Controller

Vaco by Highspring; Aubry (KS); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary bonuses

Medical, dental, and vision benefits

401(k) retirement plan

Job summary

A leading financial services firm in Kansas is seeking an experienced Controller to manage accounting and financial operations within the real estate sector. The ideal candidate will have strong real estate accounting knowledge, a proven ability to lead teams, and extensive experience in financial reporting and compliance. This position offers a competitive salary and necessitates onsite presence in the Overland Park area.

Qualifications

• 7‑10+ years of progressive accounting experience, including experience in real estate or property development.
• Strong understanding of job cost, capitalized interest, leasing accounting, and multi-entity consolidations.
• Proven ability to manage a small to mid-sized accounting team.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day accounting operations, including GL, AP/AR, job cost accounting, and payroll.
• Lead month-end and year-end close processes for multiple entities.
• Prepare timely financial statements and variance analyses.

Skills

Real estate accounting knowledge

Leadership skills

Advanced Excel skills

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field

CPA preferred

Tools

Yardi

MRI

Sage Intacct

Timberline

Job description

Vaco is hiring for a Controller opportunity in the Overland Park KS area.

Direct Hire, Onsite

Salary: 110-140,000/yr

We are seeking an experienced Controller to lead the accounting and financial operations of our growing property development and commercial real estate organization. This role oversees all aspects of financial reporting, cash management, project accounting, and compliance for multiple development entities and investment structures. The ideal candidate has strong real estate industry experience, deep technical accounting knowledge, and a proactive, hands‑on leadership style.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Management & Reporting

• Oversee all day‑to‑day accounting operations, including GL, AP/AR, job cost accounting, and payroll.
• Lead month‑end and year‑end close processes for multiple entities.
• Prepare timely and accurate financial statements, variance analyses, and operational dashboards.
• Manage consolidation of entities, including partnerships, LLCs, and joint ventures.
• Ensure compliance with GAAP, company policies, and external reporting requirements.

Real Estate & Development Accounting

• Oversee project/job cost accounting, tracking budgets, commitments, actuals, and cost‑to‑complete.
• Manage development draw requests, lender reporting packages, and capital calls.
• Work with development, construction, and property management teams to ensure financial accuracy for projects in all phases (acquisition, development, stabilization, disposition).
• Maintain fixed asset schedules, depreciation, lease accounting, and property‑level P&Ls.
• Ensure proper treatment of tenant improvements, CAM reconciliations, and lease abstraction.

Cash Flow & Treasury

• Manage cash flow forecasting, cash requirements for projects, and funding strategies.
• Oversee banking relationships, loan compliance, and covenant tracking.

Tax, Audit & Compliance

• Coordinate with outside CPA firms for tax filings, K‑1s, and audits.
• Maintain internal controls, accounting policies, and risk management processes.

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead, mentor, and develop the accounting team.
• Implement process improvements, automation, and system optimizations for scalability.
• Serve as a strategic business partner to senior leadership and operations teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field; CPA preferred.
• 7‑10+ years of progressive accounting experience, including real estate or property development industry experience.
• Strong understanding of real estate development accounting, job cost, capitalized interest, leasing accounting, and multi‑entity consolidations.
• Experience with real estate‑focused accounting systems (Yardi, MRI, Sage Intacct, Timberline, or similar).
• Proven leadership skills and ability to manage a small to mid‑sized accounting team.
• Advanced Excel and strong analytical skills.
• Exceptional attention to detail, organizational ability, and communication skills.

Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco/Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to the individual's skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, office location and other geographic considerations, as well as other business and organizational needs. With that said, as required by local law in geographies that require salary range disclosure, Vaco/Highspring notes the salary range for the role is noted in this job posting. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses, and can participate in medical, dental, and vision benefits as well as the company's 401(k) retirement plan. Additional disclaimer: Unless otherwise noted in the job description, the position Vaco/Highspring is filing for is occupied. Please note, however, that Vaco/Highspring is regularly asked to provide talent to other organizations. By submitting to this position, you are agreeing to be included in our talent pool for future hiring for similarly qualified positions. Submissions to this position are subject to the use of AI to perform preliminary candidate screenings, focused on ensuring minimum job requirements noted in the position are satisfied. Further assessment of candidates beyond this initial phase within Vaco/Highspring will be otherwise assessed by recruiters and hiring managers. Vaco/Highspring does not have knowledge of the tools used by its clients in making final hiring decisions and cannot opine on their use of AI products.