Real Estate Accounting Controller

Job Description

Job Description

About AHC Inc.

AHC Inc. is one of the Washington, D.C. region's leading non-profit developers of affordable housing. For nearly 50 years, we have been committed to a single mission: to build and preserve affordable homes that provide stability and opportunity for residents to live, work, and contribute to their communities. By investing in neighborhoods across Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., we strengthen the economic fabric of the entire National Capital Region. Our work is more than real estate it's about creating pathways to opportunity.

Position Summary

AHC Inc. is seeking a mission-driven Real Estate Accounting Controller to oversee the financial operations for our growing portfolio of affordable housing properties. This role is critical to ensuring the financial health and compliance of our properties, which directly support our ability to develop and preserve affordable homes. The ideal candidate will be a hands-on leader with deep expertise in real estate accounting, development accounting and a passion for process improvement while using their financial skills for community impact. The successful candidate will be responsible for managing the full accounting cycle for a large portfolio of operating multi-family properties and several properties under development. It is expected that the Real Estate Controller will hire, train and mentor the real estate and development accounting staff, and partner closely with the AHC asset management and development teams while also managing outsourced property management accounting resources to ensure timely reporting and compliance with all lender and regulatory filings. This role serves as a finance partner across Development, Construction, and Asset Management, supporting the full lifecycle from predevelopment through stabilization and ongoing operations.

Key Responsibilities

Mission-Critical Financial Management:

• Work with outsourced third-party property managers to ensure the accuracy and timeliness of month-end closing and reporting for a portfolio of affordable housing properties.
• Hire, train, and manage development accounting team to ensure timely reporting of monthly results and regular completion of monthly construction draws.
• Ensure timely compliance with all lender and regulatory reporting requirements.
• Oversee cash management for the portfolio, including deposits, disbursements, and bank reconciliations, to ensure optimal liquidity for our mission-driven operations. Work with asset management team to set individual property cash management strategies.
• Integrate newly acquired or developed properties into AHC’s accounting and reporting frameworks.
• Work closely with Asset management team to ensure proper validation and accuracy of quarterly REO report.
• Oversee and coordinate construction draw processes, including review of draw packages, lender submissions, tracking of sources and uses, and alignment with development and construction teams.
• Support all development activity from a finance/accounting standpoint, including predevelopment tracking, capitalization, job cost oversight, construction funding flow, and project closeout.
• Hire, train and supervise development accountant to monitor project-level budgets and job cost tracking with budget-to-actual analysis in coordination with Construction and Development teams.
• Partner closely with Development, Construction, Asset Management to ensure alignment across budgets, contracts, draws, and reporting.
• Review and maintain familiarity with AIA documents and other construction and development-related contracts to support project execution and draw administration.

Affordable Housing & Compliance Expertise:

• Review monthly tenant rent charges, housing assistance payments, and other revenue streams specific to affordable housing programs.
• Work with asset management team to ensure compliance with complex funding requirements from various sources, including Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) partnerships, HUD, and other state/local grants.
• Prepare financial reports required for regulatory agencies, investors, and grantors.
• Lead annual audit and tax return preparation for portfolio, serving as a key point of contact for external auditors and ensuring smooth compliance. Lead annual surplus cash review and remittance process.

Leadership & Operational Excellence:

• Supervise, mentor, and develop a team of project and development accountants, fostering a collaborative and high-performing environment.
• Ensure proper review of outsourced property accounting to ensure complete and accurate financial reporting for assigned properties.
• Collaborate with the AHC asset management team and outsourced property management service providers to prepare annual property operating budgets and re-forecasts, providing financial insight to support operational decisions.
• Identify and lead process improvement initiatives to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of the accounting function.

Qualifications & Experience

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive accounting experience, with at least 5 years in a supervisory role.
• Significant experience in real estate accounting, specifically within multi-family residential or affordable housing with exposure to real estate development accounting.
• Experience with construction accounting, job cost tracking, construction draw processes, and real estate development/project financing structures required.
• Expert knowledge of GAAP and experience with the financial complexities of affordable housing, such as LIHTC partnerships, HUD regulations, or other subsidized housing programs.
• Advanced proficiency in Yardi or a similar real estate accounting software is required.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel for financial modeling and analysis.
• Exceptional attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and the ability to manage multiple priorities to meet deadlines.

Preferred:

• CPA (Certified Public Accountant) certification is highly preferred.
• Experience in a non-profit environment is a significant plus.

What We Offer

• A competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
• The opportunity to use your professional expertise to make a tangible, positive impact on your community.
• A collaborative, mission-driven work culture.
• Opportunities for professional development and growth within a respected and established organization.

AHC offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage; a health reimbursement account (HRA) for eligible employees; employer-paid life insurance; employer-paid short- and long-term disability coverage; health and dependent care flexible spending accounts (FSA); a 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching and discretionary contributions; voluntary benefits such as pet insurance, life and AD&D, identity theft, and legal coverage; transit and cellphone stipends; free parking; mental health support including an Employee Assistance Program (EAP); paid federal holidays, including time off during Christmas week; paid vacation and sick leave; and professional development opportunities.

AHC is a drug-free workplace. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check and drug screening.

AHC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable federal, state and local law.