Controller

Company:

Established private developer

Role:

Controller

Location:

Dallas, TX

Reports to:

Senior Vice President, FinanceAdministration

Company

The Company is a private real estate development company with 20+ years of success in developing customized build-to-suit retail sites for top-tier brands across the United States. The Company operates in 25+ states that includes a variety of markets in Texas and other markets throughout the Southwest and Southeast. The Company maintains an active development pipeline as it continues to grow its real estate platform.

Position

The Company is seeking an experienced Controller with a strong construction accounting background to serve as a key member of the team. Reporting to the SVP of FinanceAdministration, the Controller is responsible for overseeing all project-level accounting functions - from construction draw management and job cost tracking to financial reporting, audit readiness, and process improvement. The ideal candidate brings familiarity with the financial mechanics of tracking development and construction projects, excellent analytical abilities, and can operate independently while supporting leadership with timely, accurate financial intelligence.

Responsibilities

Daily responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

ConstructionProject Accounting

• Review, analyze, and process construction draws in accordance with AIA contract terms and project funding schedules.
• Examine AIA contracts, owner-contractor agreements, and change orders to ensure accurate cost coding and financial alignment.
• Maintain detailed job cost records across a portfolio of simultaneous multi-state development projects.
• Track and reconcile hard costs, soft costs, land, and carry costs by project and entity.
• Monitor retainage, lien waivers, and contractor billing compliance throughout the construction cycle.

Financial ManagementReporting

• Prepare and deliver timely monthly financial packages including balance sheets, income statements, trial balances, and cash flow statements for all active projects and entities.
• Perform intercompany reconciliations and journal entries across project-level entities.
• Monitor and analyze project costs, budget variances, and spend trends; escalate material deviations to leadership.
• Interpret financial data, identify trends, and draw meaningful insights for decision-making.
• Maintain accurate and complete project accounting records including general ledger entries, accruals, and expense allocations.
• Oversee accounts payable and accounts receivable functions as they relate to project and corporate operations.
• Coordinate with lenders, equity partners, and title companies on construction loan draws, funding confirmations, and closing statements.
• Support preparation of annual budgets and cash flow forecasts for the various projects.

Compliance, AuditControls

• Ensure all financial activity complies with GAAP, company policy, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Maintain internal controls and safeguards around project disbursements and financial reporting.
• Manage entity-level records across the company's portfolio of LLCs and project-specific entities.

Process ImprovementSystems

• Continuously evaluate and improve accounting processes, workflows, and internal systems.
• Champion adoption and optimization of accounting and project management platforms (Yardi, Northspyre, or equivalent).
• Develop and document accounting policies and procedures to ensure consistency and auditability.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate closely with the development, construction, and legal teams as needed to support deal underwriting, project funding, and closings.
• Provide financial analysis and reporting to executive leadership to support strategic decision-making.
• Uphold the highest standards of confidentiality, ethics, and integrity across all financial dealings.

Qualifications

EducationExperience

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required; CPA designation a plus.
• 5-7+ years of progressive accounting experience, with demonstrated experience in a construction, real estate development, or build-to-suit environment.
• Proven record of overseeing financial operations for construction projects of varying sizes and complexities.
• Prior Controller or Senior Accounting Manager experience strongly preferred.
• Hands-on experience with construction draw processes, AIA billing, and lender/equity reporting.

Technical Skills

• Proficiency in accounting software - experience with Yardi and/or Northspyre is a strong plus.
• Advanced Excel skills required (financial modeling, pivot tables, complex formula construction).
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office 365 suite.
• Familiarity with construction project management platforms and loan administration software a plus.

Core Competencies

• Strong command of GAAP as applied to real estate development and construction accounting.
• Excellent analytical and critical thinking skills - able to interpret financial data, identify trends, and translate findings into actionable insights
• High attention to detail balanced with the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced, project-driven environment.
• Effective communicator - able to present financial information clearly to both finance and non-finance stakeholders.
• Self-starter with strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
• Demonstrated integrity and professionalism in handling sensitive and confidential financial information.