Assistant Controller

Confidential Search | Charleston, SC area (Hybrid after onboarding)

Our client is a privately held real estate investment firm that acquires, develops, and manages multi-tenant retail centers and self-storage facilities across the Southeast. As the portfolio grows, the Assistant Controller will own the financial close, reporting accuracy, and control environment that help owners and operators make faster, better decisions. The role connects operations and capital, and your work will protect asset value and support new acquisitions.

• Deliver a complete, audit-ready monthly close within 8 business days with zero material restatements.
• Produce property-level P&Ls, cash-flow forecasts, and covenant packages that operators and lenders use to run the business.
• Identify and close at least three material control gaps per year to reduce financial risk or processing time.
• Support due diligence and integration of new acquisitions so their books are live and accurate within 30 days of closing.
• Coach accounting staff to handle 20% more volume without adding headcount or sacrificing quality.
• Own the annual audit relationship so fieldwork finishes on schedule with no surprises.

You’ll report to the Controller and work closely with asset managers, property managers, and the acquisitions team. Tools include Yardi, Excel, and an existing ERP. There is budget for process automation and for more staff as the portfolio grows.

• A proven track record of closing multi-entity real estate or property management books on time and clean.
• Hands-on experience with Yardi or a comparable CRE accounting system, plus strong Excel modeling.
• Ability to turn GAAP results into operational insights that non-accountants can act on.
• Demonstrated success implementing or tightening internal controls at a growing private company.
• A CPA or equivalent technical depth, plus the communication skills to partner with operators and owners.

• Direct visibility into every acquisition and development decision, so your numbers shape the next deal.
• A small finance team with high ownership, where you can build processes instead of inheriting bureaucracy.
• Exposure to both retail and self-storage asset classes at an entrepreneurial, privately held firm.
• A clear path to Controller as the company expands.