Controller

Newfi Wholesale; Emeryville (CA); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) matching

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Performance-based incentives

Leadership visibility and career growth opportunities

Job summary

Newfi Wholesale in Emeryville, CA is looking for a skilled Controller to join our Finance team. This role involves overseeing accounting operations, ensuring accurate financial reporting, and improving processes. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in mortgage banking.

This position offers leadership development opportunities, competitive compensation, and a flexible work environment.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressive accounting or finance experience.
• Prior experience as a Controller or similar role preferred.
• Strong understanding of mortgage banking accounting.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily accounting operations and financial reporting.
• Manage mortgage-specific accounting activity.
• Develop and maintain accounting policies and internal controls.

Skills

Accounting experience

Financial analysis

GAAP knowledge

Leadership

Analytical skills

Strong Excel skills

Education

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

Tools

Financial systems

Mortgage LOS platforms

Job description

Industry

Financial Services / Mortgage Lending

About Newfi Lending

Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Emeryville, CA, Newfi Lending is backed by Apollo Global Management and has grown into one of the nation’s leading Non‑QM lenders. Newfi is recognized for innovation, operational excellence, and delivering flexible lending solutions that meet the evolving needs of borrowers and mortgage professionals.

We are building a high‑performing, forward‑thinking team focused on redefining modern mortgage lending through technology, strategic partnerships, and product innovation.

Apply today to join our team!

Position Summary

Newfi Lending is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Controller to join our Finance team. This role will be responsible for overseeing accounting operations, financial reporting, internal controls, month‑end close, audit support, and mortgage‑specific accounting activity for a growing mortgage lending platform.

This is a hands‑on leadership opportunity for someone with strong technical accounting experience, preferably within mortgage banking, wholesale lending, correspondent lending, Non‑QM, or financial services. The ideal candidate will be comfortable managing the day‑to‑day accounting function while also partnering with executive leadership to improve financial visibility, strengthen processes, and support continued company growth.

This position is designed for a finance leader who is looking to expand beyond traditional controllership responsibilities and develop toward broader CFO‑level responsibilities over time. The Controller will work cross‑functionally with Executive Leadership, Capital Markets, Secondary Marketing, Treasury, FP&A, Operations, Compliance, Risk, and Sales to support accurate reporting, scalable processes, operational discipline, and long‑term financial strategy.

Key Responsibilities

Accounting Operations & Financial Reporting

• Oversee daily accounting operations, including general ledger, reconciliations, accounts payable, accounts receivable, financial reporting, and month‑end close.
• Lead month‑end, quarter‑end, and year‑end close processes to ensure accurate and timely financial reporting.
• Prepare and review financial statements, balance sheets, income statements, cash flow reporting, executive reporting packages, and supporting schedules.
• Maintain financial integrity within the general ledger and ensure accounting records, transactions, and reconciliations are accurate and properly documented.
• Identify opportunities to improve close timelines, reporting processes, system workflows, reconciliations, and overall accounting efficiency.

Mortgage Banking Accounting & Reconciliations

• Manage mortgage‑specific accounting activity, including loan funding, loan sales, gain‑on‑sale accounting, warehouse line activity, investor proceeds, servicing‑related items, and related reconciliations.
• Oversee warehouse line reconciliations, including funding activity, paydowns, fees, interest, outstanding balances, and investor settlements.
• Partner with Capital Markets, Secondary Marketing, Treasury, Operations, and Executive Leadership to ensure accurate reporting and alignment across loan sale, funding, and investor activity.
• Support cash management, liquidity planning, and daily funding requirements in partnership with senior leadership.

Internal Controls, Audit & Compliance

• Develop, improve, and maintain accounting policies, procedures, internal controls, and documentation to support compliance, audit readiness, investor requirements, and scalable growth.
• Serve as a key point of contact for external audits, internal audits, investor reviews, warehouse lender requirements, regulatory exams, and other financial reporting requests.
• Ensure accounting processes and reporting standards are aligned with GAAP, company policies, investor expectations, and applicable mortgage banking requirements.
• Strengthen internal controls and help build scalable accounting workflows that support future growth, expanded product offerings, and increased loan volume.
• Review and analyze financial statements from prospective partners Newfi may purchase loans from to support partner due diligence, risk assessment, and overall business decision‑making.

Financial Analysis & Executive Partnership

• Partner with Executive Leadership, FP&A, Treasury, Capital Markets, Secondary Marketing, Operations, Compliance, Risk, and Sales to support budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis, expense management, production reporting, profitability analysis, and operational KPIs.
• Provide meaningful financial analysis to leadership, including cost‑saving opportunities, revenue growth drivers, margin trends, production performance, expense controls, and profitability insights.
• Assist in developing financial dashboards, reporting tools, and executive‑level reporting packages that provide greater visibility into company performance.
• Support strategic planning, operational finance, and business initiatives that help drive financial discipline and long‑term growth.

Leadership & Growth Development

• Lead, coach, and develop accounting team members while promoting accuracy, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Partner cross‑functionally with finance and non‑finance leaders to improve communication, reporting accuracy, and operational alignment.
• Take on broader finance leadership responsibilities over time, including increased involvement in forecasting, strategic planning, operational finance, executive reporting, and CFO‑level business partnership.
• Serve as a trusted finance partner to Newfi’s leadership team by bringing strong accounting discipline, analytical insight, and a growth‑oriented mindset.

Requirements

• 7+ years of progressive accounting or finance experience, preferably within mortgage banking, wholesale lending, correspondent lending, Non‑QM, financial services, or a closely related industry.
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field required.
• Prior experience as a Controller, Assistant Controller, Accounting Manager, Director of Accounting, VP Controller, or similar accounting/finance leadership role preferred.
• Strong understanding of mortgage banking accounting, including loan funding, loan sales, warehouse lines, gain‑on‑sale, investor settlements, reconciliations, and financial reporting.
• Experience with financial statement preparation, month‑end close, audit support, internal controls, accounting memos, policies, and procedures.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP and financial reporting requirements.
• Experience partnering with FP&A, Treasury, Capital Markets, Secondary Marketing, Operations, Compliance, Risk, Sales, and Executive Leadership.
• Strong analytical skills with experience in variance analysis, budgeting, forecasting, expense management, profitability reporting, operational KPIs, and executive reporting.
• Experience working with auditors, warehouse lenders, investors, tax advisors, and third‑party partners.
• Strong Excel and financial systems skills.
• Demonstrated ability to improve processes, shorten close timelines, strengthen controls, and build scalable accounting workflows.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to clearly present financial information to both finance and non‑finance stakeholders.
• Leadership experience with the ability to develop, mentor, and motivate accounting or finance team members.

Preferred Qualifications

• CPA or MBA preferred, but not required.
• Wholesale mortgage lending experience.
• Non‑QM, DSCR, Agency, Jumbo, HELOC, Second Lien, or investor lending product experience.
• Experience supporting a mortgage platform or financial services company through growth, change, or increased production volume.
• Experience with FP&A partnership, operational finance, executive reporting, board‑level reporting, or CFO‑facing analysis.
• Experience with financial modeling, compensation modeling, P&L oversight, margin analysis, liquidity planning, and strategic planning.
• Experience improving internal controls, policies, procedures, audit readiness, and finance infrastructure.
• Prior public accounting or audit background is a plus.
• Experience with mortgage LOS platforms, accounting systems, ERP platforms, warehouse reporting portals, and reporting tools preferred.

What Success Looks Like

• Accurate and timely monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reporting.
• Improved close timelines, accounting workflows, reconciliations, and reporting processes.
• Strong internal controls, audit readiness, and scalable finance infrastructure.
• Clear financial visibility for executive leadership across production, profitability, expenses, liquidity, and operational KPIs.
• Effective partnership with Capital Markets, Secondary Marketing, Treasury, Operations, Compliance, Risk, Sales, and Executive Leadership.
• Strong accounting team performance, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Increased involvement in broader finance leadership responsibilities with a clear path toward CFO‑level business partnership over time.
• Competitive compensation package
• Performance‑based incentive opportunities
• 401(k) matching program
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Leadership visibility and career growth opportunities
• Flexible remote work environment

Newfi Lending is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We respect and aim to empower individuals and support the diverse cultures, perspectives, skills and experiences within our workforce.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by persons assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all associated responsibilities, skills, efforts, and working conditions. The Company reserves the rights to change, amend, add, delete, and otherwise assign any and all duties, responsibilities, and position titles, as it deems necessary to meet the needs of the business.