the property AP process.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Attention to detail

Organization

Time management

Problem solving

Business acumen

Ethical conduct

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance

Tools

AppFolio

Excel

AI tools

Job description

Collective is a growing property management company that focuses on building relationships and providing an exceptional place to call home. Our team takes pride in our communities and creates connections with our residents. Collective manages apartment communities and commercial properties across North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Montana.

As the Assistant Controller at Collective, you are a hands‑on accounting leader responsible for the corporate financials of Collective and our affiliated development company, Great States Development. Reporting to the Director of Accounting, you will own the corporate close, the financial statements, and the controls behind them, while leading the accounts payable team that supports our multifamily and commercial properties. You thrive on accuracy, process improvement, and developing a strong team, and you serve as a trusted partner to leadership on cash flow, budgeting, and financial performance from our support office.

Our EPIC Values

• Our team provides us with the inspiration that fuels our desire and drive to succeed.

Perseverance:

• We rise to the challenge with confidence. We have a work ethic, determination, and grit that accomplishes the task necessary to succeed.

Integrity:

• Being honest, trustworthy, and transparent. We do what’s right even when no one is looking.
• Every team member commits to working together to achieve common goals.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the month-end and year-end close and financial statements for Collective and our affiliated development company
• Identify and implement process improvements and automation using AppFolio, Excel, and AI tools
• Prepare and review corporate account reconciliations, including management fee revenue, corporate overhead, and payroll allocations
• Manage intercompany activity and allocations between entities
• Monitor corporate cash balances and prepare cash flow forecastsPrepare the annual corporate budget and analyze budget-to-actual results with leadership
• Lead, train, and develop the accounts payable team and oversee the property AP process, including invoice approvals, payment runs, and vendor relationships.
• Serve as a resource to the property accounting team on complex transactions, reconciliations, and month-end close questions
• Coordinate annual tax return preparation and serve as the primary contact for external CPAs and auditors for corporate entities
• Develop and maintain internal controls, policies, and procedures
• Special projects and reports for the Director of Accounting and leadership

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance
• 5+ years of progressive accounting experience, including 3+ years in a supervisory role
• Real estate or property management accounting experience strongly preferred
• Experience managing an accounts payable function preferred
• Proficiency with industry software (AppFolio preferred)
• Strong Excel skills, including advanced formulas, pivot tables, and working with large data sets
• Experience using AI tools to automate or improve accounting workflows preferred
• Ability to pass a background check

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities Required

• Leadership and team development
• Strategic and critical thinking
• Attention to detail and accuracy
• Organization and time management
• Problem solving/analysis
• Business acumen
• Ethical conduct

Benefits and Perks

• Health, dental, and vision insurance with HSA and FSA options
• Supplementary insurance
• 401(k) with vested company match starting at 3%
• Paid time off and 9 paid holidays

Physical Demands

• Extended periods of desk and computer work; occasionally lift up to 25 pounds

This position is based in our support office and requires regular office hours to be maintained.