Director, Assistant Controller, Private Real Estate

Cohen & Steers; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 145,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Cohen & Steers is seeking a Director, Assistant Controller for Private Real Estate in New York City. This role requires oversight of accounting, financial reporting, and compliance with US GAAP. The ideal candidate has 6-9 years of experience in equity REITs, holds a CPA license, and possesses strong technical accounting knowledge. The position offers the opportunity to work in a hybrid model, with presence required in the NYC office four days a week.

Qualifications

• 6-9 years of related experience auditing or working at equity REITs or historical cost real estate funds.
• Big 4 Public accounting experience is recommended.
• Demonstrates inclusive behaviors in support of a culture that values diverse perspectives.

Responsibilities

• Ensure all investments are accounted for in accordance with US GAAP.
• Oversight of third-party administrators and joint venture partners.
• Analyze monthly and quarterly financial statement variances.

Skills

Strong technical accounting knowledge

Attention to detail

Strong communication skills

Proficiency in Microsoft Excel

Critical thinking

Education

BA/BS in Accounting

CPA license

Job description

Job Title: Director, Assistant Controller, Private Real Estate

Department: Finance

Reports To: Vice President, Private Equity Controller

FLSA Code: Exempt

Estimated Salary: $145,000 - $160,000

Job Summary

Integral part of a team that plays a critical role in the oversight for accounting, financial reporting, valuation, treasury, and operations for our a public Non‑Traded REIT, with additional exposure to a private equity fund. Unparalleled exposure across public and private real estate vehicles (both historical cost and fair value). Cohen & Steers is committed to an inclusive culture, valuing diversity in support of our people and clients.

Major Responsibilities/Activities

• Ensuring that all investments are accounted for in accordance with US GAAP. Conduct technical accounting research and ensure appropriate application to investments. Complex accounting areas can include purchase price accounting, impairments, consolidation accounting, lease accounting, derivatives, valuation, NAV reporting, and implementation of new accounting standards
• Ownership of monthly and quarterly SEC filings, such as 8‑Ks, 10‑Qs and 10‑Ks and gain significant financial reporting experience
• Act as primary for oversight of third‑party administrators and joint venture partners who generally prepare monthly and quarterly financial statement packages
• Frequent collaboration with investment and legal personnel
• Analyze monthly and quarterly financial statement variances
• Ability to review and gain experience on both historical accounting and fair value books and records
• Maintain and enhance efficient SOX‑compliant internal controls and business processes
• Ability to gain treasury experience by analyzing cash positions and ensuring movement of cash across entities for acquisitions, capital calls and cash distributions are made timely
• Assist in the valuation process by reviewing certain valuations provided by our independent valuation advisor

Minimum Requirements

• 6-9 years of related experience auditing or working at equity REITs or other historical cost real estate funds (historical cost accounting experience is required)
• BA/BS in Accounting
• Big 4 Public accounting experience is recommended
• CPA license is required
• Demonstrates inclusive behaviors in support of a culture that values diverse perspectives
• Agrees to comply with the firm’s hybrid work policy (“work from home policy,” as aligned with the Company’s employee handbook), which currently requires reporting to the Company’s New York City office four (4) days per week, with one (1) remote workday permitted.

The ideal candidate would have the following skills

• Strong technical accounting/historical cost accounting/US GAAP knowledge
• Strong attention to detail, follows tasks through to completion and has a high sense of urgency
• Ability to multi‑task, be efficient and execute on deadlines
• Strong communication skills, excellent interpersonal skills, both oral and written
• Ability to institutionalize processes
• Comfortable working in a changing and dynamic environment
• Self‑starter, someone who can operate in a fast‑paced environment and can work independently and responsibly with limited supervision
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel
• Motivation to take on additional tasks and get a wide breadth of exposure
• Critical thinking

Note

This job description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions; it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. The job title or duties and responsibilities may be changed by the Company at any time.