Controller

Professional Alternatives; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Professional Alternatives seeks an experienced Controller to lead the accounting function across property, corporate, investment, treasury, and tax activities. The role requires hands-on leadership, strong GAAP expertise, and the ability to partner with executives, lenders, and external advisors.

You will manage close processes, strengthen controls, and build a high-performing team to support growth and complex entity structures. CPA preferred with CRE/finance background.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance required.
• Active CPA certification required.
• 10+ years of progressive, full-cycle accounting in CRE/financial services or related environment.
• Experience leading and developing accounting professionals across multiple functions.
• Strong understanding of financial reporting, controls, and complex entity structures.

Responsibilities

• Direct and manage accounting operations across property, corporate, investment, treasury, and tax functions.
• Lead accounting managers and ensure deadlines and deliverables are met.
• Oversee monthly/annual close, financial reporting, and internal controls for all entities.
• Develop and maintain accounting policies and control frameworks for accuracy and compliance.
• Collaborate with executives and lenders, investors, and external advisors on financial matters.
• Drive process improvements for efficiency, automation, and scalability.
• Provide financial insight for cash flow, forecasting, and strategic initiatives.
• Build a high-performing accounting team through coaching and development.

Skills

Financial reporting

Accounting leadership

GAAP knowledge

Internal controls

Cash forecasting

Cross-functional collaboration

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor's in Accounting or Finance

CPA certification

Tools

Yardi

ERP systems

Job description

***Exceptional team, lots of exciting growth happening within the company!

Position Overview

Our client is seeking an experienced Controller to lead the accounting function and provide financial oversight across the organization’s property, corporate, investment, treasury, and tax-related activities. This position will play a key role in maintaining accurate financial reporting, strengthening accounting processes and controls, and providing leadership with the financial information needed to support business decisions and growth.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on, strategic accounting leader who can manage through complexity, develop a strong team, improve existing processes, and partner effectively with executives, ownership, lenders, investors, and external advisors.

What You’ll Do

• Direct the company’s accounting operations across property accounting, corporate accounting, investment accounting, treasury, and tax functions.
• Lead and support accounting managers by establishing priorities, setting expectations, and maintaining accountability for deadlines and deliverables.
• Manage the monthly and annual close, financial reporting, internal controls, and accounting activities for property, corporate, holding company, and joint venture entities.
• Develop and maintain accounting policies, procedures, and control frameworks that promote accuracy, consistency, compliance, and protection of company assets.
• Act as a senior resource for complex accounting matters, including technical issues requiring research, judgment, documentation, and resolution.
• Partner with internal teams to address issues involving accounting, cash management, controls, reporting, and compliance.
• Evaluate existing accounting processes and systems to identify opportunities for greater efficiency, automation, scalability, and accuracy.
• Provide ownership and executive leadership with financial insight related to cash flow, forecasting, scenario analysis, transactions, and other strategic initiatives.
• Build and develop a high-performing accounting team through coaching, cross-training, collaboration, and professional development.
• Maintain strong working relationships with lenders, investors, outside accountants, attorneys, and other third-party partners.
• Help ensure the accounting function can effectively support the company’s continued growth and evolving business needs.

What We’re Looking For

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related discipline.
• Active CPA certification is required.
• 10+ years of progressive, full-cycle accounting experience within commercial real estate, financial services, or a closely related environment.
• Demonstrated experience leading and developing accounting professionals and managing across multiple functional areas.
• Strong understanding of financial reporting, accounting controls, and complex entity structures.
• Ability to work effectively with executives, ownership, lenders, investors, and external service providers.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to clearly explain financial and accounting matters to both accounting and non-accounting stakeholders.
• Proven ability to establish priorities, drive accountability, and independently move projects and initiatives forward.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem‑solving skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Yardi experience is preferred.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across departments while managing multiple priorities in a deadline‑driven environment.