Controller - Commercial Real Estate Development
Job Description
Controller – Commercial Real Estate Development
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Palm Beach Gardens, FL | ECP Partners
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Company Description
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ECP Partners is a high-growth, people-oriented merchant developer of commercial real estate headquartered in Palm Beach Gardens, FL. We acquire and entitle sites, then develop and sell client-driven projects, including single-tenant retail, retail healthcare, grocery-anchored shopping centers, infill sites, and small commercial subdivisions. We also provide fee-based development services for national retail and grocery clients. We're a hard-working team committed to excellence, but we also prioritize people over profits, value work/life balance, and believe in building a culture that’s both supportive and fun. Learn more at www.ecpdev.com.
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Position Overview
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ECP Partners is seeking a Controller to lead our accounting and financial operations and to own accounting and finance for both the firm and its portfolio of project entities. This role is ideal for a motivated, detail-oriented professional who thrives in a dynamic, entrepreneurial environment and is eager to grow alongside the company.
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The Controller will lead firm accounting, cash flow reporting, project accounting, balance sheet integrity, AR/AP, and banking relationships. This is a hands-on role in a lean organization, ideal for someone who wants to build the accounting function and grow into increased responsibility as ECP expands.
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Key ResponsibilitiesFirm Accounting and Cash Flow Reporting
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· Own the firm-level general ledger, monthly close, and monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements in accordance with GAAP.
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· Account for development, management, and other fee revenue, as well as reimbursable costs billed to clients and project entities.
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· Manage payroll, corporate overhead, and the annual operating budget, and report budget-to-actual performance to ownership.
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· Track and reconcile intercompany activity, cost allocations, and due to/due from balances between the firm and project LLCs.
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· Establish and maintain internal controls, approval authorities, and accounting policies appropriate for a multi-entity development company.
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· Prepare a monthly cash position report across the firm and all project entities.
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· Forecast equity contributions, capital calls, loan fundings, sale proceeds, and partner distributions.
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· Provide ownership with clear, timely visibility into liquidity, upcoming obligations, and cash needs for the development pipeline.
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Project Accounting
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· Form and set up new project LLCs, including entity records, EINs, bank accounts, charts of accounts, and job cost structures.
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· Track job costs by budget line item and capitalize hard costs, soft costs, interest, and carry in accordance with GAAP.
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· Review contracts, change orders, and pay applications, and assemble construction draw packages with supporting invoices and lien waivers.
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· Review closing statements for acquisitions, dispositions, and ground leases; record sales and gain on sale; and manage escrow holdbacks and post-closing true-ups.
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Balance Sheet
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· Reconcile all balance sheet accounts across the firm and project entities each month.
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· Maintain supporting schedules for land, construction in progress, capitalized costs, deposits and escrows, retainage, accrued interest, and debt.
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· Maintain equity roll-forwards for each entity, tracking contributions, distributions, and partner capital accounts.
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· Prepare consolidated and entity-level balance sheets and eliminate intercompany balances.
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AR/AP
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· Manage accounts payable for the firm and all project entities, including invoice coding, approval workflow against contracts and budgets, and payment runs.
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· Confirm lien waivers, insurance certificates, and W-9s are in place before payment; maintain vendor records and issue 1099s.
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· Bill and collect development fees, reimbursable costs, tenant and purchaser reimbursements, and escrow releases.
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Banking
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· Serve as the primary liaison with banks and construction lenders.
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· Open and manage operating and project bank accounts, treasury activity, and fraud-prevention controls such as positive pay and dual approval.
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· Prepare and submit construction loan draws and manage interest reserves.
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· Track and report loan covenants, financial reporting requirements, and maturities.
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· Support loan closings, extensions, and payoffs at sale, and coordinate letters of credit and bonds as needed.
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Tax, Audit & Systems
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· Coordinate with external CPA firms on entity tax returns, K-1s, and any audits or reviews; maintain schedules and workpapers.
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· Track property tax, sales tax, and annual entity filing obligations for all entities.
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· Implement or upgrade accounting systems and workflows to scale with a growing number of entities and projects.
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Qualifications
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· Demonstrates integrity, values teamwork, and is committed to delivering high-quality work.
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· Bachelor’s degree in Accounting (CPA a plus, not required).
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· 5+ years of progressive accounting experience, preferably in real estate. Experience in construction accounting or multi-unit restaurant, retail, or hospitality accounting will be considered.
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· Hands-on experience managing the books for multiple LLCs or project entities at once, including intercompany activity and consolidations.
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· Experience in financial reporting, lender interaction, or project accounting.
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· Proficient in QuickBooks and Excel.
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· Strong communicator, highly organized, and self-starter.
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Salary: $100-125k plus bonus
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ECP Partners is an equal opportunity employer that values people, integrity, and continuous improvement. If you’re looking for a place where your contributions matter—and where you can grow with a company on the rise—we invite you to apply.
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To apply, please send your resume and cover letter to Mike Lucido at mlucido@ecpdev.com