Company
A well-established, Boston suburb-based private equity real estate investment firm is seeking a Controller with asset/property-level and fund-level accounting experience. The company specializes in acquiring and managing value-add commercial real estate and related operating businesses on behalf of institutional investors. The firm’s $5B portfolio includes commercial real estate properties, several operating companies and convenience stores. The company also emphasizes and promotes social responsibility and corporate citizenship.
The Controller will be responsible for all aspects of the financial reporting process and tax compliance for a portfolio of real estate investments and investor funds spanning commercial real estate and corporate investments. On a day-to-day basis the Controller is accountable for the efficient operations of the accounting function including collaborating internally to gather and disseminate critical financial data to support informed decision making. Reporting to the CFO and with 5+ direct reports, the Controller is a senior leader in the organization. The role requires analytical and technical proficiency as well as being a confident, strategic, and independent thinker.
Responsibilities
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Manage and improve monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes to ensure accurate and timely delivery of lender and investor reporting.
- Maintain strong, communicative, and collaborative cross functional working relationships to prepare quarterly investor NAV statements and investor distribution recommendations.
- Manage the annual real estate and investment fund audit process, including the preparation of financial statements and footnote disclosures.
- Liaise with external tax preparers to manage the tax reporting process, including the timely delivery of investors K-1s, meeting all compliance and regulatory best practices.
- Research and respond to tax notices and investor inquiries.
- Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure effective capital planning for real estate investments and funds.
- Inform the forecasting process by working together with the deal teams including analyst and asset managers.
- Assist with structuring acquisitions, dispositions and joint venture agreements.
- Support borrowing relationships with third parties including reviewing loan agreements and monitoring debt covenant compliance.
- Identify, recommend, and implement process improvements and technology to enhance internal controls and efficiencies in financial reporting.
- Actively ensure a best-in-class control environment exists internally; Research industry and accounting best practices and its applicability to real estate funds and the accounting and reporting process.
- Mentor staff and assist with their development.
- Prepare special reports and projects, collect, analyze and summarize information and trends.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in business, accounting, finance, or related field.
- CPA strongly preferred; MBA a plus.
- 10 + years of accounting experience within the commercial real estate industry and/or public accounting; 3+ years of supervisory experience.
- Strong understanding of Fund accounting and reporting.
- General understanding of tax reporting and compliance, real estate partnerships and S corps.
- Outstanding interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.
- Strong team leader and agile, committed self-starter who drives individual and team projects and takes ownership of outcomes.
