Controller (Miami Freedom Park)

Description
The Controller will serve as the Company's senior accounting leader, responsible for establishing and leading the internal accounting function. This is a rare opportunity for a seasoned accounting professional to architect the systems, policies, processes, and team structure that will underpin a large-scale development platform through its most formative years and beyond.
The Controller will be the primary steward of the company's financial records, reporting, and controls, while simultaneously serving as a key advisor to executive leadership on matters of financial planning, compliance, and operational decision-making. The successful candidate will manage the transition of accounting operations from third-party staff augmentation to a fully integrated, in-house capability.
Requirements
Financial Infrastructure & Internal Controls

Design, implement, and formalize the company's accounting policies, procedures, and internal control framework in accordance with U.S. GAAP and industry best practices related to loan, ownership, and other reporting requirements.
Evaluate, select, and implement accounting systems and technology platforms to support current operations and future scalability.
Lead the transition of all accounting functions from the current third-party staff augmentation model to an in-house team, ensuring continuity, knowledge transfer, and process integrity throughout the migration.
Establish and document standard operating procedures across all accounting functions.
General Accounting & Financial Reporting

Oversee the general ledger and all subsidiary ledgers, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of financial data.
Own and manage the monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes, driving continuous improvement in close timelines and reporting quality.
Prepare and deliver accurate financial statements and management reporting packages for executive leadership, ownership, investors, and the board.
Develop and maintain a robust chart of accounts and cost allocation framework appropriate for a multi-entity, multi-project real estate development platform.
Development Accounting & Construction Finance

Oversee all development and construction accounting, including project cost tracking, job costing, capitalization policies, and budget-to-actual variance analysis.
Manage the preparation, submission, and reconciliation of construction loan draw requests, ensuring compliance with lender requirements and draw schedules.
Monitor and report on development budgets, funding sources, and capital deployment across the portfolio.
Support the structuring and financial administration of a complex capital stack, including equity contributions, mezzanine financing, and joint venture arrangements.
Debt Compliance & Lender Relations

Ensure full compliance with all loan covenants, borrowing base requirements, and lender reporting obligations across the company's debt facilities.
Prepare and deliver periodic lender compliance certificates, borrowing base reports, and other required financial deliverables.
Serve as key point of contact for lender inquiries and financial due diligence requests related to existing and prospective financings.
Tax Compliance & Advisory Coordination

Oversee all aspects of tax compliance, including property tax administration, sales and use tax, and partnership/entity-level tax obligations.
Coordinate with external tax advisors on federal, state, and local tax planning, return preparation, and any audit or inquiry matters.
Monitor and ensure compliance with tax-related provisions embedded in the municipal ground lease and development agreements.
Drive cost savings through the evaluation and implementation of tax optimization strategies.
Lead property-level cost segregation studies for appropriate depreciation tax value capture.
Evaluate tax efficiency of ownership investment strategies and capital planning priorities.
Cash Management & Treasury

Manage cash flow forecasting, liquidity planning, and working capital optimization across the business.
Oversee treasury functions, including bank account management, cash positioning, and intercompany fund flows.
Provide cash flow visibility and scenario analysis to support executive decision-making around capital calls, distributions, and project funding.
Facilitate capital call and funding processes.
Audit & External Relationships

Coordinate and manage the annual (and other required) audit process(es), serving as the primary liaison with external auditors.
Prepare audit workpapers, schedules, and supporting documentation to ensure efficient and clean audit outcomes.
Manage relationships with external accounting, tax, and advisory professionals, ensuring alignment with internal objectives and timelines.
Municipal Lease Compliance & Reporting

Ensure timely and accurate compliance with all financial reporting and performance obligations under the municipal ground lease(s).
Prepare and deliver any required financial certifications, development progress reports, or other deliverables to the municipality.
Maintain a thorough understanding of the financial and reporting provisions of the commercial development ground lease and other related development agreements.
Strategic Finance & Leadership Support

Serve as a trusted financial advisor to the President and executive leadership team members, providing analytical support on investment decisions, financial strategy, and operational planning.
Develop and deliver ad hoc financial analyses, scenario modeling, and decision-support materials as needed.
Contribute to the development of the broader finance and accounting organization, including hiring, mentoring, and building a high-performing team as the company scales.
All other duties as assigned.
Qualifications

CPA designation required (active license in good standing).
10+ years of progressive accounting experience, with a meaningful portion in commercial real estate development, construction, or a closely related sector.
Demonstrated expertise in development and construction accounting, including job costing, draw management, capitalization, and cost segregation.
Strong working knowledge of complex capital structures, including construction and permanent debt facilities, joint ventures, and multi-tier equity arrangements.
Proven experience managing lender reporting, covenant compliance, and financial due diligence processes.
Deep proficiency in U.S. GAAP as applied to real estate development entities and partnerships.
Hands-on experience selecting, implementing, and optimizing accounting systems and ERP platforms in real estate development settings.
Demonstrated ability to build processes and accounting infrastructure in high-growth or early-stage environments.
Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and stakeholders simultaneously.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex financial information for non-financial audiences.
Preferred Experience

Prior experience in a ground-up buildout of an accounting function or significant departmental transformation.
Familiarity with municipal or government-related lease structures, ground leases, or public-private development partnerships.
Experience with mixed-use, master-planned, or large-scale commercial development programs.
Background in property tax strategy and administration, including familiarity with assessment processes, exemptions, and appeals.
Experience with partnership and multi-entity tax structures, including coordination of K-1 preparation and investor reporting.
Proficiency with real estate–specific accounting platforms (e.g., Yardi, MRI, Sage) and advanced Excel / financial modeling capabilities.
Public accounting experience (Big Four or national/regional firm) with a real estate or construction industry focus is a plus.