Fairlawn Real Estate Hiring for Controller Full Time

Fairlawn Real Estate is currently searching for an experienced Controller to lead its growing Finance and Administration Department. The position will have primary day-to-day responsibility for planning, implementing, managing and controlling finance and accounting-related activities for Fairlawn. This will include analysis around and forecasting of financial performance and cash needs of our properties and entities. The Controller will integrate the functions within the department including accounting, finance, IT, human resources, pricing and procurement and risk management. The ideal candidate will fully align with Fairlawn’s core values: Be Kind, Own It, Be Flexible and Always Improve. This role will be based in our corporate office in Champaign, IL and to the Chief Operating Officer.

Why should you work here?

• Competitive Pay
• Medical, Dental, Vision and Life Insurance Starting First Day of Employment
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with Match
• Phone Stipend + Vehicle Stipend
• Vacation, Sick Leave, and Holiday Pay
• Employee sponsored benefits including Short Term Disability, Life Insurance, Critical Illness, Accident, Flexible Spending and H.S.A. Accounts
• The opportunity to work for a growing organization where you are valued and can have a direct impact

What will you do?

• Exemplify the core values of Be Kind, Be Flexible, Own It and Always Improve
• Manage monthly and annual financial ing and cash flow projections for 50+ entities
• Direct the cash and treasury management process. Set the policy for maintaining appropriate reserves by entity for taxes, insurance and capital needs
• Assess and maintain internal controls including logic around and execution of purchase orders, bill approvals and access to sensitive information
• Own and facilitate Fairlawn’s budget process, working closely with key stakeholders to develop annual budgets across all entities, and maintaining a monthly budget variance process that ensures accountability and action for underperforming assets
• Maintain a thorough understanding of each legal entity and debt structure. Coordinate and ensure completion of annual ing requirements by deadlines
• Assist in the Investment Management Process by maintaining loan portfolio data and providing support and insight during the refinancing process
• Direct and maintain company lines of credit and intercompany loan system
• Direct the preparation of and provide oversight and review for all external audits, including but not limited to lender required property audits (e.g. HUD) and corporate insurance audits (e.g. workers comp)
• Work with external firms to complete accurate year-end ing and timely tax return preparation for all entities
• Effectively lead and manage Managers within the Finance & Administration Department including Accounting, Pricing & Procurement and Human Resources
• Assist with the formation and documentation of new entities and onboarding of new properties
• Assist with real estate property accounting, including acquisition of properties, construction in process, capitalization of buildings, and the sale/disposition of properties
• Support recording of AP, loans and reimbursements owned by the Accounting Team
• Provide input during budget process to set appropriate owner distributions; process monthly owner distributions and capital calls
• Support annual insurance renewal process for relevant insurance classes including property, benefits and workers compensation
• Assist the Commercial Property Management Department by reviewing NNN budgets and reconciliations
• Maintain knowledge of organizational procedures, federal and state regulations, and accounting standards
• Identify, document, and implement department procedures and overall process improvements
• Provide exceptional customer service and serve as an ambassador of the Fairlawn brand
• Learn, audit and ensure team’s compliance with all Fair Housing Laws including local, state and federal housing regulations
• Pivot, roll up your sleeves and jump in where needed!

Requirements:

Who you are – we’d love to hear from you if you have the following:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance required, master’s degree preferred
• CPA preferred
• 10+ years of senior accounting and finance experience
• 5+ years of successful people management experience
• 5+ years experience in real estate preferred
• Experience overseeing additional administrative functions including Human Resources
• Advanced Excel skills including the ability to produce graphs and tables, use spreadsheets efficiently, and perform calculations/create formulas and automation to process large volumes of data
• Experience effectively communicating insights and recommended actions both verbally and written (e.g. PowerPoint) to key stakeholders including senior leadership
• Can easily adapt to changing technology
• Demonstrate superior attention to detail, high energy and a positive attitude
• Have an ability to give and receive real-time feedback with a positive mindset
• Embody our core values: Be Kind, Be Flexible, Own It and Always Improve

Some additional things you will need:

• Valid driver’s license and dependable vehicle. Limited in-town usage of personal vehicle for errands, any out-of-County personal mileage reimbursed at the Federal rate
• Availability to work longer hours and weekends during department and company peak seasons
• Must be able to perform the physical functions of the position, not limited to: ability to sit for long periods of time at a computer

Fairlawn Real Estate is a fast-growing real estate firm managing approximately 5,000 units throughout Central Illinois and Indianapolis. Our company uses the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) to run and help grow our business – the tools from EOS contribute to finding the right people and putting them in the right roles, effectively solving issues as they arise and building a culture of accountability. In short it gets everyone on the same page and working toward the same goals. If you have an ownership mindset and take pride in all the details, joining our team may be perfect for you!

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