Controller

PREFERRED LIVING

CONTROLLER

THE PERSON

Are you a strong accounting leader who understands the complexity behind luxury multi-unit real estate development and property management? Do you enjoy operating at both a detailed and big picture level, ensuring the numbers are precise while also helping leadership make confident business decisions? Are you naturally curious, steady under pressure, and able to partner effectively with construction, operations, and ownership? If you are a high-integrity, business-minded accounting expert who leads with confidence and humility, we want to talk to you!

Our ideal Controller is:

Grounded and Even Tempered - You are calm, steady, and levelheaded in all situations. You do not get flustered easily or take things personally. You bring emotional maturity and create stability for the team.

Inquisitive and Business Minded - You are naturally curious and comfortable asking why. You apply the "smell test" to financial data and operational decisions. You understand how development, construction, and property management operations connect to the numbers.

Assertive Yet Humble - You are confident in your expertise without being rigid or self-centered. You can tactfully express strong opinions while remaining respectful and open minded. You know what you know, admit what you don't, and gain respect through credibility and character.

Proactive and Accountable - You don't wait to be asked but are proactive. You see what needs to be done and take initiative. Highly organized and dependable, you prioritize effectively and follow through.

A Collaborative Leader - You are approachable and helpful. You make people feel comfortable asking questions and can identify the strengths of your team members to delegate wisely. Our ideal Controller will be energized by the opportunity to assist in elevating the accounting function while working closely with the CFO and senior leadership. You will bring structure, insight, and perspective to a sophisticated and growing real estate platform that includes development, construction, and stabilized assets. You will ensure reporting is meaningful for lenders and ownership alike, while strengthening internal processes and team performance. Most importantly, you will play a key role in supporting Preferred Living's continued growth and long-term success in the Columbus market.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The responsibilities of the Controller role include, but are not limited to:

Financial Leadership and Reporting

Oversee the integrity and accuracy of financial reporting across development, construction, and stabilized property portfolios

Lead the monthly close process and ensure timely, accurate financial reporting by continuously reviewing general ledger activity, journal entries, and accounting batches to identify issues early and maintain clean financial data

Ensure reporting aligns with the needs of ownership and lenders, including compliance with loan covenants and related financial obligations Development and Construction Accounting Oversight

Oversee accounting for development and construction projects, including job costing, capitalization, cost tracking, and draw processes

Partner with construction and development leaders to provide financial visibility throughout the project lifecycle

Monitor builder's risk insurance and other financial components tied to active construction projects Team Leadership and Operational Alignment

Learn and understand team processes to identify efficiencies and strengthen overall performance

Lead, mentor, and develop the accounting team by clarifying responsibilities, reviewing work product, and providing ongoing feedback

Help staff prioritize effectively, recalibrate workloads when necessary, and delegate strategically while remaining appropriately hands on Controls, Process Improvement and Strategic Partnership

Maintain and strengthen internal controls while proactively improving processes to safeguard company assets, and enhance accuracy, efficiency, and scalability

Serve as a financial partner to property management and construction teams, providing clear insights that support operational decision making

Support the CFO in advancing the sophistication, structure, and long-term scalability of the accounting function ** This is full-time, in-person position based in Columbus, OH **

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

Bachelor's degree

Minimum 5 years of progressive accounting experience, including at least 2 years of direct people management

Current experience as a Controller or senior accounting leader with full ownership of the monthly close and financial statement accuracy

Experience overseeing accounting for multiple entities, divisions, or locations within a complex organizational structure

Demonstrated experience leading an accounting team while remaining hands on in complex or high-volume environments

Background in inventory, cost of goods sold, work in progress, or other operationally complex accounting environments

Advanced Excel proficiency, including building and auditing formulas, pivot tables, and managing large data sets Preferred

Construction or real estate development accounting experience

Experience in a small to mid-sized, for-profit business environment with operational complexity

Experience working within a property management or real estate accounting system such as Yardi, Timberline, Oracle, RealPage, or a comparable ERP platform Desired

Experience preparing and submitting monthly construction loan draws

Significant exposure to construction accounting, including job costing and project based financial tracking

Experience managing cash across multiple bank accounts and entities, including intercompany AR and AP, and oversight of liquidity and internal cash controls THE COMPANY - Preferred Living

Preferred Living is a Columbus based multi-unit luxury real estate developer, builder, and property management company. We create, construct, and manage high quality communities with a focus on innovation, experience, and long-term value. As a vertically integrated platform, we maintain visibility and accountability from development through stabilized operations. Our commitment is to deliver exceptional living experiences while fostering an energetic environment where employees can flourish.

WHY WORK WITH US?

Real opportunity to grow your career within a vertically integrated real estate platform

A fast-paced environment that values both speed and accuracy

Interactive and people focused; you will partner across construction, operations, and leadership

A fun, energetic culture where passion and liveliness show up every day

Leaders who are humble, approachable, and intentional about recognizing great work

A team first mindset - no task is too small and everyone jumps in to support one another

A mission driven organization where every employee matters and contributions are visible

We love dogs - the owner's sweet Bernese Mountain dog visits us daily! Core Values:

Drive - We are internally motivated to reach our goals. Initiative is expected and ambition is encouraged.

Execution - We promptly carry out clear, definitive plans. Ideas matter, but disciplined follow through defines success

Accountability - We take ownership of our actions, decisions, and outcomes. We do not pass responsibility.

Relentless - We pursue our goals with unwavering determination. We adapt, pivot when necessary, and persist despite challenges.

Our Purpose is to create the highest quality and most innovative living experience for our communities while fostering an energetic environment where our employees can flourish.

We call it The Preferred Way. Success is a journey that requires continuous improvement, curiosity, clear plans, strong execution, individual accountability, and the willingness to pivot in order to achieve meaningful results.

Salary:

Benefits: Medical (PPO or HSA), Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, PTO and 401(k)

JOB CODE: Preferred Living