Controller

Elevate Recruiting; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 203,000 - 248,000; Full time

Job summary

Elevate Recruiting is partnering with a prestigious real estate investment firm to recruit a Controller to oversee accounting for a large multifamily portfolio. The role focuses on leading close processes, partner with cross-functional teams, and maintaining strong internal controls.

The Controller will mentor accounting staff, drive process improvements, and ensure accurate financial reporting across properties while supporting budgeting, forecasting, and audit activities.

Qualifications

• Oversee month-, quarter-, and year-end closes for a portfolio of multifamily properties.
• Review journal entries, reconciliations, and schedules for accuracy.
• Ensure GAAP compliance and proper financial reporting across multiple entities.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop Staff and Senior Property Accountants.
• Coordinate audits with external auditors and support annual budgeting and cash flow planning.
• Identify and implement process improvements to improve efficiency and reporting accuracy.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Analytical thinking

Communication

Time management

GAAP knowledge

Staff supervision

Cross-functional partnering

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance

CPA designation

Master's degree

Tools

Yardi

Job description

Compensation: Up to $225,000 Base + Discretionary Bonus

Elevate is partnering with a prestigious real estate investment firm with a long history of acquiring, operating, and enhancing residential & multifamily properties throughout the United States. They are seeking a Controller to oversee the accounting operations for a large multifamily real estate portfolio.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced real estate accounting professional who enjoys leading teams, improving processes, and partnering cross-functionally to support operational and financial performance. The Controller will oversee the financial reporting for several multifamily properties while mentoring accounting staff, driving process improvements, and serving as a key business partner.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close process for a portfolio of multifamily properties.
• Review and approve journal entries, account reconciliations, and supporting schedules prepared by the accounting team.
• Ensure accurate accounting for rental revenue, operating expenses, accruals, prepaid assets, fixed assets, depreciation, debt activity, and other property transactions.
• Review monthly financial statements, balance sheet reconciliations, and variance analyses for completeness and accuracy.
• Support consolidated financial reporting, fund-level reporting, and management reporting requirements.
• Assist with annual budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow planning across the assigned portfolio.
• Review property-level financial performance and investigate significant budget-to-actual variances.
• Identify opportunities to improve accounting workflows, reporting processes, and internal controls.
• Maintain compliance with GAAP and company accounting policies.
• Ensure the integrity of financial reporting across multiple legal entities and properties.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Staff and Senior Property Accountants.
• Review team deliverables to ensure quality, accuracy, and timely completion.
• Assist with hiring, onboarding, training, coaching, and performance development.
• Serve as the team's primary technical accounting resource and escalation point.
• Drive initiatives that increase efficiency, scalability, and reporting accuracy.
• Coordinate annual audit requests and prepare supporting documentation.
• Partner with external auditors during financial statement audits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related discipline. CPA designation and/or Master's degree.
• 9+ years of progressive accounting experience. Combination of public accounting and private industry experience preferred.
• Experience with multifamily portfolios, partnership accounting, investment accounting, or fund reporting.
• Previous experience supervising, mentoring, or leading accounting professionals.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP and financial reporting.
• Property accounting experience, preferably within multifamily or residential real estate.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while meeting deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience with property management accounting systems such as Yardi.