Controller

Recruiting assistance is being provided by Dennis, Gartland & Niergarth on behalf of a client, Schmidt Real Estate.

About Us

The Schmidt Family of Companies is one of the top 25 real estate brokerages in the United States and a fifth-generation family company with a long-standing reputation in the real estate industry. The company operates more than 75 sales offices across Michigan, Ohio, and Florida, supporting more than 1,400 real estate agents and generating more than $120 million in annual revenue. The organization is guided by strong family-business values and a commitment to service, collaboration, and long-term success. www.schmidtfamilyofcompanies.com

Position Summary

The Schmidt Family of Companies is seeking an experienced and detail-oriented Controller to lead day-to-day accounting operations, strengthen financial reporting, and support strategic decision-making across the organization. Based in our corporate office in Traverse City, or in our Grand Rapids, Michigan office, this hybrid role is ideal for a finance professional who brings strong technical accounting skills, sound judgment, and a collaborative leadership style to a respected, family-owned real estate organization. The Controller will model the company’s values of Initiative, Positive Outlook, Servant Leadership, Collaboration, and Loyalty while supporting accurate reporting, operational excellence, and sound financial stewardship.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead accounting operations, including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash management, reconciliations, and month-end and year-end close processes.
• Manage and provide oversight for a small team of full-time accounting staff, including training, coaching, managing performance, prioritization of work, accountability for deadlines, and support for professional growth.
• Prepare, review, and analyze accurate and timely monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements, including general ledger activity, profit and loss statements, cash flow statements, balance sheet reporting, and management reports.
• Oversee cash and balance sheet reconciliations to ensure accuracy, completeness, and timely resolution of reconciling items.
• Provide oversight of all operational expenses and payments, including review of vendor payments, expense coding, approval workflows, and appropriate supporting documentation.
• Oversee payroll expenses, payroll-related accounting, benefits-related financial reporting, and payroll general ledger entries, including coordination with internal or external payroll resources.
• Develop, monitor, and report on budgets, forecasts, cash flow projections, and key financial performance metrics.
• Maintain and strengthen internal controls, accounting policies, procedures, and documentation to support accuracy, consistency, and compliance.
• Coordinate with external accountants, auditors, tax advisors, banking partners, insurance providers, and other professional service partners.
• Oversee all banking administration and correspondence, manage banking relationships, and ensure timely coordination of banking needs, documentation, approvals, and account-related matters.
• Support real estate brokerage, property, affiliate, and operational reporting needs, including analysis of revenue, expenses, commissions, and entity-level performance.
• Partner with leadership to evaluate financial trends, identify opportunities for operational improvement, and provide insights that support informed business decisions.
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local reporting requirements, tax filings, and regulatory obligations.
• Promote accuracy, accountability, professionalism, collaboration, and service-minded leadership within the accounting function.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field required; CPA, CMA, or advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive accounting or finance experience, including experience managing general ledger activity, preparing financial statements, leading close processes, and supervising or coordinating the work of accounting staff.
• Prior experience in real estate, brokerage, property management, construction, multi-entity accounting, or a related industry strongly preferred.
• Strong working knowledge of GAAP, financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, internal controls, and tax compliance coordination.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze financial data, explain results clearly, and provide practical business recommendations.
• Proficiency with accounting systems such as Sage Intacct, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office, and financial reporting tools; experience improving accounting processes or systems is a plus.
• High level of integrity, discretion, accuracy, organization, and follow-through.
• Collaborative communication style with the ability to work effectively with executives, managers, agents, staff, vendors, and external advisors.

Pay and Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Paid time off, paid holidays, and opportunities for work-life balance
• Competitive pay with annual performance bonus potential
• Professional development and continuing education support
• Collaborative, family-owned company culture with long-standing roots in the real estate industry
• Opportunity to contribute to financial strategy, process improvement, and organizational growth

Work Environment and Schedule

This is a full-time, hybrid role based in Traverse City, Michigan. The Controller will work closely with leadership, internal teams, external advisors, and a small team of full-time accounting staff in a professional office environment. Occasional additional hours may be required during close periods, budget cycles, audits, tax deadlines, payroll cycles, or special projects.

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Vision insurance

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

• progressive accounting: 10 years (Required)
• real estate, prop mgt, multi-entity accounting: 1 year (Required)

License/Certification:

• CPA or CMA (Preferred)

Work Location: In person