Controller, Property Management

Description

About FirstService Residential: 

FirstService Residential transforms the property management landscape by providing professional association management services to over 9,000 residential communities across the United States and Canada. 

Our dedication to associate satisfaction and growth is recognized by our Great Place to Work certification, exemplifying our commitment to fostering a positive and inclusive workplace culture. Our 19,000 associates can count on competitive salaries, top-tier medical, dental, career training, and support for continued professional development. 

Experience being part of a high-performing team with a fulfilling career in property management with FirstService Residential. 

  

Job Overview: 

The Controller, reporting to the Director, Property Management – Canada, is a proactive leader focused on aggressive change management within the client accounting team. This role emphasizes change management and operational expertise, requiring strong business acumen, effective communication, and excellent interpersonal skills.

The Controller will be the lead in onboarding new Property Management clients, ensuring accurate and timely financial reports, overseeing processes, resolving issues, and aligning with FirstService Residential's objectives.

This is a multi-market role and requires the candidate to understand the business operations and industries in each market to ensure that business targets in each market are adequately supported.

This is an Operational Controller position, focused on delivering Process Management in addition to some Financial Analysis. The candidate should exhibit strong accountability, urgency, and ownership and drive process improvements and efficiencies. They will design, execute, and train on new systems, partnering with teams to establish best practices.

Responsibilities: 

Client Accounting

• The Controller will lead a team of accounting team members and will be the primary lead for onboarding new clients for the Property Management division.
• Ensure smooth onboarding of new clients and provide excellent client service to support client retention.
• They will support and lead accountants in the following functions and may also be required to complete these functions themselves:
• Perform complex accounting functions for a portfolio of real estate properties accurately, efficiently, and by the assigned deadlines with limited supervision.
• Have full involvement, responsibility, and accountability for their portfolio, which includes Monthly Financial Statement preparation and distribution, Annual Budget Input and Loan/Mortgage Calculation, etc.
• Coordinate with property manager to ensure compliance with all procedures and evaluate and prepare all annual budgets and review all expense ledgers and assist in recovery reconciliations.
• Research and analyze financial data as required internally by management and externally by investors and other parties.
• Daily bank reconciliations including follow up and correction of outstanding items.
• Reconciliation and understanding of all balance sheet accounts and produce monthly financial statements and supplementary reporting as required.
• Ensure all GST and other legislated taxes and assessments are reconciled and remitted.
• Monitor and review monthly receivables for accuracy, adjustments, and/or corrections.
• Monitor cash positions and anticipate future cash deficiencies.
• Complete year end CAM recovery adjustment and tenant billings for assigned properties.
• Support annual budget process and follow up on status of budgets throughout the workflow stages to ensure completion within the assigned deadlines.
• Build a team culture rooted in trust, respect, and collaboration.
• Nurture and develop a team by working closely with the Accounting Managers to ensure timely and accurate preparation of client financial information and reports.
  
  

Special Projects And Programs

• Assess business processes identifying areas for improvement and implementing best practices
• Coordinate systems enhancements/implementations supporting business process reengineering
  
  

Other

• Ability to build strong performing teams by coaching and developing people
• Possess strong conflict management skills and comfortable having tough conversations
• Able to multi-task, manage time and handle complex issues in a fast-paced dynamic environment by being positive, flexible, and open-minded
• Excellent English communication skills, both written and verbal
  
  

Skills & Qualifications: 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.

• Strong Canadian GAAP knowledge and financial statement disclosure
• Advanced working knowledge of Excel and strong database skills together with proficiency in Microsoft suite
• Strong financial acumen and analytical agility
• Detail oriented, organized, and able to meet tight deadlines
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment
• Proven prioritization, time management and project management skills
• Effective written and interpersonal communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills with ability to build effective relationships across the organization
• Demonstrated commitment to service excellence
• Ability to lead people, processes, and systems
• Experience with an ERP system; proficiency with MS Suite with advanced skills in Excel. Yardi Voyager is an asset.
  
  

Education & Experience

The successful candidate will possess an undergraduate degree and accounting designation (CPA, CA, CMA, CGA) together with a minimum of 10 years experience, preferably multifamily residential or commercial property management.

What We Offer: 

As a full-time associate, you will be eligible for employer paid health & dental, time off benefits, access to our Employee Assistance Plan, RRSP matching, and Tuition Reimbursement Program. 

Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8:30am - 5:00pm

Compensation: 

$110,000 - $120,000 per annum

FirstService Residential is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. It is our policy to promote equal employment opportunity for all current and prospective associates. This applies to all employment-related matters, including the recruitment process, hiring decisions, compensation and benefits. We are committed to providing and maintaining a working environment that is based on respect and preserves the dignity and rights of everyone in the organization. If you have questions before or during the application process about our equal opportunity workplace, please reach out to our Recruitment team.

IN2018

Automated Employment Decision Tool (AEDT) Usage: We may utilize an Automated Employment Decision Tool (AEDT) in connection with the assessment or evaluation of candidates. The AEDT is designed to assist in objectively evaluating candidate qualifications based on specific job-related characteristics.

Job Qualifications and Characteristics Assessed: The AEDT evaluates candidates based on job qualifications and characteristics pertinent to the role, including skills, experience, and competencies relevant to the position requirements. These qualifications are determined by the unique needs of each role within our company.

Alternative Selection Process or Reasonable Accommodations: Candidates who require an alternative selection process or a “reasonable accommodation,” as defined under applicable disability laws, may make a request through our designated contact channel national_recruiting@fsresidential.com.

Requesting Information About the AEDT - NYC Local Law 144: Candidates who reside in New York City and are subject to NYC Local Law 144 may request information about the AEDT, including details on the type of data collected, the sources of such data, and our data retention policies. To submit a request, please contact us at national_recruiting@fsresidential.com; we will respond in accordance with Local Law 144, within 30 days.