Controller

Cherry Bekaert Foundation; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Cherry Bekaert Foundation in Washington, DC is seeking a Controller to lead day-to-day accounting operations for our commercial/retail real estate portfolio. The role is hybrid (3 days in-office) and reports to the CFO, managing two Senior Accountants and owning the monthly close, property-level reporting, and compliance.

The ideal candidate will have a BS in Accounting or Finance, CPA preferred, 7+ years of progressive accounting experience, and strong leadership.

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
• Knowledge of income tax-basis accounting principles as applied to real estate preferred
• Proficiency with property accounting software (Yardi, MRI, AppFolio, or similar) and advanced Excel skills preferred
• Experience managing lender and investor reporting cycles preferred
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple deadlines across a portfolio

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 variances for CFO and ownership/investors
• Ensure accurate accounting for CAM reconciliations, tenant billings, depreciation, and capex on income tax basis
• Review and approve journal entries, reconciliations, and balance sheet schedules
• Lead and develop two Senior Accountants; establish procedures and checklists
• Maintain internal controls over financial reporting and liaise with tax preparers and lenders
• Oversee property tax, insurance, and 1099 reporting
• Identify process improvements and automation; manage chart of accounts and property systems
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and cash management with CFO

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Financial reporting

Internal controls

Lender reporting

Multi-entity accounting

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance

Tools

Yardi

MRI

AppFolio

Excel

Job description

Controller

Washington, DC

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

• Financial Reporting & Close
  • 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