The Accounting Director will lead the accounting function for a diversified real estate portfolio, providing strategic oversight, leadership, and client-facing expertise. This role is responsible for managing Senior Controllers and their teams, ensuring accurate financial reporting, strong internal controls, and exceptional client service. The Accounting Director serves as a trusted advisor to clients and internal stakeholders, aligning accounting operations with broader business objectives.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Oversight
- Provide strategic direction for the accounting operations of the real estate portfolio, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and client expectations.
- Oversee and guide Senior Controllers and their teams, ensuring consistent accounting practices across the portfolio.
- Drive continuous improvement in accounting processes, systems, and controls to enhance efficiency, scalability, and accuracy.
- Partner with executive leadership to support portfolio strategy, acquisitions, dispositions, and other major transactions.
Financial Reporting & Compliance
- Ensure timely and accurate preparation and review of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements in accordance with GAAP and industry best practices.
- Oversee complex accounting matters including consolidations, intercompany transactions, lease accounting, and property-level reporting.
- Ensure compliance with internal controls, regulatory requirements, lender covenants, and audit standards.
- Act as the primary liaison for external auditors, tax advisors, and other financial consultants.
Client Relationship Management
- Serve as the primary accounting point of contact for key clients, fostering strong, trusted relationships.
- Proactively communicate financial results, trends, and insights to clients, translating complex accounting data into clear business insights.
- Address and resolve client inquiries with a high level of professionalism, responsiveness, and strategic perspective.
- Support client onboarding, transitions, and portfolio growth initiatives.
Team Leadership & Development
- Lead, mentor, and develop Senior Controllers and their teams, promoting a culture of accountability, collaboration, and excellence.
- Ensure appropriate staffing, training, and resource allocation across the portfolio.
Process Improvement & Systems
- Lead or support accounting system implementations, upgrades, and integrations.
- Leverage technology and data analytics to improve reporting quality and decision-making.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field (CPA preferred).
- 10+ years of progressive accounting experience, with significant experience in real estate accounting.
- Experience with QBO required, Sage Intacct and Yardi highly preferred
- Experience or knowledge with self storage, multifamily, and construction / development highly preferred
- Proven experience leading senior-level accounting professionals and managing multi-layered teams.
- Strong knowledge of GAAP, real estate accounting, and financial reporting for complex portfolios.
- Demonstrated ability to operate at a strategic level while maintaining attention to detail.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a strong client-service mindset.
- Experience serving as a primary point of contact for clients and executive stakeholders.
Key Competencies
- Strategic thinking and business acumen
- Executive-level communication and client presence
- Leadership, mentoring, and team development
- Process improvement and change leadership
- Strong judgment and problem-solving skills