Controller - Asset & Investment Management

CFO Vertical; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

CFO Vertical is seeking an experienced Controller to strengthen accounting operations, oversee multi-entity accounting, and build scalable processes for a new homebuilding platform. This hands-on role focuses on AI-driven workflows, investor reporting, and JV accounting, while leading a small accounting team.

The ideal candidate brings real estate accounting leadership, expertise in investment and syndication accounting, and a track record implementing automation, controls, and robust financial

Qualifications

• Controller-level or senior leadership in real estate investing, asset management, development, or related real estate business.
• Strong knowledge of investment and syndication accounting, including capital accounts and distributions.
• Experience with joint ventures, operating agreements, and multi-entity accounting.
• Proficiency using AI in accounting and finance workflows, including building workflows and validating outputs.
• Experience improving accounting operations, close processes, reconciliations, controls, and reporting.
• Strong Excel skills and proficiency with QuickBooks Online.
• Onsite availability in Irvine at least one day per week.

Responsibilities

• Lead AI and accounting automation initiatives to improve reporting and forecasting.
• Oversee investor capital accounts, JV reporting, and distributions.
• Establish accounting infrastructure for a new homebuilding platform with project costing and lender reporting.
• Provide hands-on leadership to a small accounting team and oversee month-end close and intercompany reconciliations.
• Document policies, controls, and workflows for a scalable internal accounting function.

Skills

Real estate experience

AI in accounting

Multi-entity accounting

Excel proficiency

QuickBooks Online

Independent with team

Tools

QuickBooks Online

Claude AI

Job description

An established real estate asset and investment management firm is seeking an experienced Controller to strengthen accounting operations and build the financial infrastructure for a new homebuilding platform.

This hands-on role will oversee multi-entity accounting, improve investor and joint venture reporting, and establish scalable processes ahead of increased construction activity. Real estate industry experience and strong proficiency applying AI to accounting workflows are essential. The ideal candidate combines technical accounting expertise with practical experience implementing automation, developing controls, and supporting a small accounting team.

Responsibilities:

AI and Accounting Automation

• Lead the adoption of AI tools, particularly Claude, to improve accounting efficiency, financial reporting, and forecasting.
• Develop AI-assisted workflows for invoice processing, reconciliation support, transaction analysis, variance analysis, and reporting preparation.
• Establish thorough review procedures to validate AI outputs against source records before reports are finalized or shared.
• Document repeatable workflows and train accounting personnel on their use.

Real Estate Investment and Joint Venture Accounting

• Oversee investor capital accounts, contributions, preferred returns, promote waterfalls, distributions, and investor reporting.
• Review calculations and allocations for consistency with partnership and operating agreements.
• Reconcile financial information received from operating partners and maintain corresponding investment records.
• Reconcile joint venture activity, investment draws, operating expenses, and intercompany balances.
• Develop standardized quarterly reporting packages and resolve discrepancies with partners.

Homebuilding and Construction Accounting

• Establish accounting infrastructure for a new homebuilding platform before transaction volume increases.
• Implement project-level job costing, cost coding, construction draw procedures, and lender reporting.
• Build scalable AP workflows, invoice approval procedures, and payment controls.
• Develop reporting to monitor project budgets, costs, commitments, and cash requirements.

Accounting Leadership and Financial Reporting

• Assess existing systems, entity structures, accounting processes, and financial reporting.
• Provide hands-on oversight and support to the existing bookkeeper.
• Strengthen bank reconciliations, month-end close procedures, intercompany reconciliations, and the chart of accounts.
• Establish close schedules, supporting workpapers, internal controls, and reporting templates.
• Oversee records maintained in QuickBooks Online and certain investment books maintained in QuickBooks Desktop.

Treasury and Transition Support

• Improve cash management and update corporate financial projections.
• Prepare cash forecasts incorporating investment activity, distributions, construction spending, and funding needs.
• Document accounting policies and procedures for a sustainable internal accounting function.
• Support recruiting, onboarding, and training a future full-time accounting professional.
• Transition responsibilities to the permanent hire and identify ongoing advisory needs.

Required Qualifications:

• Controller-level or comparable accounting leadership experience in real estate investment, asset management, development, or a closely related real estate business.
• Strong knowledge of investment and syndication accounting, including capital accounts, preferred returns, promote waterfalls, and distributions.
• Experience with joint ventures, operating agreements, and multi-entity accounting.
• Demonstrated proficiency using AI in accounting and finance, including building workflows and thoroughly reviewing outputs.
• Experience improving accounting operations, close processes, reconciliations, internal controls, and reporting.
• Strong Excel skills and proficiency with QuickBooks Online.
• Ability to work independently while providing hands-on support and oversight to a small team.
• Availability to work onsite in Irvine at least one day per week during the Monday-Thursday office schedule.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Three to five years of public accounting experience, ideally serving real estate or construction clients.
• Direct experience applying Claude to accounting, financial analysis, or reporting.
• Homebuilding or construction accounting experience, including job costing, construction draws, and lender reporting.
• Familiarity with QuickBooks Desktop.
• Experience building accounting infrastructure and transitioning responsibilities to an internal accounting team.