Controller (Property Accounting)

Vaco by Highspring; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Vaco by Highspring is seeking a Head of Property Accounting to lead the accounting and reporting function for a growing real estate portfolio. You will drive modernization, automation, and scalable processes while partnering with property and asset management.

The role requires deep real estate accounting expertise, strong technology acumen, and the ability to build and mentor high-performing teams as the portfolio expands through acquisitions and growth initiatives.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive accounting experience, with 4+ years in a supervisory or managerial role.
• CPA certification preferred but not required.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP and real estate accounting principles.
• Proven ability to scale accounting operations for large portfolios.

Responsibilities

• Lead accounting and reporting for a growing multifamily portfolio across lifecycle stages.
• Drive automation and standardized processes across platforms including Yardi.
• Oversee close processes and coordinate with external auditors.
• Develop policies, procedures and internal controls compliant with GAAP.
• Mentor and scale a high-performing accounting team as the business grows.
• Partner with property and asset management to support strategic decisions.

Skills

Real estate accounting

GAAP

Leadership

Financial reporting

Yardi

MRI

Automation

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting or finance

CPA preferred

Tools

Yardi

MRI

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

COMPANY OVERVIEW

Our client is a growing real estate investment and development platform focused on acquiring, developing, and managing high-quality assets across multiple investment vehicles and operating entities. Backed by institutional capital and an experienced leadership team, the company continues to expand its portfolio and investment platform while building scalable infrastructure to support long-term growth.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Head of Property Accounting, reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, will lead the accounting and reporting function. This leader will be accountable for accurate portfolio reporting, strong financial governance and scalable processes that support our continued growth.

This role will drive operational transformation while partnering closely with property management, asset management and other key stakeholders. Success requires a hands-on, strategic leader with deep real estate accounting expertise, strong technology acumen and the ability to build high-performing teams. This team is expected to double in size over the next 3-4 years through continued growth via acquisition and organic growth initiatives.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead accounting and reporting activities for a growing portfolio of multifamily assets across the asset lifecycle, including acquisitions, development stabilizations, operations and dispositions.
• Drive modernization initiatives focused on automation, process standardization, reporting efficiency, scalable accounting infrastructure, and improved systems and workflows across Yardi and other reporting platforms, including opportunities to leverage technology and AI-enabled reporting solutions.
• Oversee monthly, quarterly and annual close processes for the portfolio, ensuring accurate, timely and complete financial reporting. Partner with external auditors throughout the audit process.
• Develop, implement, and maintain accounting policies, procedures and internal controls in compliance with GAAP and company standards, including guidance for complex transactions, dispositions and emerging accounting considerations.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of accounting professionals while driving alignment, accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and operational excellence as the function scales.
• Serve as a trusted accounting partner to property management, asset management, development, corporate accounting and other business leaders by providing financial insight, reporting transparency, and accounting guidance to support strategic decisions and investment growth.

DESIRED BACKGROUND

• 10+ years of progressive accounting experience, with 4+ years in a supervisory or managerial role, preferably in property management or real estate.
• CPA certification preferred but not required
• Strong technical accounting skills and proficiency in GAAP; deep knowledge of real estate accounting principles.
• Proficient in real estate financial management software (e.g., Yardi, MRI and others) and Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Demonstrated experience leading complex accounting operations across large real estate portfolios
• Experience managing, developing and scaling high-performing teams in fast-paced, growth-oriented environments, with focus on accountability, collaboration and operational excellence.
• Strong background in process improvement, automation, organizational scaling, and finance or accounting transformation initiatives.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across departments and levels of the organization, focused on building an engaged and efficient team.

By submitting to this position, you are agreeing to be included in our talent pool for future hiring for similarly qualified positions.

Equal Opportunity Notice

Highspring LLC (d/b/a Vaco by Highspring) and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries ("we," "our," or "Vaco by Highspring") are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race (including but not limited to traits historically associated with race such as hair texture and hair style), color, sex (includes pregnancy or related conditions), religion or creed, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, status as a veteran, union membership, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, or any other protected characteristics as required by applicable law. The company is also committed to ensuring that persons who need them are provided with reasonable accommodations; if an accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact [e-mail].

Vaco by Highspring also wants all applicants to know their rights that workplace discrimination is illegal.

Representation Notice

By submitting to this position, you agree that you will be giving Vaco by Highspring the exclusive right to present your as a candidate for the foregoing employment opportunity. Additionally, you agree to be included in our talent pool for future hiring for similarly qualified positions. You further agree that you have represented information about yourself accurately and have not affirmatively misrepresented your qualifications. Lastly, you agree to maintain as confidential, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any information you learn from Vaco by Highspring about the position and you will limit disclosure of information about the position only to the extent necessary to perform any obligations in furtherance of your application. In exchange, Vaco by Highspring agrees to exercise reasonable efforts to represent you through all solicitation, job screening and resume dispersal.

For residents of Ontario, Canada only: to the extent the position for employment is not with Highspring or not otherwise noted as vacant above, candidate should be informed that this role is to replace a presently employed person at Vaco by Highspring's client.

Privacy Notice

Vaco by Highspring respects your privacy and are committed to providing transparent notice of our policies.

• California residents may access Vaco by Highspring HR Notice at Collection for California Applicants and Employees here.
• Virginia residents may access our state specific policies here.
• Residents of all other states may access our policies here.
• Canadian residents may access our policies in English here and in French here.
• Residents of countries governed by GDPR and UK GDPR may access our policies here.

Additionally, submissions to this position are subject to the use of AI to perform preliminary candidate screenings, focused on ensuring minimum job requirements noted in the position are satisfied. More details about Vaco by Highspring's use of AI can be found here (https://www.highspring.com/ai-use-notices/). Further assessment of candidates beyond this initial phase will be conducted by recruiters and hiring managers. Vaco by Highspring does not know and cannot opine on if its client's use of AI products in hiring.

Pay Transparency Notice

Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco by Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to:

• the individual's skill sets, experience and training;
• licensure and certification requirements;
• office location and other geographic considerations; and
• other business and organizational needs.

With that said, as required by local law, Vaco by Highspring believes that the following salary range referenced above reasonably estimates the base compensation for an individual hired into this position in geographies that require salary range disclosure. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses and/or participation in medical, dental, and vision benefits as well as the company's retirement plan (or similar retirement benefits).