Controller

Cobalt Recruitment; New York (NY); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Cobalt Recruitment seeks an experienced Controller to lead property accounting and financial reporting for a growing NYC multifamily portfolio. The role is hands-on and requires managing a distributed team while strengthening controls and processes across the portfolio.

You will own the close process, oversee financial reporting, and partner with Asset Management to analyze performance and NOI drivers, leveraging Yardi and Excel for detailed analysis.

Qualifications

• 6-8+ years of progressive accounting experience in real estate.
• Strong accrual accounting and property-level financial reporting knowledge.
• Experience managing accounting teams, including remote or outsourced professionals.
• Advanced knowledge of Yardi and Microsoft Excel.
• Experience with NYC real estate reporting requirements (RPIE, Tax Commission filings).
• Solid understanding of property-level A/P, A/R, reconciliations and cash management.
• Ability to operate hands-on while overseeing the broader accounting function.

Responsibilities

• Lead monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes across multiple properties.
• Review property-level financial statements for accuracy and timeliness.
• Oversee a distributed team of property accountants, including remote/offshore members.
• Manage bank, security deposit, tax, intercompany, and balance sheet reconciliations.
• Partner with Asset Management to analyze performance, variances and NOI drivers.
• Oversee accounts payable, accounts receivable, and cash management across the portfolio.
• Coordinate annual audits, tax requirements, lender reporting, and external reporting.
• Maintain and strengthen accounting policies, internal controls, and operating procedures.
• Identify opportunities to improve and scale accounting processes as the portfolio grows.
• Utilize Yardi as the primary property accounting system and support system improvements.
• Develop and enhance financial reporting and analysis in Excel.
• Oversee NYC-specific reporting and regulatory filings (RPIE, Tax Commission).
• Review and approve property-level reporting and regulatory filings.

Skills

Real estate accounting

Team leadership

Yardi

Excel

Regulatory reporting

Financial analysis

Internal controls

Tools

Yardi

Microsoft Excel

Job description

A growing, vertically integrated Real Estate investment and operating firm is looking to add a Controller to its team. The firm owns and operates a growing portfolio of multifamily assets throughout NYC and is seeking an experienced accounting leader to oversee property accounting and financial reporting across the portfolio.

Reporting into senior leadership, the Controller will take ownership of the property-level accounting function, oversee a team of accountants, and play an integral role in strengthening processes and controls as the portfolio continues to scale. This is a hands-on position requiring strong technical property accounting knowledge alongside the ability to effectively manage and develop a distributed team.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the monthly, quarterly, and annual close process across multiple properties and entities
• Review property-level financial statements and ensure accurate and timely reporting
• Oversee a team of property accountants, including remote and offshore team members
• Review bank, security deposit, tax, intercompany, and other balance sheet reconciliations
• Partner closely with Asset Management to analyze property performance, budget variances, and key NOI drivers
• Oversee accounts payable, accounts receivable, and cash management activities across the portfolio
• Coordinate annual audits, tax requirements, lender reporting, and other external reporting needs
• Maintain and strengthen accounting policies, internal controls, and operating procedures
• Identify opportunities to improve and scale accounting processes as the portfolio grows
• Utilize Yardi as the primary property accounting system and support ongoing system improvements
• Develop and enhance financial reporting and analysis through Microsoft Excel
• Oversee NYC-specific property reporting and regulatory requirements, including RPIE filings and Tax Commission/certiorari support
• Review and approve property-level reporting and regulatory filings

Qualifications

• 6-8+ years of progressive accounting experience with a strong background in real estate
• Strong understanding of accrual accounting and property-level financial reporting
• Prior experience managing and developing accounting teams, including remote or outsourced professionals
• Advanced knowledge of Yardi and Microsoft Excel
• Experience with NYC real estate reporting requirements, including RPIE and Tax Commission filings
• Strong understanding of property-level A/P, A/R, reconciliations, and cash management
• Ability to operate in a hands-on capacity while overseeing the broader accounting function
• Strong organizational, analytical, and communication skills
• Experience within NYC multifamily real estate strongly preferred