Controller

The Axel Group represents a commercial real estate firm local to the Summit, NJ area that is looking for a Controller with property/lease accounting or AEC industry experience. This role involves overseeing the accounting operations for a portfolio of commercial properties, ensuring accurate financial management and compliance across all property accounting functions. Ideally, this candidate should come with commercial real estate, lease review, or property accounting experience, but we are open to adjacent industries such as architecture, engineering, construction, or real estate investment/fund accounting.

Controller Responsibilities:

• Oversee daily accounting operations, including Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, tenant billing, cash application, and collections.
• Review leases and verify rent, escalations, and tenant charges for accuracy.
• Prepare and reconcile CAM, real estate tax, and insurance accounts.
• Review property-level financial statements and investigate discrepancies or unusual activities.
• Prepare and analyze monthly budget-to-actual reports and highlighting variances.
• Assist with annual property budgets and operating expense estimates.
• Manage tenant security deposits, escrows, and related accounting functions.
• Coordinate property and liability insurance administration along with tenant insurance requirements.
• Serve as a primary accounting contact for tenants regarding billing, reconciliations, and payments.
• Collaborate closely with property management, leasing, construction, and legal teams.
• Supervise and develop accounting staff across AP, AR, Property Accounting, and General Ledger functions.
• Maintain strong internal controls, policies, and procedures.
• Identify opportunities to streamline and automate accounting processes.
• Oversee the company's real estate accounting system and support system upgrades and improvements.

Controller Requirements:

• 10+ years of commercial real estate, lease, or property accounting experience, but open to AEC industry or real estate investment/fund accounting experience
• 3–5+ years in a leadership role such as Controller, Assistant Controller, or Director of Property Accounting.
• Proven experience with AP, AR, and collections oversight, tenant billing and property accounting a plus.
• Strong knowledge of CAM, real estate tax, and insurance reconciliations preferred.
• Ability to interpret commercial leases effectively.
• Experience reviewing financial statements for multiple properties and legal entities.
• Prior experience managing and developing accounting staff.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and familiarity with real estate accounting software.

Compensation: $190k - $215,000 annually

Benefits:

• Medical insurance (Horizon Omnia Gold)
• 401K with employer match
• PTO and paid holidays
• Performance-based bonus