Controller- Real Estate

Atlantic Group; New York (NY); On-site; USD 140,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Atlantic Group is seeking a high-impact Controller to oversee accounting and financial reporting for an open-ended mortgage REIT. You will lead REIT and loan accounting, technical GAAP analysis, and SEC reporting, while partnering with senior finance and investment professionals.

You will manage the external audit, internal controls, and team development, driving accuracy, controls, and timely reporting across the platform.

Qualifications

• Requires CPA and a Bachelor’s degree in accounting/finance.
• 7–10 years of progressive accounting experience, public and/or industry.
• Experience with REITs, loan accounting, and complex investments preferred.
• Strong SEC reporting knowledge and familiarity with reporting platforms.

Responsibilities

• Oversee REIT & loan accounting across platforms.
• Lead technical accounting research on GAAP and consolidations.
• Manage monthly/quarterly financial reporting and audit liaison.
• Support SEC reporting, controls, and SOX compliance.
• Direct portfolio accounting, cash, AP, and partner distributions.

Skills

Excel

Financial systems

SOX controls

Leadership

Communication

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

CPA

Tools

Yardi

MRI

Workiva

Active Disclosure

Job description

Join a growing commercial real estate investment platform in a highly visible Controller role overseeing accounting and financial reporting for an open-ended mortgage REIT. This position offers broad responsibility across loan and JV accounting, technical accounting, SEC reporting, audit, tax, internal controls, and team leadership while partnering closely with senior finance and investment professionals.

Responsibilities

• REIT & Loan Accounting: Manage accounting across an open-ended REIT, including commercial real estate loans, debt facilities, joint ventures, and partner activity.
• Technical Accounting: Research and apply complex U.S. GAAP guidance related to loan accounting, consolidations, VIEs, impairments, and other investment-related matters.
• Financial Reporting: Oversee monthly and quarterly financial reporting and partner with the fund administrator to ensure timely and accurate reporting across the platform.
• SEC Reporting: Support SEC financial reporting requirements and related reporting processes, controls, and documentation.
• Portfolio Accounting: Oversee accounting ledgers, loan tapes, bank reconciliations, cash positions, accounts payable, and partner distributions.
• Credit & Investment Monitoring: Partner with Investment and Asset Management teams on watch list loans, impairment triggers, loan closings, payoffs, and other portfolio activity.
• Investor & Counterparty Reporting: Support investor reporting and distribution models while preparing warehouse compliance reporting for financing counterparties.
• Audit Leadership: Manage the external audit process from planning through completion, including PBC requests, technical accounting support, and the overall auditor relationship.
• Internal Controls & SOX: Partner with the Chief Accounting Officer to develop, document, and enhance internal controls and the broader SOX control environment.
• Tax & REIT Compliance: Support quarterly and annual REIT qualification testing and oversee tax reporting across the REIT, joint ventures, and affiliated structures, including Forms 1099 and 1042.
• Team Leadership: Manage, mentor, and develop accounting professionals while driving accountability, process improvement, and strong execution across the accounting function.

Qualifications

• Education & Certification: Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field; CPA required.
• Experience: 7-10 years of progressive accounting experience with a combination of public accounting and industry experience strongly preferred.
• Industry Experience: Experience within a mortgage REIT, real estate credit platform, commercial real estate investment manager, or similar investment environment strongly preferred.
• Technical Accounting: Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP with experience in loan accounting, consolidation, VIE analysis, impairment considerations, and complex investment structures.
• SEC Reporting: Strong SEC financial reporting experience; familiarity with Workiva, Active Disclosure, or similar SEC reporting platforms preferred.
• Systems: Experience with real estate accounting systems such as Yardi, MRI, or similar platforms.
• Audit & Controls: Demonstrated experience managing external audits and working within or developing a robust internal control and SOX environment.
• Technical Skills: Strong Excel and financial systems capabilities with experience overseeing accounting and payment workflows.
• Leadership: Proven ability to manage and develop accounting professionals while partnering effectively with senior finance, investment, asset management, tax, and external stakeholders.
• Attributes: Hands-on, proactive, and highly detail-oriented with strong judgment, communication skills, and the ability to independently troubleshoot complex accounting issues.

Application Notice

Qualified candidates will be contacted within 2 business days of application. If an applicant does not meet the above criteria, Atlantic Group will keep your resume on file for future opportunities and may contact you for further discussion.