About Howard Financial

Howard Financial is a full-service back-office solution for companies and entities with bookkeeping, payroll, and bespoke reporting needs that require accuracy, timeliness, and institutional-quality reporting without the burden of full-time staff.

We are an experienced team of bookkeepers and administrators with multiple decades of combined experience across industries allowing companies to focus on their core business while we handle the rest.

Founded in 2023, our team of 60 professionals supports ~40 clients across a diverse range of industries. We recently reached $5M of contracted ARR and are growing rapidly (over 150% MRR growth YTD).

The Accounting Director will lead the accounting function for a diversified real estate portfolio, providing strategic oversight, leadership, and client-facing expertise. This role is responsible for managing Senior Controllers and their teams, ensuring accurate financial reporting, strong internal controls, and exceptional client service. The Accounting Director serves as a trusted advisor to clients and internal stakeholders, aligning accounting operations with broader business objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Oversight

• Provide strategic direction for the accounting operations of the real estate portfolio, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and client expectations.
• Oversee and guide Senior Controllers and their teams, ensuring consistent accounting practices across the portfolio.
• Drive continuous improvement in accounting processes, systems, and controls to enhance efficiency, scalability, and accuracy.
• Partner with executive leadership to support portfolio strategy, acquisitions, dispositions, and other major transactions.

Financial Reporting & Compliance

• Ensure timely and accurate preparation and review of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements in accordance with GAAP and industry best practices.
• Oversee complex accounting matters including consolidations, intercompany transactions, lease accounting, and property-level reporting.
• Ensure compliance with internal controls, regulatory requirements, lender covenants, and audit standards.
• Act as the primary liaison for external auditors, tax advisors, and other financial consultants.

Client Relationship Management

• Serve as the primary accounting point of contact for key clients, fostering strong, trusted relationships.
• Proactively communicate financial results, trends, and insights to clients, translating complex accounting data into clear business insights.
• Address and resolve client inquiries with a high level of professionalism, responsiveness, and strategic perspective.
• Support client onboarding, transitions, and portfolio growth initiatives.

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop Senior Controllers and their teams, promoting a culture of accountability, collaboration, and excellence.
• Ensure appropriate staffing, training, and resource allocation across the portfolio.

Process Improvement & Systems

• Lead or support accounting system implementations, upgrades, and integrations.
• Leverage technology and data analytics to improve reporting quality and decision-making.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field (CPA preferred).
• 10+ years of progressive accounting experience, with significant experience in real estate accounting.
• Experience with QBO required, Sage Intacct and Yardi highly preferred
• Experience or knowledge with self storage, multifamily, and construction / development highly preferred
• Proven experience leading senior-level accounting professionals and managing multi-layered teams.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP, real estate accounting, and financial reporting for complex portfolios.
• Demonstrated ability to operate at a strategic level while maintaining attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a strong client-service mindset.
• Experience serving as a primary point of contact for clients and executive stakeholders.

Key Competencies

• Strategic thinking and business acumen
• Executive-level communication and client presence
• Leadership, mentoring, and team development
• Process improvement and change leadership
• Strong judgment and problem-solving skills