A commercial real estate organization is seeking an experienced Property Controller to lead property accounting and financial reporting across a diversified portfolio. This position will oversee the accounting function at the asset level, including financial close, reporting, controls, CAM reconciliations, budgeting support, and portfolio-level accounting processes.
The Property Controller will also lead and develop members of the accounting team while working closely with Property Management, Asset Management, Finance, and senior leadership. This is a hands-on leadership position suited for someone who combines deep commercial real estate accounting knowledge with the ability to improve processes, develop people, and support a growing portfolio.
Key Responsibilities
Property Accounting Leadership
- Provide oversight of property accounting activities across a commercial real estate portfolio.
- Lead monthly, quarterly, and year-end close processes for assigned properties and entities.
- Establish consistent accounting practices, deadlines, and reporting standards across the portfolio.
- Review the work of the property accounting team and ensure financial information is complete, accurate, and delivered on schedule.
- Lead, coach, and develop accounting professionals while establishing clear expectations and accountability.
- Participate in hiring, onboarding, performance management, and ongoing development of team members.
Financial Reporting & Portfolio Analysis
- Oversee preparation and review of property-level financial statements in accordance with GAAP.
- Review financial reporting packages and consolidated portfolio information.
- Analyze property performance, budget-to-actual results, and significant financial variances.
- Support forecasting, annual budgeting, and property business planning.
- Partner with Property Management and Asset Management to research financial results and resolve accounting issues.
- Provide financial information and analysis to support management and executive-level decision-making.
Property Accounting, Compliance & Controls
- Maintain strong accounting procedures and internal controls across property-level operations.
- Oversee CAM reconciliations, operating expense recoveries, and related tenant accounting.
- Ensure property accounting activity aligns with applicable lease requirements.
- Review account reconciliations and investigate material or unusual variances.
- Support internal and external audit requirements.
- Coordinate with corporate accounting, tax professionals, and other advisors as needed.
- Identify areas where controls, documentation, or accounting practices can be strengthened.
Acquisitions, Dispositions & Transactions
- Provide accounting support for property acquisitions, dispositions, refinancing activity, and other real estate transactions.
- Assist with financial due diligence and provide historical property financial information when required.
- Evaluate accounting considerations associated with transactions and communicate potential impacts to leadership.
- Coordinate accounting activities associated with adding or removing properties from the portfolio.
- Help ensure financial records and reporting requirements are appropriately transitioned during ownership changes.
Systems & Process Improvement
- Use Yardi to support accurate property accounting, financial reporting, and portfolio management.
- Identify opportunities to automate recurring accounting and reporting activities.
- Improve workflows to support efficiency, consistency, and scalability.
- Establish standardized accounting processes across properties and portfolios.
- Partner with operational and financial teams to improve the quality and accessibility of financial information.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required.
- Eight or more years of progressive real estate accounting experience.
- At least four years of experience leading or managing accounting professionals.
- Significant commercial real estate property accounting experience.
- Advanced Yardi experience is required.
- Strong working knowledge of GAAP and property-level financial reporting.
- Hands-on experience with CAM reconciliations, tenant recoveries, property accounting, and audit support.
- Demonstrated experience managing month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close processes.
- Strong understanding of internal controls and accounting procedures.
- Experience supporting acquisitions, dispositions, due diligence, or other real estate transactions is preferred.
- Ability to interpret complex financial information and communicate findings clearly to both accounting and non-accounting stakeholders.
- Proven ability to manage competing deadlines across multiple properties or entities.
- Experience developing and leading accounting teams through growth or organizational change.
- CPA designation is strongly preferred.
