Highrise Assistant Controller

Job Overview

The Assistant Controller is a key GL Accounting leader who works closely with the Regional Controller to ensure the accurate, timely and efficient delivery of financial information to First Service Residential clients in assigned regions. Each First Service Residential client is a separate business with its own unique budget, vendors, investments, and priorities. The Assistant Controller partners with regional operations leadership and Community Managers to promote client retention, build solid client relationships and help drive growth in the region.

The Assistant Controller is a support leader for any client financial issues and needs to have an excellent working knowledge General Ledger Accounting (GAAP), understanding of AP and AR processes, collection activities, budgeting, and pro‑active risk management. The Assistant Controller serves as the first point on contact for the GL Accountants on questions relating to process, concept, and general assistance in managing workload.

Compensation: $80-100k

First Service Residential will compensate the successful candidate in accordance with the posted range. The salary or wage paid to the successful candidate will be commensurate with experience, education, and specific job responsibilities. For positions designated at a client's property, the salary or wage will also be premised upon the client's directive. The base pay range is subject to change and may be modified in the future.

• Coordinates with the Regional Controller to ensure monthly financial statements are prepared in a timely and accurate manner as assigned.
• Responsible for production and review of financial statements on a monthly basis. Attention to detail to identify potential errors or areas of risk including variances to budget, linkage to supporting schedules, lingering bank reconciliation items, cash shortages, investment management opportunities, etc.
• Troubleshoot any accounting or reporting issues in collaboration with the Community Manager or CM leadership as needed.
• Listen to clients, plan for their changing needs, monitor client satisfaction and follow up on client inquiries, requests or complaints as requested by the Regional Controller.
• Work closely with the Regional Controller to identify any areas of concern relating to financial production efforts and work to rectify/provide additional resources ensuring timely and accurate financial statement delivery.

• Assist the Community Manager with annual budgeting and required Civil Code disclosures. Ensure the Community Manager has the appropriate tools to bring before the board. Review/challenge reserve studies when warranted.
• Identify trends early and develop plans to mitigate risks and support our clients’ goals and objectives.

• Support an environment that provides direction and promotes continuous learning and development. Provide accurate and motivating feedback to the General Ledger staff and communicate constructive criticism of the General Ledger staff to the Regional Controllers. Promotes hard work in others by setting the example.
• Ensure the GL Accountants provide timely and accurate financial reports by defining and enforcing appropriate service level standards. Work closely with other Client Accounting departments (Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Banking, Phasing) on key deliverables and resolving issues as they arise. Client retention is a key measure of success, so performance issues need to be surfaced with functional management as soon as possible.
• Provide generalized and ad‑hoc training to Community Managers as needed. Collaborate with Community Managers to achieve desired results in product and process. Mandate standard and effectively manage performance issues by working cohesively with training team and/or obtaining accountability from Community Management leadership team.
• Attend Board/Finance Committee meetings when appropriate. Collaborate with Community Management teams and clients to be able to present important issues to the client along with appropriate recommendations.
• View matters from the clients’ perspective as…