Director of Accounting

We are partnered with a vertically integrated real estate investment, management and development company with a primary concentration in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. The company specializes in large-scale, institutional-quality development projects with high impact, while also owning and managing a portfolio of existing operating real estate assets. They are one of the largest private landowners of Opportunity Zones in the District of Columbia and is intently focused on sustainability, health, wellness, and connection to community and the outdoors.
Our client is seeking a Director of Accounting to serve as a leader within the accounting department, reporting directly to the Senior Vice President of Accounting. This role carries direct oversight of general property accounting, fund accounting, and financial reporting across a multi-entity portfolio spanning pursuit, pre-development, construction, lease-up, stabilized, and joint venture structures, and is accountable for the technical accuracy and timeliness of the company's financial reporting.
The ideal candidate has a deep technical command of real estate fund and partnership accounting, along with the leadership capability to manage a growing team and serve as a close partner to the SVP of Accounting. This role is expected to run day-to-day department operations and serve as a key point of continuity and institutional knowledge for the accounting department.
Responsibilities and DutiesOversees the general accounting function, including intercompany accounting, cash and treasury management, financial reporting, and balance sheet management across a multi-entity portfolio of properties and opportunity zone investment funds.Directs the preparation of financial reports in compliance with company policy, US GAAP, and income tax basis reporting requirements.Leads development and maintenance of property- and fund-level waterfall calculations, promote structures, and equity roll-forward schedules.Provides technical accounting guidance across all entities and takes a lead role in due diligence and compliance with opportunity zone requirements.Oversees completion of Federal and State tax reporting requirements (including income, property, and other local taxes) and investor tax reporting (K-1s, estimated tax projections).Leads coordination of external audits and periodic reviews of company financial records, and drives implementation of audit recommendations across areas of responsibility.Owns, implements, and monitors accounting policies and internal controls to provide reasonable assurance that company assets are protected and financial processes scale with portfolio growth.Manages and mentors accounting staff day-to-day; helps establish team structure, workflows, and coverage plans to support a growing, increasingly complex entity portfolio.Partners cross-functionally with investor relations, asset management, and investments on investor communications, capital calls/distributions, and fund-level reporting deliverables.Supports evaluation and adoption of accounting systems and process improvements (including Yardi) to support scalability and reporting efficiency across the platform.
Education and ExperienceUndergraduate degree in Accounting required; CPA certification required. MBA or advanced degree a plus.8+ years of combined Public Accounting and Private Industry accounting experience, with substantial experience in real estate development, investment, and fund accounting strongly preferred.Demonstrated experience managing accounting operations across a multi-entity or fund platform, including GP/managing-member structures and JV arrangements.Advanced knowledge of real estate fund and property accounting, waterfall/promote mechanics, US GAAP, income tax basis reporting, internal controls, and financial reporting.Proven people-management experience, including leading, developing and mentoring an accounting team.Strong technical judgment on complex accounting and structuring matters, with the ability to operate with a meaningful degree of autonomy while keeping the SVP of Accounting informed.Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment, manage multiple priorities, and meet deadlines across a growing portfolio.Excellent communication and leadership skills; ability to work collaboratively across departmental functions and serve as a reliable partner to department leadership.Working knowledge of Yardi preferred; experience implementing or optimizing accounting systems preferred.