As the Assistant Controller, you will lead and strengthen our client's financial infrastructure during a period of growth and expanded project activity. Reporting to the CEO, you will provide strategic leadership and hands-on management of accounting operations, financial analysis, forecasting, project financial reporting, and systems. This role is integral to ensuring financial discipline, supporting capital strategies, and enabling data-driven decision-making across development and construction initiatives. This is a wonderful position for a candidate that really wants to step into a position with incredible growth opportunity. 

Industry: Luxury Residential Development & Construction

Location: Pacific Palisades, CA. Compensation: Competitive base salary with performance-based incentives

Company Overview

Our client is a real estate development and builder specializing in luxury residential, hospitality and mixed-use projects that blend architectural excellence with thoughtful, site-specific design. The firm is known for building and restoring homes that respect local heritage while embracing modern engineering, resilient materials and elevated lifestyle living—highlighted by its Palisades and Malibu rebuild initiatives that emphasize fire-resistant systems and cutting-edge construction techniques. Their vertically integrated model spans concept, entitlements, design, construction, and project delivery, enabling streamlined execution and high-quality outcomes on every project.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Strategy & Leadership

• Partner with executive leadership on financial planning, capital allocation, and risk assessment
• Lead development of corporate and project level financial models, including long-term forecasts
• Support evaluation and structuring of debt and equity financing for ground-up and rebuild projects.

Accounting & Reporting

• Oversee full cycle accounting across multiple entities, ensuring accurate and timely reporting
• Manage project accounting, job costing, draw tracking, and construction cost control
• Prepare monthly financial packages, KPIs, variance analysis, and board-level reporting Budgeting & Forecasting

• Lead annual budgeting process and ongoing reforecasting aligned with development pipeline
• Provide detailed cash flow projections tied to construction milestones and capital calls.

Systems & Compliance

• Enhance accounting systems and internal controls; optimize ERP
• Manage compliance with tax, audit, lender, and regulatory requirements
• Coordinate with in-house book-keeper, external auditors, tax advisors, and legal counsel

Team Leadership

• Build and mentor the accounting team, fostering accountability and professional growth
• Establish scalable workflows that support growth and increased project complexity

Ideal Candidate Profile

• 5-10+ years of accounting and finance experience in residential development, construction, or a closely related field
• Strong technical proficiency in financial modeling, project accounting, and multi-entity reporting
• Cash Flow & Banking: Manage cash flow, banking relationships, and covenant compliance.
• Experience working with construction financing, lender reporting, and capital partners
• Familiarity with job cost accounting and construction cost controls
• Expertise with accounting systems 
• Strategic thinker with excellent communication skills and ability to partner with cross-functional teams
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial, and growth-oriented environment
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance is required. CPA, CMA, or MBA is strongly preferred

Why Join Our Client

• Influence key financial strategy at a firm known for high-quality luxury and rebuild projects
• Work at a pivotal stage as the company scales its pipeline and internal capabilities
• Lead and shape the finance and accounting function with significant ownership
• Collaborate closely with senior leadership, builders and development partners
• Competitive compensation with performance incentives and growth opportunities

Contact: Kipp Gillian, CEO, Gillian Executive Search, 866-600-0437x1, kgillian@gessearch.com
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