Controller

Professional Alternatives; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Professional Alternatives in Houston is seeking a Controller to oversee accounting and financial reporting for real estate development projects, with a strong focus on construction loan draws, project cost oversight, cash management, and lender/investor reporting.

The role provides leadership to the accounting team, ensures SOX compliance, supports tax and audit requirements, and partners with development, construction, and finance stakeholders across multiple ventures.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or a related field.
• 7+ years of accounting experience in real estate development.
• CPA license preferred.
• Experience with construction draw administration and review.
• Proficiency in Excel, GL accounting, financial analysis, and construction loan compliance.
• Experience supervising accounting personnel.

Responsibilities

• Review and manage construction loan draw packages and verify costs.
• Reconcile draw activity to GL and job cost records.
• Identify discrepancies and funding gaps before lender submission.
• Oversee monthly close, journal entries, reconciliations, and reviews across joint ventures.
• Coordinate lender and investor reporting and covenant compliance.
• Oversee fixed asset accounting and CIP balances.
• Manage cash flow projections, bank reconciliations, wire transfers, and funding.
• Review invoices and support audits and SOX compliance.
• Collaborate with lenders, investors, development and construction teams.
• Lead accounting staff and support process improvements and systems implementations.

Skills

Real estate accounting

Construction draw administration

Excel proficiency

Financial analysis

SOX compliance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting

CPA license preferred

Tools

Excel

Job description

***Must have prior experience as a Controller within real estate development.

Job Summary

The Controller will oversee accounting and financial reporting for real estate development projects, with a strong focus on construction loan draws, project cost oversight, cash management, and lender and investor reporting. This role will manage key accounting functions, support tax and audit requirements, maintain SOX compliance, and provide leadership to the accounting team while partnering with development, construction, and finance stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Review and manage construction loan draw packages, verifying project costs against budgets, contracts, change orders, lender requirements, and supporting documentation.
• Reconcile draw activity to general ledger and job cost records, loan balances, equity contributions, retainage, and remaining project costs.
• Identify and resolve discrepancies, funding gaps, unsupported expenses, and lien waiver issues before lender submission.
• Oversee monthly close, journal entries, account reconciliations, and financial statement reviews across multiple joint ventures and holding companies.
• Coordinate lender and investor reporting, including financial statements, covenant compliance, and required certifications.
• Oversee fixed asset accounting, construction-in-progress balances, capitalization decisions, depreciation, and reconciliation of project costs to the general ledger.
• Manage cash flow projections, bank reconciliations, wire transfers, and funding and payment coordination following receipt of draw proceeds.
• Review and approve invoices, coordinate tax return preparation with external advisors, and support audits and SOX compliance, including periodic control documentation.
• Collaborate with lenders, investors, development and construction teams, and internal finance partners to support project execution and financial accuracy.
• Lead and delegate work to accounting staff while supporting process improvements, systems implementations, and other departmental initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or a related field.
• 7+ years of accounting experience within real estate development.
• Active CPA license preferred.
• Demonstrated background in construction draw administration and review.
• Proficiency in Excel, general ledger accounting, financial analysis, and construction loan compliance.
• Strong attention to detail, communication skills, and ability to balance competing priorities across multiple projects.
• Experience supervising accounting personnel and overseeing workflow preferred.