Controller

The Controller is responsible for managing day-to-day accounting operations across the property portfolio, ensuring compliance with GAAP, internal controls, and company policies. Reporting to the Director of Accounting, the Controller oversees the Property Accountants, reviews work papers and reconciliations, and ensures timely, accurate financial reporting for properties under management. This role plays a critical part in supporting acquisitions, budgeting, audits, and property-level compliance with lender and investor requirements.

Essential Job Functions

• Supervises and provides leadership, development, and performance feedback to the Property Accountants.
• Reviews monthly and quarterly work papers, reconciliations, journal entries, and financial packages prepared by Property Accountants.
• Prepares the corporate accounting financial package including but not limited to monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports, ad hoc reports as needed, bank reconciliations, and workpapers.
• Oversees the preparation of property monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements in compliance with GAAP.
• Ensures timely reporting of property-level financials to the Director of Accounting, investors, and lenders.
• Reviews and analyzes property operating results, identifying trends, variances, and opportunities for improvement.
• Oversees the completion of replacement reserves, ensuring all applicable items are reimbursed by lenders timely.
• Coordinates with asset management team to ensure proper recording of income, expenses, and accruals, and proactively find ideas to add value to the portfolio. 
• Reviews annual operating budgets and forecasts for assigned properties.
• Prepares the corporate budget.
• Assists in workers' compensation and insurance renewals
• Monitors compliance with loan agreements, escrow requirements, and lender reporting obligations.
• Prepares and/or reviews supporting documentation for lender reserve requests and capital expenditure tracking.
• Assists with due diligence for acquisitions and dispositions, including property-level financial review and system integration.
• Coordinates with external auditors during annual property audits and reviews.
• Assists in tax preparation and compliance by providing property-level schedules and reviewing supporting documents for tax filings.
• Implements and maintains internal controls, policies, and procedures to ensure accuracy and compliance across property accounting.
• Identifies opportunities for process improvement and recommends enhancements to property-level accounting practices.
• Supports the Director of Accounting and CAO with special projects and analyses as needed.
• Conducts all business in accordance with company policies/procedures, Fair Housing, ADA, FCRA, and all applicable laws.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• CPA or Master's Degree designation required.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive accounting experience, with at least 3 years in a supervisory role.
• Real estate or property management industry experience strongly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP and property management accounting practices.
• Ability to lead, coach, and develop a team of Property Accountants.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; advanced Excel skills required.
• Experience with property management/accounting software (Yardi strongly preferred).
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to work across departments and present findings clearly.

Physical and Other Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear.
• Frequently is required to stand; walk; and use hands to maneuver, handle, or feel objects, or tools.
• Occasionally required to reach with hands and arms.
• Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job involve normal vision.
• Ability to maintain high ethical standards.
• Ability to work overtime, evenings, weekends, or holidays as necessary.
• Ability to travel within the region and to the Philadelphia Home Office up to 60%