What are the responsibilities and job description for the Controller/Vice President, Finance & Accounting position at Keller Augusta?
Company Overview:
Our client is a commercial real estate firm with headquarters in Miami, FL. The platform provides unique opportunities for investors by acquiring and managing a portfolio of multifamily assets across the U.S.
Position Overview:
As a key member of the executive leadership team, the Controller/Vice President, Finance &Accounting will report to the Managing Principal and assume a strategic role in the overall management of the finance department. This role will have primary day-to-day responsibility for planning, implementing, managing and controlling the finance, accounting, tax, internal and external reporting functions, and cash-related activities of the company. This position will work hand in hand with the business’s investment partner to deliver accurate and timely financial information to its stakeholders. It is anticipated this role will grow over time depending upon the candidate’s performance and capabilities.
The ideal candidate will possess strong technical fund, property and corporate accounting/finance background. They must be eager and confident with new and complex matters, be attentive to details and deadlines, have outstanding internal and external communication skills, and be able to juggle varied tasks within a team environment. Regular in-person attendance in Miami headquarters is expected to promote cross-functional collaboration and a heightened understanding of the firm’s strategy (placing importance on this individual’s trajectory as an executive leader).
Primary Responsibilities:
- Act as a strategic business partner to the executive leadership team
- Oversee the accounting department of the company
- Collaborate with the investment team on significant transactions to obtain knowledge related to timing and amounts of contributions, loan-funding requests, and distributions
- Collaborate with private equity finance team to coordinate communications related to capital events, financial reporting, compliance with regulatory guidelines and/or governing documents
- Make suggestions for automating processes and increasing efficiency
- Manage the internal reporting process to the company’s executives and board of directors
- Manage the external reporting to principal investors
- Oversee 3rd party service providers (Audit, Tax, IT)
- Primary contact with property accounting teams with the firm’s sponsors to ensure such financial reporting is accurate, delivered timely and comports with applicable requirements
- Coordinate and review tax returns and schedule K-1s to ensure accuracy and timely delivery to principal investors
- Assist with coordination and various due diligence activities for asset acquisitions and dispositions
- Oversee certain asset-level property management and reporting activities
- •Review/update current accounting and treasury policies and procedures
- Implement policies, procedures, and processes as deemed appropriate by the executive leadership team
- Ensure conformity with professional accounting standards and best practices in accordance with GAAP
- Manage the cash flow forecasting process to ensure availability of funds to support investment activities
- Mentor and develop the team, including work allocation management, systems training, performance evaluations, and the building of an effective and efficient team dynamic
Qualifications:
- Undergraduate accounting degree; Masters preferred (equivalent work experience accepted)
- Public accounting/audit experience; CPA
- Internal controls experience; tax experience a plus
- Commercial real estate experience; self-storage/development experience a plus
- Proven track record of effective leadership
- Skillset to work collaboratively across departmental line
- Detail-oriented
- Outstanding interpersonal and communications skills
- Experience with IT accounting systems; implementation experience a plus
- Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to communicate internally as well as externally with lenders, investors, and service providers
- Ability to communicate complex accounting concepts to non-accountants
- Ability to independently develop solutions to complex financial challenges and identify opportunities
- Ability to set clear goals, obtain executive buy-in, and independently execute action items
- Proven ability to performance manage a team, including gathering documentation and working with HR team to follow existing process
- Ability to synthesize large quantities of complex data into actionable information
- Detail-oriented, organized, and comfortable with meeting deadlines in a fast-paced environment