Real Estate Controller, Vice President of Finance

REPORTS TO: CEO/COO

COMPANY OVERVIEW:

Our client is a leading, privately held commercial real estate company that specializes in the development of multifamily, student housing and other infrastructure projects across the United States. Founded in 1999, the firm has developed over 8 million square feet of improvements representing over $3 billion in asset value. The company manages its own equity fund that invests in projects alongside its institutional capital partners, including some of the nation’s largest private equity groups and insurance companies. Our client is headquartered in suburban Philadelphia, PA with a regional office in Charlotte, NC.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Controller will lead the company’s accounting, reporting and cashflow management functions. This is a dynamic position that touches all aspects of the firm’s financial health. The individual will ensure that accounting across the company’s development operations, equity fund, and growing portfolio of properties under management is accurately captured and classified in financial statements and tax documents. The successful candidate will work directly with company leadership and various third-party vendors, including property-level accountants and tax counsel. This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated, hands-on individual to join a small team and contribute to the rapid growth of an entrepreneurial, privately owned real estate company.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Development Company Level:

• Collaborate with leadership to forecast/maintain development company cashflow projections
• Maintain capital accounts for all projects throughout the pre-development and development phases
• Assist with preparation of checks for payment and QuickBooks entries alongside bookkeeper
• Manage banking relationships as the central point of contact; reconcile checking/savings accounts
• Participate in special projects as required by the client’s managing partners

Real Estate Project Level:

• Review monthly third-party property accountant ledgers/reconciliations to ensure accuracy of operating entries; consolidate property-level ledgers into parent company financials via QuickBooks
• Work with company’s internal investment team and third-party professionals to accurately record all transaction activity related to acquisitions, financings/refinancings, distributions and divestitures
• Manage debt lender and institutional equity partner compliance obligations, including submission of quarterly and annual financial statements, covenant compliance checks and other ad hoc requests
• File/update annual reports for all entities formed in the U.S. to maintain good standing; dissolve entities upon successful project divestitures

GP Equity Fund Level:

• Conduct fund-level cashflow projections and manage schedule of future capital calls/distributions
• Draft capital call packages in coordination with company’s internal development team
• Act as primary liaison to the firm’s outside tax professionals; review tax returns for consistency with internal financial reports; coordinate with fund investors on status of returns
• Manage and facilitate schedule of fund-level and JV asset management fees owed to company

QUALIFICATIONS / SKILLS:

• 7-10 years private/public accounting experience (preferably some experience in commercial real estate or infrastructure assets with a development company or private equity investment firm)
• BA/BS degree in accounting, business, finance or related field
• CPA strongly preferred (active status not required)
• Strong PC skills and excellent knowledge of QuickBooks, Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Ability to work in an entrepreneurial environment, prioritize work, multi-task, meet deadlines and collaborate effectively with internal and outside consultants, vendors and investors
• Experience implementing and maintaining policies and procedure
• Strong quantitative & analytical skills, attention to detail and an understanding of how to interpret detailed financial statements and analyses
• Excellent interpersonal skills, oral and written communication skills