Controller

Portfolio Controller

Greater Washington, D.C. Metro Area (McLean, VA area)

Company Overview

Our client is a US-based institutional real estate investment and fund management firm headquartered in the Greater Washington, D.C. area, with more than $13 billion deployed across key U.S. markets. The firm specializes in data center, residential, industrial, and office assets, and has acquired more than 34 million square feet of Class A real estate, currently managing over 25 million square feet.

A wholly owned division of the firm develops and owns next-generation data centers, providing technical real estate solutions for hyperscale clients nationwide, supported by strategic joint venture partnerships.

Position Summary

The Portfolio Controller leads all aspects of accounting and financial reporting for a portfolio of real estate investment joint ventures, including operating assets and development projects. This role is responsible for development/operational accounting, financial reporting, audit, tax compliance, and related duties across the assigned portfolio.

The Portfolio Controller will oversee a team of 2–3 property accountants and 2–3 development accountants, providing leadership over complex transactions, establishing accounting practices, and ensuring financial data is consistent, accurate, and timely. This role partners closely with acquisitions, asset management, construction, and operations teams.

This role reports to headquarters in the McLean, VA area, with a hybrid schedule of 4 days in-office and 1 day remote per week.

Primary Responsibilities

• Provide technical guidance on complex real estate transactions, joint ventures, and investment structures (upper-tier joint ventures, holding companies, etc.).
• Review and interpret legal agreements — joint venture agreements, purchase and sale agreements, loan agreements, construction contracts — to determine appropriate accounting treatment.
• Ensure all monthly/quarterly/annual financial reporting, development reporting, audit, and tax compliance is completed accurately and on time.
• Ensure monthly development funding requests are created and provided to lenders and JV partners timely, accurately, and in accordance with governing documents.
• Establish and enforce internal controls over accounting processes, including cost capitalization, approvals, and financial close procedures.
• Partner with acquisitions, asset management, and construction/development teams to ensure accurate financial data throughout the investment lifecycle.
• Oversee accounting integration for newly acquired assets and disposition processes for sold assets.
• Ensure compliance with applicable accounting standards (Fair Value, GAAP, income tax basis) related to real estate and investment companies.
• Drive process improvements and standardization across development accounting workflows, systems, and controls.
• Lead, manage, and develop a team of accounting professionals, including performance management, coaching, and succession planning.
• Serve as a key point of contact for auditors, investors, and external partners on accounting matters related to the assigned portfolio.

Skills and Abilities

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to influence and build relationships across functions.
• Strategic thinking and strong technical accounting acumen.
• High attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Leadership, team development, and organizational influence.
• Strong judgment in complex and ambiguous situations.
• Effective communication and stakeholder management.
• Ability to operate in a fast-paced, transaction-driven environment.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience in lieu of a degree.
• 10 years of progressive accounting experience with significant exposure to real estate development and investment accounting.
• Demonstrated experience in development accounting across the full lifecycle of projects.
• Strong expertise in joint venture accounting, including complex partnership structures and waterfall calculations.
• Experience working on complex real estate development transactions with multiple stakeholders and capital sources.
• Strong understanding of internal controls and accounting process design.
• Proven experience in a leadership role with responsibility for managing and developing accounting teams.
• Proficiency in real estate accounting systems (e.g., Yardi) and advanced Excel skills.
• Candidates with experience in the data center or digital infrastructure sector are strongly encouraged to apply.