Property Accounting Controller

Cherry Bekaert Recruiting & Staffing Services; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Cherry Bekaert Recruiting & Staffing Services is seeking a Property Accounting Controller to lead accounting, reporting, and portfolio analysis for a private real estate investment firm. You will oversee the integrity of property-level accounting, coordinate with Asset Management and Finance leadership, and ensure GAAP compliance across a diversified portfolio.

Responsibilities include leading close processes, preparing financial statements, budgeting, variance analyses, and interfacing with

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in real estate accounting and reporting.

Responsibilities

• Lead monthly, quarterly, and annual close for a diverse real estate portfolio.
• Maintain general ledger per GAAP and policies.
• Prepare financial statements and supporting schedules.
• Collaborate with Asset & Property Management and Finance teams on budgets and forecasts.
• Perform variance analyses and provide portfolio insights.
• Coordinate audits and tax reporting with CPA firms.
• Develop, implement, and improve accounting policies and internal controls.
• Review journal entries, reconciliations, and financial statements.
• Ensure timely, accurate reporting across all properties.

Skills

Leadership

GAAP knowledge

Financial analysis

Variance analysis

Budgeting

Forecasting

Microsoft Excel

Financial modeling

MRI/Yardi proficiency

Communication skills

Team mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance

Tools

MRI

Yardi

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.