Controller

Cherry Bekaert Foundation; Silver Spring (MD); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Cherry Bekaert Foundation in Silver Spring, MD, is seeking a Controller to lead day-to-day accounting for a commercial/retail real estate portfolio in a hybrid role (3 days in-office).

You will own the close, prepare consolidated financials, and manage two Senior Accountants, ensuring internal controls and lender/investor reporting meets tax-basis standards.

Qualifications

• BA/BS in accounting or finance required, CPA preferred.
• 7+ years progressive accounting experience.
• 2+ years in a supervisory/management role.
• Real estate accounting experience with CAM, multi-entity consolidations.
• Proficiency with property accounting software and advanced Excel.

Responsibilities

• Own monthly, quarterly, and annual close for portfolio and entities.
• Prepare consolidated fin statements, P&L, and variance analyses.
• Ensure CAM reconciliations, tenant billings, depreciation, capex on tax basis.
• Review journal entries, reconciliations, and balance sheet schedules.
• Lead two Senior Accountants; document procedures and review checklists.
• Maintain internal controls over financial reporting and lender reporting.
• Oversee tax reporting, 1099s, property tax, insurance; liaison with tax preparers.
• Identify process improvements; own COA and system administration (Yardi/MRI/AppFolio).
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and cash management with CFO.
• Provide CFO with analyses for acquisitions, refinancing, dispositions.

Skills

Leadership

Excel advanced

Financial analysis

Team mentoring

Education

BS in Accounting or Finance

CPA preferred

Tools

Yardi

MRI

AppFolio

Job description

Controller

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• Silver Spring, MD

This is a hybrid role (3 days in-office).

Compensation: $150-170k + 10-15% bonus, depending on related expertise.

The Controller will lead day-to-day accounting operations for our commercial/retail real estate portfolio, ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting, strong internal controls, and compliance with income tax-basis accounting standards and lender/investor requirements.

This role partners closely with the CFO on financial strategy while managing a team of two Senior Accountants and owning the monthly close, property-level reporting, and compliance processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the monthly, quarterly, and annual close process across the property portfolio and corporate entities
• Prepare consolidated financial statements, property-level P&Ls, and variance analyses for the CFO and ownership/investors
• Ensure accurate accounting for CAM reconciliations, tenant billings, depreciation, and capital expenditures on an income tax basis
• Review and approve journal entries, account reconciliations, and balance sheet schedules prepared by the team

Team Leadership

• Manage, mentor, and develop two Senior Accountants, including workload allocation, performance reviews, and professional growth
• Establish and document accounting procedures and review checklists to ensure consistency across properties
• Serve as the escalation point for complex accounting issues raised by the team

Controls & Compliance

• Maintain and strengthen internal controls over financial reporting across the portfolio
• Serve as primary liaison for tax preparers and lender reporting requirements
• Ensure compliance with loan covenants, partnership agreements, and investor reporting obligations
• Oversee property tax, insurance, and 1099 reporting processes

Process & Systems

• Identify and implement process improvements and automation opportunities within the accounting function
• Own the chart of accounts and property accounting system administration (e.g., Yardi, MRI, or similar)
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and cash management in partnership with the CFO

Business Partnership

• Provide the CFO with financial analysis and ad hoc reporting to support acquisition due diligence, refinancing, and dispositions
• Collaborate with property management and asset management teams on operational and financial questions

Qualifications

• BS/BS in Accounting or Finance
• CPA preferred
• 7+ years of progressive accounting experience required
• 2+ years in a supervisory/management role required
• Commercial real estate accounting experience required (CAM reconciliations, multi-entity/property consolidations, income tax-basis reporting) required
• Knowledge of income tax-basis accounting principles as applied to real estate is preferred
• Proficiency with property accounting software (Yardi, MRI, AppFolio, or similar) and advanced Excel skills are preferred
• Experience managing lender and investor reporting cycles preferred
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple deadlines across a portfolio of properties are required
• Excellent communication skills and demonstrated ability to lead and develop a team are required