Controller / VP of Finance - Multi-Family

SpectrumCareers; McLean (VA); On-site; USD 250,000 - 350,000; Full time

Job summary

SpectrumCareers is representing a private real estate owner-operator seeking a Chief Financial Officer to lead financial strategy, capital markets activity, accounting operations and reporting for a portfolio of ~5,000 multi-family units. The role requires partnering with the CEO and ownership group on growth, capital allocation, and oversight of a high‑performing finance team.

Ideal candidates will have 10+ years in finance leadership within real estate, deep knowledge of agency debt financing,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance required.
• CPA and/or MBA strongly preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive finance leadership in real estate or private equity setting.
• Experience with GAAP, consolidations, and multi-entity structures.
• Strong communication with investors, lenders, and ownership.

Responsibilities

• Set financial strategy and capital plan for portfolio of 5,000 multi-family units.
• Lead debt financing, refinancings, and treasury activities with lenders and partners.
• Oversee accounting operations, reporting, and internal controls across property and corporate entities.
• Direct budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis at portfolio level.
• Manage outside auditors, tax advisors, and annual audits.

Job description

Our client is a private, vertically integrated multi-family real estate investment and operating company with a portfolio of approximately 5,000 units across the DC metro area. The company acquires, develops, and manages multi-family assets on behalf of its own balance sheet and a select group of institutional and private capital partners. With a disciplined, long-term investment philosophy and a hands-on operating platform, has built a reputation for value creation, operational excellence, and strong investor relationships.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) will serve as a key member of the executive leadership team, reporting directly to the CEO/President, and will be responsible for the overall financial strategy, capital markets activity, accounting operations, and financial reporting for the company and its portfolio of approximately 5,000 multi-family units. This is a highly visible, hands-on leadership role suited to a finance executive who thrives in an entrepreneurial, private real estate environment and who can operate equally well at the strategic and execution levels.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Financial Strategy & Executive Leadership

• Serve as a strategic partner to the CEO, President, and ownership group on capital allocation, growth strategy, and long-term business planning.
• Develop and maintain financial models to evaluate acquisitions, dispositions, refinancings, and new development opportunities.
• Present financial results, forecasts, and strategic recommendations to ownership, the board, and/or capital partners.
• Build and lead a high-performing finance, accounting, and treasury team as the platform scales.

Capital Markets & Treasury

• Lead all debt financing, refinancing, and capital markets activity across the portfolio, including relationships with lenders, agencies (Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac), and life companies.
• Oversee cash management, liquidity planning, and covenant compliance across the portfolio's debt facilities.
• Manage relationships with equity investors and institutional capital partners, including reporting, distributions, and capital calls.
• Evaluate and structure joint ventures, recapitalizations, and portfolio-level financing strategies.

Accounting, Reporting & Controls

• Oversee all accounting operations, including property-level and corporate-level GAAP financial statements, consolidations, and month-end/year-end close processes.
• Ensure timely, accurate financial reporting to ownership, lenders, and investors in accordance with partnership/operating agreements.
• Maintain and strengthen internal controls, accounting policies, and procedures across the accounting and property management platforms.
• Oversee tax strategy and compliance in partnership with outside tax advisors, including entity structuring and K-1 delivery.
• Manage annual audit and tax return processes with external auditors and CPA firms.

Budgeting, Forecasting & Analysis

• Direct the annual budgeting process across the portfolio, working closely with asset management and property operations teams.
• Develop rolling forecasts, variance analysis, and portfolio-level performance reporting (NOI, occupancy, same-store growth, etc.).
• Provide financial analysis and underwriting support for new acquisitions, dispositions, and capital improvement projects.

Systems, Process & Risk Management

• Evaluate and implement accounting, property management, and financial reporting systems to support portfolio growth (e.g., Yardi, MRI, RealPage).
• Oversee insurance programs, risk management strategy, and compliance with lender and investor requirements.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, scalability, and automation across finance and accounting functions.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required; CPA and/or MBA strongly preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive finance/accounting leadership experience, with significant exposure to multi-family or broader real estate investment/operations.
• Prior experience as a CFO, Controller, or senior finance executive within a private real estate investment, ownership, or operating platform.
• Deep knowledge of real estate capital structures, agency debt financing (Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac), and institutional capital relationships.
• Strong technical accounting background, including partnership accounting, consolidations, and multi-entity structures.
• Experience managing outside auditors, tax advisors, and lender/investor reporting requirements.
• Proven leadership experience building and managing high-performing accounting and finance teams.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to interface directly with ownership, investors, and lenders.
• Hands-on, entrepreneurial mindset suited to a private, closely held real estate organization.