Assistant Controller, Fund Accounting

Cottonwood Group; Los Angeles (CA); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid schedule

401K with match

Medical/Dental/Vision coverage

Downtown Los Angeles office

Job summary

Cottonwood Group, a private equity real estate investment firm, seeks an Assistant Controller, Fund Accounting in Los Angeles to lead fund accounting operations, close processes, and investor reporting. You will collaborate with fund administrators, auditors, and tax advisors to ensure accurate financials for multiple real estate funds and JV entities.

The role requires strong technical accounting expertise, cross-functional collaboration, and a minimum of five years in fund accounting and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or related field.
• CPA preferred.
• 7+ years of relevant accounting experience; 5+ years fund accounting experience; ideally a mix of public accounting and in-house fund or investment management experience.
• Experience with both open-ended (NAV) and closed-end fund accounting required; real estate industry exposure preferred
• Working knowledge of US GAAP, including fair value measurement, consolidation, and investment company accounting (ASC 946)
• Experience with Yardi preferred
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work directly with the fund administrator, external auditors and cross-functional internal teams
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent deliverables against fixed reporting deadlines

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day accounting matters and month-end close process, including the preparation of account reconciliations and supporting schedules for fund reporting
• Perform bank reconciliations and process journal entries
• Accounts payable approval through Yardi workflow
• Maintain and update fund and investor-level performance calculations, including IRR, equity multiple and time-weighted returns
• Prepare management fee calculations, incentive/promote accruals, and supporting schedules
• Prepare capital call and distribution calculations, including investor-level allocations and notices
• Support year-end audit, tax and compliance workstreams, in coordination with internal cross-functional working groups and third-party providers
• Maintain schedule of investments
• Prepare quarterly consolidations and eliminations across fund and joint-venture entities
• Actively interact with external fund administrator to review preparation of quarterly financial statements, schedules and investor statements
• Respond to investor and other stakeholder information requests in coordination with Capital Markets and Portfolio Management teams
• Collaborate with treasury function on cash forecasting needs of various fund vehicles
• Deliver accurate and timely work product within established deliverable timelines

Skills

Fund accounting

NAV accounting

Real estate accounting

US GAAP

Communication skills

Multi-tasking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in accounting

CPA preferred

Tools

Yardi

Microsoft Office

Job description

Position Title: Assistant Controller, Fund Accounting

Reports to: Senior Vice President, Finance

FLSA: Full-Time, Exempt

Company Overview:

Cottonwood Group is a private equity real estate investment firm with offices in Los Angeles, Boston, and New York. Since its founding in 2012, Cottonwood has served as a trusted investment partner to global institutions, foundations, pension funds, and family offices.

The firm operates a multi-strategy platform focused on North American real estate, with the majority of activity concentrated in the United States. Cottonwood's flexible mandate enables it to act as a lender, investor, operator, and sponsor, allowing for tailored capital solutions and strategic alignment with partners.

To date, Cottonwood has invested, transacted, and advised on over $7 billion of U.S. real estate through a range of capital vehicles, including pooled funds, separate accounts, public and private investment platforms, and entities in which Cottonwood maintains control or governance rights.

Position Overview:

We are seeking an Assistant Controller, Fund Accounting to support Cottonwood's financial operations, reporting, and compliance for investments. This role plays a key role in ensuring the financial integrity and reporting accuracy of the investment fund portfolio. This role serves as a critical link between internal teams and external partners - including fund administrators, auditors, and tax advisors - to support sound financial operations, investor reporting, and compliance across the fund lifecycle. By combining strong technical accounting expertise with cross-functional collaboration, the Assistant Controller helps drive reliable, timely financial information that supports investor confidence and informed decision-making across the organization. We are looking for a highly organized, detail-oriented accounting professional with at least five years of experience in fund accounting and investment management.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage day-to-day accounting matters and month-end close process, including the preparation of account reconciliations and supporting schedules for fund reporting
• Perform bank reconciliations and process journal entries
• Accounts payable approval through Yardi workflow
• Maintain and update fund and investor-level performance calculations, including IRR, equity multiple and time-weighted returns
• Prepare management fee calculations, incentive/promote accruals, and supporting schedules
• Prepare capital call and distribution calculations, including investor-level allocations and notices
• Support year-end audit, tax and compliance workstreams, in coordination with internal cross-functional working groups and third-party providers
• Maintain schedule of investments
• Prepare quarterly consolidations and eliminations across fund and joint-venture entities
• Actively interact with external fund administrator to review preparation of quarterly financial statements, schedules and investor statements
• Respond to investor and other stakeholder information requests in coordination with Capital Markets and Portfolio Management teams
• Collaborate with treasury function on cash forecasting needs of various fund vehicles
• Deliver accurate and timely work product within established deliverable timelines

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or related field; CPA preferred
• 7+ years of relevant accounting experience; 5+ years fund accounting experience; ideally a mix of public accounting and in-house fund or investment management experience
• Experience with both open-ended (NAV) and closed-end fund accounting required; real estate industry exposure preferred
• Working knowledge of US GAAP, including fair value measurement, consolidation, and investment company accounting (ASC 946)
• Experience with Yardi preferred
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work directly with the fund administrator, external auditors and cross-functional internal teams
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent deliverables against fixed reporting deadlines

Why Join our Team?

Join a firm with a proven track record of consistent growth throughout market cycles and has achieved institutional-grade scale and credibility, yet still operates with the agility, energy, and entrepreneurial spirit of a much smaller organization. We offer:

• Attractive and competitive compensation package
• Collaborative, respectful, supportive, and entrepreneurial culture
• Hybrid schedule that supports a healthy work-life balance with generous time off
• Passion to provide opportunity for growth
• Rich benefit plans including affordable medical, dental, and vision coverage and 401K with up to 4% match
• Beautiful offices in Downtown Los Angeles and Boston, both with access to great restaurants and food trucks

Compensation: Base annual salary range between $130,000-$160,000 plus discretionary bonus

Cottonwood is an equal opportunity employer which takes pride in diversification and providing an environment where all team members can thrive. We do not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of any status or condition protected by applicable federal or state law.