Senior Controller

Westland Real Estate Group

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior Controller to join our dynamic finance team. The ideal candidate will have a robust background in general ledger (GL) accounting, along with significant experience working with a large accounting firm on the audit side. This role requires a proven leader with 15-20 years of experience in finance, a bachelor’s degree, and a CPA certification. The Senior Finance Manager will oversee a team of ten Accounting Professionals.

Key Responsibilities:

1. General Ledger Accounting:
• Oversee the maintenance and reconciliation of the general ledger.
• Ensure accuracy and completeness of all financial transactions.
• Implement and maintain strong internal controls and accounting policies.
2. Team Management:
• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of ten finance professionals, including a Tax Preparer, two Controllers, three Staff Accountants, and an AR Supervisor with a team of 3-4 AR staff.
• Foster a collaborative and high-performance work environment.
• Provide guidance and support to team members to ensure their professional growth and development.
3. Financial Reporting and Analysis:
• Coordinate and prepare internal and external financial statements.
• Provide management with information vital to the decision-making process by collecting, interpreting, and reporting financial data.
• Prepare special reports by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing information and trends.
4. Strategic Planning and Budget Management:
• Support the CFO in strategic planning and decision-making processes.
• Achieve budget objectives by scheduling expenditures, analyzing variances, and initiating corrective actions.
• Assess current accounting operations, offer recommendations for improvement, and implement new processes.
5. Internal Controls and Compliance:
• Protect assets by establishing, monitoring, and enforcing internal controls.
• Ensure compliance with company policies and procedures, as well as regulatory requirements.
• Evaluate accounting and internal control systems regularly.
6. Operational and Staff Management:
• Plan, direct, and coordinate all accounting operational functions.
• Manage the accumulation and consolidation of all financial data necessary for an accurate accounting of consolidated business results.
• Maintain financial staff job results by coaching, counseling, and disciplining employees; planning, monitoring, and appraising job results.
• Complete operational requirements by scheduling and assigning employees, and following up on work results.
7. Special Projects and Collaboration:
• Handle special projects as required.
• Work with the legal department on new loans and participate in due diligence of acquisitions, including review of closing statement prorations.
• Coordinate setup of RUBS billings with outside providers.
• Maintain and update GL accounts, property codes, property lists, and banking information in Entrata.
• Manage an Insurance Captive, including oversight of premiums billed and claims processed, and work with the insurance broker, management company, external auditors, and actuaries.
• Handle all lender requests for information and reporting.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, Accounting, or a related field.
• CPA certification is required.
• 15-20 years of experience in finance, with a focus on tax management and strategy.
• Minimum of 5 years of tenure in a senior accounting role.
• Positive attitude toward technological innovation and basic understanding of databases.
• Extensive experience working with Big 4 firms on the tax side.
• Strong knowledge of GL accounting and financial reporting.
• Proven leadership and team management skills.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
• Minimum of 5 years of management experience.
• Basic understanding of databases or computer programming is a plus.