Controller POST NUMBER: 456857
Controller – Real Estate Private Equity (Confidential Search)
Location: Newark, NJ (Hybrid after training)
Position Type: Permanent, Full-Time
Compensation: Up to $150K base $25K bonus
Hybrid: First 90 days onsite, then 2–3 days WFH
About the Opportunity
Our client, a rapidly growing real estate private equity firm, is seeking a Controller to lead the company’s accounting and financial operations. In business for 7 years, this firm is at an exciting inflection point and is looking for an up-and-coming leader to step into their first true senior finance role.
This is a hands-on position reporting directly to the Managing Partner, with the mandate to rebuild and modernize the accounting function. The Controller will take ownership of financial reporting, GAAP compliance, process improvement, and future audit readiness while also preparing the firm for scale.
Key Responsibilities
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Oversee all core accounting operations including AP, AR, reconciliations, and data integrity within QuickBooks.
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Transition the company from QuickBooks to a larger ERP (Sage Intacct strongly considered).
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Ensure U.S. GAAP compliance and develop strong internal controls.
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Partner with HR and operations to support payroll (multi-state/global payroll experience preferred).
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Contribute to fund management and private equity operations (fund accounting exposure a plus).
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Support audits, lender requests, and finance readiness projects.
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Mentor and lead a small but growing accounting team (currently one direct report).
Qualifications
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Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance required; CPA strongly preferred.
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7 years of progressive accounting/finance experience with at least 3 in a Controller or senior-level role.
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Experience in private equity, real estate, or other investment-backed environments highly valued.
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Strong U.S. GAAP knowledge with a track record of improving processes, SOPs, and internal controls.
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Advanced Excel skills and proficiency with accounting/ERP systems; QuickBooks experience required, Sage Intacct a plus.
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Fund accounting experience is a plus but not required.
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Hands-on, solutions-oriented mindset; comfortable in a builder environment.
Why This Role?
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Step into the first senior finance leadership seat at a growing private equity firm.
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Direct line to senior leadership with influence on strategic decisions.
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Opportunity to reshape processes, implement systems, and prepare the company for scale.
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Clear growth path as the finance function expands.
Vaco by Highspring values a diverse workplace and strongly encourages women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply.
EEO Notice
Vaco by Highspring is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race (including but not limited to traits historically associated with race such as hair texture and hair style), color, sex (includes pregnancy or related conditions), religion or creed, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, status as a veteran, union membership, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, or any other protected characteristics as required by federal, state or local law.
Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact HR@vaco.com .
Vaco by Highspring also wants all applicants to know their rights that workplace discrimination is illegal.
By submitting to this position, you agree that you will be giving Vaco by Highspring the exclusive right to present your as a candidate for the foregoing employment opportunity. You further agree that you have represented information about yourself accurately and have not affirmatively misrepresented your qualifications. You also agree to maintain as confidential, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any information you learn from Vaco by Highspring about the position and you will limit disclosure of information about the position only to the extent necessary to perform any obligations in furtherance of your application. In exchange, Vaco by Highspring agrees to exercise reasonable efforts to represent you through all solicitation, job screening and resume dispersal.
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Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries (“we,” “our,” or “Vaco by Highspring”) respects your privacy and are committed to providing transparent notice of our policies.
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Pay Transparency Notice
Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco by Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to:
- the individual’s skill sets, experience and training;
- licensure and certification requirements;
- office location and other geographic considerations;
- other business and organizational needs.
With that said, as required by local law, Vaco by Highspring believes that the following salary range referenced above reasonably estimates the base compensation for an individual hired into this position in geographies that require salary range disclosure. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses.