Controller
Cherry Bekaert • Washington, DC • Full Time
Posted on Wed, Jul 1, 2026
Controller
This is a hybrid role (3 days in-office).
Compensation: $150-170k + 10-15% bonus, depending on related expertise.
The Controller will lead day-to-day accounting operations for our commercial/retail real estate portfolio, ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting, strong internal controls, and compliance with income tax-basis accounting standards and lender/investor requirements.
This role partners closely with the CFO on financial strategy while managing a team of two Senior Accountants and owning the monthly close, property-level reporting, and compliance processes.
Key Responsibilities
Financial Reporting & Close
- Own the monthly, quarterly, and annual close process across the property portfolio and corporate entities
- Prepare consolidated financial statements, property-level P&Ls, and variance analyses for the CFO and ownership/investors
- Ensure accurate accounting for CAM reconciliations, tenant billings, depreciation, and capital expenditures on an income tax basis
- Review and approve journal entries, account reconciliations, and balance sheet schedules prepared by the team
- Manage, mentor, and develop two Senior Accountants, including workload allocation, performance reviews, and professional growth
- Establish and document accounting procedures and review checklists to ensure consistency across properties
- Serve as the escalation point for complex accounting issues raised by the team
- Maintain and strengthen internal controls over financial reporting across the portfolio
- Serve as primary liaison for tax preparers and lender reporting requirements
- Ensure compliance with loan covenants, partnership agreements, and investor reporting obligations
- Oversee property tax, insurance, and 1099 reporting processes
- Identify and implement process improvements and automation opportunities within the accounting function
- Own the chart of accounts and property accounting system administration (e.g., Yardi, MRI, or similar)
- Support budgeting, forecasting, and cash management in partnership with the CFO
- Provide the CFO with financial analysis and ad hoc reporting to support acquisition due diligence, refinancing, and dispositions
- Collaborate with property management and asset management teams on operational and financial questions
Qualifications
- BS/BS in Accounting or Finance
- CPA preferred
- 7+ years of progressive accounting experience required
- 2+ years in a supervisory/management role required
- Commercial real estate accounting experience required (CAM reconciliations, multi-entity/property consolidations, income tax-basis reporting) required
- Knowledge of income tax-basis accounting principles as applied to real estate is preferred
- Proficiency with property accounting software (Yardi, MRI, AppFolio, or similar) and advanced Excel skills are preferred
- Experience managing lender and investor reporting cycles preferred
- Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple deadlines across a portfolio of properties are required
- Excellent communication skills and demonstrated ability to lead and develop a team are required