Commercial Real Estate Controller

STG Group; Petaluma (CA); On-site; USD 200,000 - 220,000; Full time

Job summary

STG Group is seeking an experienced CRE Controller to lead the accounting team and manage financial reporting for a complex real estate portfolio. You will oversee GAAP-compliant statements, internal controls, and coordination with tax and audits.

The ideal candidate brings CPA credentials, 7+ years in CRE accounting, and expertise in fixed assets, depreciation, and multi-entity structures. Strong Excel and BI skills will support data-driven decisions.

Qualifications

• Active CPA license required.
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or related field.
• Minimum 7 years of progressive accounting experience, including commercial real estate.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP, fixed asset accounting, and IRS depreciation rules.
• Experience with multi-entity accounting structures and multi-state compliance.
• Experience with acquisition/disposition accounting, loan accounting, and lender reporting.
• Advanced Excel; Power BI is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Prepare timely monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements for multiple entities/properties in accordance with GAAP.
• Analyze financial performance, identify trends, and provide insights to ownership for investments and operations.
• Review property operating statements, cash flow reports, management fees, and intercompany transactions.
• Oversee annual and mid-year budgets with property managers and leasing staff.
• Lead internal and external audits, coordinate with auditors, and resolve findings.
• Maintain and improve internal controls and month-end close procedures.
• Oversee tax reporting coordination, including 1031 exchanges and related filings.

Skills

CPA license

GAAP knowledge

Multi-entity accounting

Acquisition accounting

Depreciation rules

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or related field

Tools

Excel

Power BI

Job description

STG Asset Management is seeking an experienced CRE Controller to lead our accounting team. This position will play a critical role in managing financial reporting, overseeing accounting operations, maintaining internal controls, supporting tax and audit processes, and ensuring compliance across a complex real estate portfolio. The ideal candidate is a detail-oriented professional with strong technical accounting expertise, excellent analytical skills, and experience in commercial real estate accounting.

RESPONSIBILITIES*

Financial Reporting & Budgeting

• Work closely with ownership to deliver accurate, timely monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements for multiple entities and properties in accordance with GAAP.
• Analyze financial performance, identify trends and variances, and provide ownership with clear insight to support investment and operating decisions.
• Review property operating statements, cash flow reports, management fee calculations, and intercompany transactions.
• Oversee the annual and mid-year budget process in partnership with property managers and leasing staff.
• Maintain accounting records and supporting documentation for all entities.

Audit & Internal Controls

• Lead internal and external audits, including preparation of schedules, coordination with auditors, and timely resolution of findings.
• Maintain and improve internal controls, the month-end close, and account reconciliation processes.
• Monitor cash activity, transfers, and banking relationships, and ensure discrepancies are resolved promptly.

Acquisitions, Dispositions & Fixed Assets

• Support property acquisitions and dispositions, including responsibility for accurate opening and closing journal entries.
• Account for 1031 exchanges, including tracking of qualifying transactions and related tax reporting.


• Coordinate cost segregation studies and use the results to accelerate depreciation on acquired properties.


• Maintain fixed asset schedules and calculate depreciation in accordance with IRS rules.


• Amortize loan costs and commissions over the life of the related loans.


• Prepare and deliver lender reporting and monitor covenant compliance for all financed properties.


• Manage construction loan draws from impound accounts.


• Reconcile loan and impound accounts quarterly.


• Support refinancing transactions from an accounting perspective.

Tax & Entity Compliance

• Lead tax preparation for multiple entities in coordination with outside accounting firms, and ensure federal and state taxes are paid on time.


• Support the filing of owners’ personal tax returns by compiling and delivering the required documentation.


• Work with outside vendors on property tax appeals and property tax reporting.


• Coordinate with legal counsel to maintain multi-state entity and tax compliance, including entity registrations, annual filings, and state tax obligations in each jurisdiction where STG entities own property or do business.

Insurance

• Manage the annual insurance renewal process for commercial property, liability, and corporate policies, including coordination with brokers, review of coverage and renewal terms, and allocation of premiums to properties and entities.


• Collaborate with executive leadership, leasing, and property management teams.


• Provide guidance and support to accounting staff.


• Recommend and implement process and system improvements that increase efficiency and accuracy.

*Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Active Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license.


• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field.


• Minimum 7 years of progressive accounting experience, including significant commercial real estate experience.


• Strong knowledge of GAAP, fixed asset accounting, and IRS depreciation rules.


• Experience with multi-entity accounting structures, including tax coordination with outside accountants and multi-state compliance.


• Experience with acquisition and disposition accounting, loan accounting, and lender reporting.


• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel; experience with Power BI is a plus.


• Strong analytical, organizational, written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.

Preferred

• Hands-on experience with 1031 exchanges and cost segregation studies.


• Experience with construction loan draws and impound or reserve accounts.


• Experience with budgeting, forecasting, and financial modeling.


• Experience with Yardi Voyager, our property management and accounting system.


• Experience with Yardi ABF or Forecast Manager, Procure to Pay, and Data Connect.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Movement within office complex environment


• Ability to write by hand and use keyboard extensively to perform general office functions


• Ability to communicate by speech and hearing continuously


• Visual acuity needed for close detail work and computer use


• Ability to sit for extended periods of time


• Ability to occasionally walk, stand, stoop, kneel, crouch, and reach with hands and arms


• Ability to occasionally lift and carry up to 20 pounds (periodic lifting of supplies)

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to a general office environment.


• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Compensation:

$200,000 - $220,000 a year plus benefits and discretionary annual bonus

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

The STG Group provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

As part of our hiring process, we conduct background checks on candidates who receive a conditional offer of employment. You will be provided with a disclosure and authorization form prior to any screening.