A private family office based in New York is seeking an experienced Controller to oversee the accounting and financial operations of the office and its related entities. The Controller will be responsible for managing the day-to-day accounting operations while also providing financial oversight across a portfolio that includes real estate investments, construction projects, operating entities, and personal and trust entities. The role will also oversee project-level financial tracking, vendor payment processes, and employee expense management, ensuring disciplined controls and financial transparency across all entities.
This position is suited for a hands-on accounting leader who can both manage the operational details of accounting and bill pay while also providing strategic oversight of financial systems, reporting, and treasury management. The family office represents a Principal who is actively involved in real estate construction and operations, and who splits time between New York City and the Hamptons. The role will be remote, with the expectation that the Controller will be available to come onsite to the Principal’s New York City and Hamptons properties from time to time, as needed.
Responsibilities:
Financial Leadership & Oversight
- Oversee all financial, accounting, and internal control activities across the family office and related entities
- Maintain accurate financial records and reporting across multiple legal entities, including real estate holdings, operating entities, and personal family structures
- Develop and maintain financial reporting frameworks to support decision-making by principals and leadership
- Assist in preparing financial summaries and reporting packages for family meetings, governance discussions, and strategic planning
Accounting Operations
- Oversee the full general ledger and accounting cycle across all entities, maintained within Intuit Enterprise Suite
- Maintain and manage the chart of accounts and entity structures within the accounting system
- Ensure timely completion of month-end and year-end closing process
- Oversee expense categorization and class/department coding to support accurate financial reporting
- Prepare month-end journal entries, including accruals, prepaid amortization, depreciation, and other adjustments
- Maintain financial documentation in an organized manner
Budgeting & Financial Oversight
- Assist with annual budgeting processes, including gathering inputs and maintaining budget models
- Monitor actual expenses versus budget and provide variance analysis
- Support cash flow planning and anticipated expenditures, particularly for construction projects and large vendor payments
Accounts Payable & Bill Pay
- Manage the full accounts payable cycle, including invoice receipt, coding, approval routing, and payment execution
- Execute bill payments through Ramp, including vendor setup, payment scheduling, and reconciliation of transactions
- Maintain vendor records, including W-9 documentation and compliance tracking
- Prepare and coordinate 1099 reporting and filings in partnership with external tax advisors
- Monitor and review accounts payable aging and provide reporting to leadership as needed
- Maintain strong vendor relationships and ensure timely payment of invoices
- Prepare monthly and quarterly financial reporting packages
Real Estate & Construction Accounting
- Maintain accounting records for multiple real estate entities, including tracking operating expenses, capital expenditures, and project costs
- Support construction project accounting, including vendor payments, draw tracking, and budget monitoring
- Work with project managers, contractors, and vendors to ensure accurate tracking of construction costs and capital improvements
- Assist in maintaining entity-level financials for real estate holding companies and related investments
Expense Management & Corporate Card Oversight
- Administer and monitor employee corporate cards and expense management through Ramp
- Review employee transactions and ensure proper documentation and coding of expenses
- Establish and maintain expense management policies and internal controls
- Track recurring expenses, subscriptions, and service contracts across entities
Tax Coordination and Compliance
- Coordinate with external tax advisors on annual tax filings across individuals, trusts, and entities
- Maintain schedules supporting tax payments and estimated taxes
- Track and ensure timely payment of property taxes, estimated taxes, and other required filings
- Maintain organized documentation for tax compliance and reporting
Systems & Process Management
- Maintain and optimize accounting systems, including Intuit Enterprise Suite and Ram
- Identify opportunities to improve financial processes, reporting, and internal control
- Evaluate and implement financial tools or systems that enhance efficiency, transparency, and scalability
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field (CPA preferred)
- 10+ years of accounting or finance experience, ideally within a family office, real estate investment firm, private investment office, or closely held businesses
- Strong understanding of accounting principles, tax regulations, and financial reporting standards
- Familiarity with real estate accounting and construction project accounting strongly preferred
- Experience overseeing accounts payable, general ledger, financial reporting, and treasury operations
- Experience working with external tax advisors and financial institutions
- Familiarity with Ramp, QuickBooks, or Intuit Enterprise Suite preferred
- Strong organizational and analytical skills with the ability to manage multiple entities and priorities simultaneously
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills with the ability to collaborate effectively with family members and external advisors
- Analytical mindset with the ability to synthesize complex financial data into actionable insights
- Strategic mindset with a proactive approach to identifying opportunities and mitigating risks
- Exceptional integrity, discretion, and judgment
- High emotional intelligence and a strong sense of teamwork
- Comfortable navigating ambiguity and operating as a self-starter
- Proactive, polished, and professional demeanor
Job Type: Full-Time, Hybrid; physical offices located in New York City and the Hamptons
Compensation: Annual salary range of $175,000–$225,000, based on experience and qualifications, with comprehensive benefits
