Assistant Controller – Real Estate Accounting

The Michelson Organization; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The Michelson Organization in St. Louis seeks an experienced Assistant Controller with a CPA to lead corporate accounting for a portfolio of real estate assets.

You will supervise a team of accountants, oversee GAAP financial reporting, and ensure timely, accurate statements across dozens of entities. This hands-on role involves coordinating with property management, managing closings, and driving process improvements while maintaining strong internal controls.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance required.
• 7+ years of progressive accounting experience with supervision.
• Strong GAAP, financial reporting, and consolidation accounting knowledge.
• Experience managing accounting for multiple legal entities, preferably in real estate.
• Ability to lead, mentor, and develop an accounting team.

Responsibilities

• Oversee accounting and financial reporting for dozens of real estate entities.
• Manage a team of accountants, ensuring timely financial reporting.
• Review journal entries, reconciliations, and schedules for accuracy.
• Develop and enforce accounting policies, procedures and internal controls.
• Coordinate intercompany transactions and property-level reporting.
• Support audits, external partners, and tax professionals.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

Consolidation accounting

Leadership / team development

Advanced Excel

Real estate accounting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance

Tools

Yardi

Job description

The Michelson Organization represents a privately held real estate investment and management company with a 100-year history of success. Headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, we specialize in the acquisition, management, and operation of multifamily and commercial real estate properties nationwide.

We seek an experienced, hands-on Assistant Controller with a CPA designation and a strong background in real estate accounting to join our corporate accounting team.

Position Overview

The Assistant Controller will play a key leadership role in overseeing the accounting and financial reporting for dozens of real estate entities. This position will manage a team of accountants, ensure accurate and timely financial reporting, and work closely with senior management to support the company's financial operations.

The ideal candidate is a detail-oriented accounting professional who enjoys leading and developing a team, managing complex multi-entity accounting processes, and identifying opportunities to improve efficiency and accuracy.

Key Responsibilities

• Supervise, mentor, and develop a team of accountants responsible for the financial reporting of numerous real estate entities.
• Oversee daily accounting operations, establish priorities, and ensure timely completion of financial reporting deadlines.
• Review team members' work for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with accounting standards.
• Develop and implement consistent accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls across the organization.
• Identify opportunities to streamline processes, improve efficiency, and strengthen the accounting team's performance.

Multi-Entity Accounting & Financial Reporting

• Oversee the preparation and review of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements for dozens of real estate entities.
• Manage the month-end and year-end closing processes, ensuring accurate and timely reporting.
• Review general ledger activity, journal entries, balance sheet reconciliations, and supporting financial schedules.
• Oversee intercompany transactions, allocations, reconciliations, and accounting for complex ownership structures.
• Ensure compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and company accounting policies.
• Analyze financial results, investigate variances, and provide meaningful financial information to senior management.
• Oversee property-level accounting for a diverse portfolio of multifamily and commercial real estate investments.
• Coordinate with property management teams to ensure accurate reporting of rental income, operating expenses, capital expenditures, and other property-level transactions.
• Review property financial statements, operating budgets, and budget-to-actual variances.
• Oversee accounting related to property acquisitions, dispositions, refinancing transactions, and capital improvements.
• Monitor cash balances, property-level funding needs, and financial reporting requirements.
• Ensure accurate accounting for debt, fixed assets, depreciation, and other real estate-related transactions.

Financial Controls, Audits & Process Improvement

• Assist the Controller with consolidated financial reporting, audits, and special accounting projects.
• Coordinate with external auditors and tax professionals to support annual audits and tax return preparation.
• Maintain and strengthen internal controls to safeguard company assets and ensure accurate financial reporting.
• Evaluate existing accounting systems and workflows, recommending improvements and automation opportunities.
• Support senior management with financial analysis and strategic initiatives.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance.
• 7+ years of progressive accounting experience, including supervisory or management responsibilities.
• Desire to learn new skills.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP, financial reporting, and general ledger accounting.
• Strong knowledge of consolidation accounting.
• Experience managing accounting for multiple legal entities, preferably in real estate or property management.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, and develop an accounting team.
• Advanced Excel skills and proficiency with accounting software.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.

Preferred

• Experience in multifamily or commercial real estate accounting.
• Familiarity with complex ownership structures, partnerships, and intercompany accounting.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP and IFRS.
• Experience with Yardi property management and accounting software.
• Background in public accounting, particularly with real estate clients.
• Experience with real estate acquisitions, dispositions, financing, and investor reporting.

Why Join Michelson?

At The Michelson Organization, you'll be part of a financially established, privately held company with a long history of success and a collaborative work environment.

This position offers the opportunity to lead an experienced accounting team, work closely with senior leadership, and take ownership of the financial reporting for a diverse national real estate portfolio.

We value individuals who are proactive, dependable, and committed to accuracy, efficiency, and continuous improvement.

The Michelson Organization is an Equal Opportunity Employer.