Controller

Controller | Commercial Real Estate | Western Long IslandOur client, a well-established, privately held real estate company based on Long Island is hiring a Controller to help lead its accounting function through an exciting period of growth and transition. The company has a long track record across commercial property management, mixed-use development, and retail, and is investing seriously in its finance function right now, anchored by a CFO who is building the internal team from the ground up.This is a newly created position, not a backfill, so you'd be the first person in the seat, with real room to shape how it's run.If you want a role where your work is genuinely visible, where you're not one voice among twenty in a corporate accounting department, and where you can help build a finance function rather than inherit one, this is worth a look.The roleReporting directly to the CFO, the Controller will take ownership of day-to-day accounting across the company's full portfolio of entities and manage a small team. You'll also lead a key initiative converting the organization from cash-basis to accrual-basis accounting. This isn't a maintenance role. You'll be building the monthly close process, designing the reporting package, and reducing the company's reliance on outside accounting support, essentially standing up a more sophisticated internal finance operation from scratch.What you'll ownFull accounting operations: general ledger, AP, AR, cash management, payroll oversight, fixed assets, and financial reportingThe transition from cash-basis to accrual-basis accounting, including the monthly close calendar and reporting templatesMonthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements across multiple entities and partnershipsCommercial real estate accounting: lease accounting, CAM, tax and insurance recoveries, tenant reconciliations, and tenant improvement allowancesThe annual budget process, rolling forecasts, and cash flow projectionsBanking relationships, debt compliance, and lender reportingAudit coordination, tax schedule preparation, and internal controlsA small accounting team, including day-to-day management and professional developmentWhy this one's worth your attentionA newly created role: you'd be the first Controller in this seat, with real influence over how it's builtDirect, regular access to the CFO and ownership. Your work gets seen and used, not filed awayA stable, family-run business with a long track record on Long Island, not a private equity flipA prominent mixed-use and commercial real estate portfolio, genuinely interesting assets to work onReal work-life balanceWhat we're looking for8 to 10+ years of progressive accounting experienceCommercial real estate accounting experience preferred.Solid grounding in accrual accounting under GAAP and partnership accountingAdvanced Excel skills and strong financial modeling abilityExperience with property management accounting software (MRI experience a plus)A track record of managing and developing accounting staffBachelor's degree in Accounting or a related field; CPA a plus but not requiredCompetitive base salary of $160,000 to $170,000