Controller

NewMark Merrill Companies, Inc.; Calabasas (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

NewMark Merrill Companies seeks an experienced Controller to lead our property accounting function across our retail real estate portfolio, ensuring timely and accurate financial reporting. The Controller will oversee a team including Assistant Controllers, Property Accountants, Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, and Collections.

As a key leader, the Controller will set expectations, mentor team members, and drive process improvements, internal controls, and collaboration with Sr.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressive accounting experience.
• Experience supervising, developing, and guiding an accounting team.
• Commercial real estate, retail real estate, or property management accounting experience preferred.
• Strong knowledge of property accounting, financial reporting, general ledger, reconciliations, and month-end close.
• Advanced Excel skills; MRI preferred; Avid a plus.
• Experience using AI and emerging technologies to enhance accounting workflows.

Responsibilities

• Lead monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes with review of statements, GL activity, reconciliations, journal entries, accruals.
• Oversee CAM and tenant recovery reconciliations and dispute resolution.
• Lead annual property budgeting, forecast support, variance analysis, and financial insights.

Education

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

Tools

MRI

Microsoft Excel

Avid

Job description

NewMark Merrill Companies is seeking an experienced Controller to lead our property accounting function and ensure accurate, timely financial reporting across our retail real estate portfolio. The Controller oversees a team that includes Assistant Controllers, Property Accountants, Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, and Collections. This role combines strong technical accounting expertise with hands‑on, people‑focused leadership and works closely with Sr. leadership and teams across the organization.

As a key leader within the organization, the Controller will set clear expectations, build accountability, develop and mentor team members, and strengthen both the accounting function and the team behind it. The ideal candidate is a collaborative, proactive leader who can improve processes, solve problems, and serve as a trusted partner to the business.

Essential Job Functions

• Lead monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes, including review of financial statements, general ledger activity, reconciliations, journal entries, accruals, and supporting schedules to ensure timely and accurate reporting.
• Oversee CAM and tenant recovery reconciliations, including tenant billing adjustments and dispute resolution.
• Lead the annual property budgeting process; review completed budgets, support forecasting, variance analysis, and financial insights that inform business decisions.
• Oversee accounts payable, accounts receivable, collections, and general ledger accounting activities.
• Develop and continuously improve accounting policies, procedures, internal controls, systems, and reporting processes to strengthen accuracy, efficiency, and scalability.
• Maintain property insurance certificates for managed centers and coordinate information required for annual blanket policy renewals and workers’ compensation audits.
• Manage property insurance claims and coordinate with insurance brokers, property teams, and other stakeholders as necessary.
• Lead, coach, and develop the accounting team by establishing clear expectations, providing regular feedback, building accountability, and creating a collaborative, high‑performing culture.
• Lead the accounting aspects of property acquisitions, dispositions, and management transitions.
• Coordinate accounting support and financial reporting for audits, tax preparation, ownership, lenders, and other external stakeholders.
• Partner with Property Management and senior leadership to resolve accounting issues, improve processes, and support business decisions.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field and 7+ years of progressive accounting experience.
• Prior leadership experience with responsibility for supervising, developing, and guiding an accounting team required.
• Commercial real estate, retail real estate, or property management accounting experience strongly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of property accounting, financial reporting, general ledger accounting, reconciliations, month‑end close, CAM reconciliations, tenant recoveries, and property budgeting.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and experience with property management/accounting systems; MRI strongly preferred and Avid experience a plus.
• Experience using AI and emerging technologies to enhance accounting workflows, reporting, and decision-making.
• Demonstrated ability to strengthen controls, solve problems, and manage multiple priorities and deadlines with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.