Property Accounting Controller

Cherry Bekaert Recruiting & Staffing Services; Washington; On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Cherry Bekaert Recruiting & Staffing Services seeks a Property Accounting Controller to lead portfolio accounting, financial reporting, and controls for a diverse real estate portfolio. The role reports to Finance leadership and collaborates across Asset, Property, and Finance teams to drive performance and compliance.

Responsibilities include close processes, budget development, and interface with external auditors, with a focus on accuracy, efficiency, and data integrity across properties.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive accounting and leadership experience within the real estate industry.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing property-level accounting for office, retail, industrial, multifamily, and/or development assets.
• Strong understanding of GAAP, financial reporting, internal controls, and real estate accounting principles.
• Extensive experience with account reconciliations, lease administration, and property financial reporting.
• Advanced proficiency with MRI and/or Yardi software strongly preferred.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including financial modeling, Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, and complex spreadsheet analysis.
• Strong budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis experience.
• Proven leadership experience managing and developing accounting professionals.
• Exceptional analytical, organizational, and problem-solving capabilities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to effectively collaborate across multiple business functions.
• Ability to work independently and thrive in a private company environment.
• Detail-oriented with a commitment to accuracy, accountability, and continuous process improvement.
• Experience improving accounting workflows, implementing best practices, and enhancing reporting efficiency preferred.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines simultaneously.

Responsibilities

• Lead the monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes for a large and diverse real estate portfolio.
• Maintain a complete and accurate general ledger in accordance with GAAP and company accounting policies.
• Prepare comprehensive financial statements, including balance sheets, income statements, cash flow statements, and supporting schedules.
• Collaborate with Asset Management, Property Management, and Finance teams to develop annual operating budgets and forecasts.
• Perform detailed variance analyses and provide insights into portfolio performance and key operating metrics.
• Coordinate with external CPA firms on annual audits, tax preparation, and related financial reporting requirements.
• Partner with external consultants on annual income and expense reporting and other compliance-related initiatives.
• Develop, maintain, and improve accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls to safeguard company assets and ensure GAAP compliance.
• Review and approve journal entries, bank reconciliations, account reconciliations, and financial statements prepared by staff.
• Ensure the accuracy, consistency, and timeliness of financial reporting across all properties within the portfolio.
• Standardize accounting workflows and implement best practices to improve efficiency, reporting quality, and data integrity within MRI.
• Serve as the primary liaison between Accounting, Asset Management, and Property Management teams to resolve accounting and operational issues.
• Support special projects, acquisitions, dispositions, development projects, and ad hoc reporting requests as needed.

Skills

Leadership

GAAP expertise

Financial analysis

Communication

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting

Tools

MRI

Yardi

Excel

ERP systems

Job description

Exciting opportunity for a Property Accounting Controller to provide leadership in property accounting, financial reporting, and portfolio analysis for a private real estate investment firm. This position reports to the Corporate Controller and will work closely with Asset Management, Property Management, and Finance leadership in a collaborative environment. This individual will be responsible for overseeing the financial management of a diverse real estate portfolio, ensuring the integrity of property-level accounting, financial reporting, internal controls, budgeting, and operational efficiency. The ideal candidate brings strong technical accounting expertise, leadership experience, and a proactive approach to driving portfolio performance.

Responsibilities

• Lead the monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes for a large and diverse real estate portfolio, including office, retail, industrial, multifamily, and development properties.
• Maintain a complete and accurate general ledger in accordance with GAAP and company accounting policies.
• Prepare comprehensive financial statements, including balance sheets, income statements, cash flow statements, and supporting schedules.
• Collaborate with Asset Management, Property Management, and Finance teams to develop annual operating budgets and forecasts.
• Perform detailed variance analyses and provide insights into portfolio performance and key operating metrics.
• Coordinate with external CPA firms on annual audits, tax preparation, and related financial reporting requirements.
• Partner with external consultants on annual income and expense reporting and other compliance-related initiatives.
• Develop, maintain, and improve accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls to safeguard company assets and ensure compliance with GAAP.
• Review and approve journal entries, bank reconciliations, account reconciliations, and financial statements prepared by staff.
• Ensure the accuracy, consistency, and timeliness of financial reporting across all properties within the portfolio.
• Standardize accounting workflows and implement best practices to improve efficiency, reporting quality, and data integrity within MRI.
• Serve as the primary liaison between Accounting, Asset Management, and Property Management teams to resolve accounting and operational issues.
• Support special projects, acquisitions, dispositions, development projects, and ad hoc reporting requests as needed.

Leadership & Management Responsibilities

• Directly supervise, mentor, and develop a team of 4-6 Property Accountants.
• Oversee the daily operations of the Property Accounting department, ensuring all reporting deadlines are met.
• Manage workload distribution across the accounting team to maintain productivity and efficiency, particularly during audit and budget cycles.
• Provide ongoing training, coaching, and technical accounting guidance to staff members.
• Conduct performance reviews and identify opportunities for professional growth and career development.
• Ensure quality control over accounting processes, financial reporting, and reconciliations produced by the team.
• Foster a collaborative, accountable, and high-performing work environment.

Desired Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive accounting and leadership experience within the real estate industry.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing property-level accounting for office, retail, industrial, multifamily, and/or development assets.
• Strong understanding of GAAP, financial reporting, internal controls, and real estate accounting principles.
• Extensive experience with account reconciliations, lease administration, and property financial reporting.
• Advanced proficiency with MRI and/or Yardi software strongly preferred.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including financial modeling, Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, and complex spreadsheet analysis.
• Strong budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis experience.
• Proven leadership experience managing and developing accounting professionals.
• Exceptional analytical, organizational, and problem-solving capabilities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to effectively collaborate across multiple business functions.
• Ability to work independently and thrive in a private company environment.
• Detail-oriented with a commitment to accuracy, accountability, and continuous process improvement.
• Experience improving accounting workflows, implementing best practices, and enhancing reporting efficiency preferred.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines simultaneously.