Controller — Greater Los Angeles, California | Pacific Executive Search

Controller

(Job ID: 1929)

Greater Los Angeles, California

Hybrid

Direct Hire

Real Estate

$150,000 – $200,000 base

Apply Now

Overview

Join a dynamic and innovative real estate lending platform as a Controller, where you will play a pivotal role in overseeing accounting operations and financial reporting processes. This position offers the opportunity to contribute to the growth of a forward-thinking firm while enhancing your career in a collaborative and flexible work environment. You will be instrumental in maintaining rigorous financial controls and supporting strategic initiatives, all while working alongside a team that values integrity, excellence, and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

Oversee and execute accounts payable and receivable processes, ensuring timely and accurate transaction processing.
Maintain and reconcile the general ledger and accounting records, establishing strong internal controls for accurate reporting.
Coordinate with external accounting and tax firms to ensure compliance and accurate financial statements.
Manage investor documentation, including participation and subscription agreements, while tracking capital activity.
Prepare internal financial reports and support compliance with regulatory requirements.
Contribute to strategic growth initiatives, including the development of in-house loan servicing capabilities and improved financial systems.
Assist in enhancing operational infrastructure to support the firm’s scaling efforts.

Qualifications

Must-Have:
Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
5+ years of accounting or financial reporting experience in a real estate company or investment fund, preferably in real estate debt or private credit.
Strong background in accounting and financial reporting, with high proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
Experience working with external accountants, tax advisors, and fund administrators.
Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Nice-to-Have:
Familiarity with ERP systems such as SAP or NetSuite.
Experience with acquisition integration, revenue recognition, or ASC-742 standards.
Demonstrated ability to contribute to strategic financial planning and operational improvements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do Accounting Manager hires fail?
Because companies hire for close execution when the real need is issue ownership and team leadership. Many candidates can manage a checklist. Far fewer can stabilize the function under pressure, improve weak processes, coach staff, and hold the line during audit, turnover, or reporting stress.
What are strong Accounting Manager candidates evaluating during the interview process?
They are usually trying to understand whether they are walking into a stable environment, a cleanup situation, or an under-resourced function. Strong candidates do not just evaluate title and compensation. They assess whether success is realistically achievable and whether leadership understands what the accounting team actually needs.
Why do accounting roles in real estate often require a different kind of operator?
Because entity structures, property-level reporting, intercompany activity, partnership considerations, and ownership reporting can create a more structurally complex environment than many standard corporate settings. Real estate accounting roles usually demand a candidate who understands the operating rhythm of the business, not just the debits and credits.
Why does ERP experience matter so much in roles like this?
Because many accounting and finance roles are really process-and-systems roles disguised as job titles. A candidate may know the accounting, but if they cannot operate effectively inside the company's environment, ramp time becomes risk. Exact system match is not always mandatory, but comparable complexity often is.
How do strong candidates typically evaluate opportunities like this?
Strong candidates rarely evaluate a role based on title alone. They look at what the position actually owns, how the function is viewed internally, whether the environment is stable or in transition, and what success will realistically look like in the first 6 to 12 months. Many first discover a role through a posting, but the strongest career decisions usually come from understanding the context behind the opportunity, not just the job description. In accounting and finance hiring, that level of context is often what separates a lateral move from a meaningful one. Learn more about how strategic accounting and finance searches differ from transactional recruiting.
Is direct NetSuite experience actually necessary?
Not always. What matters more is whether the candidate has handled a similar level of system complexity and can adapt quickly. That said, in lean environments, cleanups, or fragile closes, direct NetSuite familiarity can materially reduce ramp risk.