Controller - Real Estate

Controller - Real Estate Job Overview

The Real Estate Controller will be responsible for managing the accounting department, overseeing daily accounting operations, directing financial planning, and accounting practices for residential lots and commercial property in multiple projects located in California and Hawaii. This position has three direct reports including a Senior Accountant, Senior Staff Accountant, and a Project Accountant/Contract Administrator and reports to the Vice President of Finance and Accounting.

• Oversee full cycle of accounting operations, including month-end close, preparation of financial statements, accounts payable/receivable, job costing, cash management, and internal control processes for over twenty legal entities.
• Lead and manage the annual year end close process ensuring timely and accurate filing of tax returns.
• Build and mentor a high-performing accounting team, providing leadership to both direct and indirect reports across all core accounting functions.
• Develop, implement, and continuously improve accounting policies, procedures, internal controls, and financial reporting.
• Support implementation, development, and maintenance of a comprehensive job cost system.
• Manage processes for financial forecasting, budgets, consolidation, and reporting to the company. Provide leadership in evaluating short- and long-term strategic financial objectives.
• Establish and maintain lines of communication with the investor community; serve as finance leader demonstrating focus on driving enhanced business results.
• Ensure monthly analysis of Pro Forma results to track project results and make recommendations as needed.
• Develop the long-range plan in partnership with senior leadership to establish long-term goals for the business and to identify and quantify initiatives to achieve them.
• Package applications to appropriate stakeholders for all equity and debt project transactions.
• Support facilitation of all insurance and bonding needs.
• Coordinate monthly financial review per project with development team.

Education and Experience:

• Undergraduate degree in finance, economics, or real estate. Master’s Degree, CPA or CFA preferred.
• Five to ten years of experience in analysis of residential/commercial real estate markets.
• Prior experience in a multi‑entity environment, accounting for equity investments and intercompany accounting preferred.
• Five to ten years of industry experience in residential and commercial development from acquisition to entitlements to build‑out.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

• May be required to have a valid driver’s license.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong understanding of project‑based accounting for real estate land development and vertical development projects. Prior homebuilding experience preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to identify key real estate market drivers, assess their impact, and communicate analysis and conclusions.
• Demonstrated strong analytical and decision‑making skills.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.

Carries out management responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, planning, assigning, and directing work; performance evaluations; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems. Ensure employees are properly trained on tasks and safety requirements.

• Physical demands representative of those that must be met: employee is regularly required to sit, frequently required to walk, use hands, occasionally stand.
• Work environment characteristics: noise level usually quiet.

Compensation: $140,000 - $175,000

SBM offers comprehensive benefit packages.

SBM Management Services, LP and its affiliates are proud to be equal opportunity workplaces. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, sex, color, ancestry, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, citizenship, age, marital status, disability, gender identity, Veteran status, or other legally protected status.