Controller

Controller / Head of Accounting and Finance – Pasadena, CA 

The opportunity:

This is a senior leadership role overseeing the full financial reporting function — from complex fund accounting to client-facing deliverables and audit management. You’ll serve as both a hands-on technical leader and a trusted point of contact for fund managers, GPs, and institutional investors. The right candidate is a CPA from a public accounting firm with meaningful real estate fund experience who’s ready to step into a high-visibility seat at a growing platform.

What you’ll own:

• Lead all fund accounting and financial reporting for private real estate debt and equity funds across PE, credit, and direct/indirect investment structures
• Oversee preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual GAAP financial statements; own accuracy, completeness, and timeliness
• Serve as the primary relationship owner for fund managers, GPs, operators, and institutional investors — translating complex financials into clear, executive-ready reporting
• Manage all audit activity, including PCAOB and regulatory audits, as the main coordinator and point of contact
• Review and process third-party investment reports, statements, and portfolio-level analyses that underpin client deliverables
• Identify and drive improvements to accounting workflows, reporting processes, and internal controls
• Hire, develop, and retain a high-performing accounting team; build the bench for continued platform growth
• Partner with the President and Senior Managing Director on strategic initiatives and new client onboarding

Requirements

• Active CPA license
• Public accounting experience preferred
• Real estate fund accounting knowledge preferred (debt and/or equity structures)
• Experience managing audits end-to-end
• Advanced Excel; experience with fund accounting systems
• Executive-level written and verbal communication skills

You can inquire confidentially to: Ileana Chappel 310-770-7834 or ileana@rmasearch.com