Commercial Real Estate Controller
Accounting & Finance
Lawrence, MA, USA
USD 130k-150k / year
Real Estate Controller
Build the Function. Own the Real Estate Portfolio. Make an Impact.
We are seeking a polished, hands-on Real Estate Controller to take ownership of the accounting and financial operations for a growing commercial real estate portfolio.
This is not a role where you will simply inherit an established department and maintain existing processes. This is a newly created leadership position with the opportunity to build out the commercial real estate accounting function, establish processes and best practices, develop a team, and work side-by-side with executive leadership.
The ideal candidate brings a strong commercial real estate accounting background, understands the complexities of property and development accounting, and is comfortable taking full ownership of CAM reconciliations. We are looking for someone who can operate strategically while remaining close enough to the details to build the function the right way.
What You’ll Do
- Take ownership of accounting and financial operations across the commercial real estate portfolio
- Lead the buildout and continued development of the real estate accounting function, including processes, SOPs, controls, and reporting
- Own and oversee CAM reconciliations across the portfolio
- Lead month-end close and ensure timely, accurate property-level and consolidated financial reporting
- Oversee property accounting, tenant billing, AP, AR, general ledger, bank reconciliations, and intercompany activity
- Manage lease accounting, revenue recognition, escalations, and percentage rent
- Prepare and oversee property-level income statements, balance sheets, cash flow statements, NOI reporting, occupancy reporting, and rent rolls
- Lead annual budgeting, forecasting, and detailed variance analysis
- Oversee construction and development accounting, including job costing, WIP reporting, CAPEX tracking, lien releases, and asset component tracking
- Manage property tax, insurance, fixed assets, depreciation schedules, and accrual accounting
- Oversee debt schedules, lender reporting, and covenant compliance
- Manage accounting across multiple entities and ownership structures
- Evaluate existing processes, identify gaps, and introduce scalable accounting best practices
- Build, develop, and lead a small real estate accounting team
- Serve as a trusted financial partner to the executive leadership team and provide insight into portfolio performance, liquidity, cash flow, and financial strategy
What We’re Looking For
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required
- Commercial real estate accounting experience required
- Strong hands-on experience with Yardi required
- Demonstrated experience independently owning and completing CAM reconciliations
- Strong understanding of property accounting, lease structures, and commercial real estate operations
- Experience with construction/development accounting and job costing
- Previous experience within a multi-entity environment strongly preferred
- Controller-level experience or a strong Accounting Manager/Assistant Controller ready to step into broader ownership
- Experience building, improving, or scaling an accounting function
- Proven ability to lead and develop a small team
- Strong financial reporting, month-end close, budgeting, forecasting, and internal controls experience
- Polished and professional communication style with the ability to work effectively with executives, operational leaders, and cross-functional teams
Who Will Thrive Here
You are a builder, not just a maintainer. You enjoy walking into an environment where there is an opportunity to create structure, improve processes, and leave your fingerprints on how a department operates.
You are equally comfortable diving into a CAM reconciliation, reviewing property-level financials, developing a new SOP, and sitting down with executive leadership to discuss the financial performance of the portfolio.
Most importantly, you are a team player. You are polished, collaborative, approachable, and willing to roll up your sleeves. You bring ideas to the table without ego and understand how to build relationships across an entrepreneurial, fast-moving organization.
Why This Opportunity?
- Newly created leadership role with the ability to build the real estate accounting function
- Direct partnership with senior and executive leadership
- Opportunity to become the dedicated accounting leader for a significant and growing commercial real estate portfolio
- Ability to build and develop your own team
- High visibility and meaningful influence over processes, reporting, controls, and future growth
- Entrepreneurial environment where new ideas and best practices are encouraged
- Long-term opportunity to grow alongside an expanding real estate division
Compensation & Benefits
- $130,000–$150,000 base salary
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage
- Life insurance
- 401(k) with 3% company match
- Paid time off
- 10 paid holidays
- Full-time, direct-hire opportunity
Work Environment
This is an onsite leadership position for someone who wants to be embedded in the business, build relationships with leadership and their team, and play an active role in developing the commercial real estate finance function.
If you are a commercial real estate accounting professional who wants more than maintaining someone else’s playbook — and you are excited by the opportunity to build the department, own the function, and have a seat at the table — we’d love to connect!