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Property Controller Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

California Dental Association

Controller

Sacramento, CA · On-site +1

$142K - $189K/yr

Controller Pay Information: Exempt - $142,300- $189,700per year Location: Remote first work ... Partners (property management), CDA Foundation and CDA Holding Company. This role manages the ...

mew

Controller

Redding, CA · On-site

$105K - $170K/yr

Financial Controller Supervisor: Chief Financial Officer Compensation: Salary $105,000-$170,000 ... Ensure accurate and timely filing of annual property tax statements. * Work with outside ...

Maas Energy Works LLC

Controller

Redding, CA · On-site

$105K - $170K/yr

Financial Controller Supervisor: Chief Financial Officer Compensation: Salary $105,000-$170,000 ... Ensure accurate and timely filing of annual property tax statements. * Work with outside ...

OCC Boy Scouts

Controller

Santa Ana, CA · On-site

$90K/yr

Job Title: Controller FLSA Status: Exempt Reports to: CFO/Vice President Accounting & Finance ... Maintain financial records for Council properties, camps, vehicles, equipment, and capital assets ...

JC Resorts

Golf Controller

San Diego, CA

$119K - $150K/yr

With managed properties throughout Southern California and extending to New Mexico, JC Golf offers ... To further explore the Golf Controller opportunity, click here to view the in detail. This position ...

.

Controller

Fontana, CA · On-site

$150K - $180K/yr

Position Summary The Controller is responsible for leading all accounting, financial reporting ... Support compliance with sales and use tax, property tax, and other regulatory requirements.

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All JobsProperty Controller JobsProperty Controller Jobs in California

Property Controller information

See California salary details

$46.4K

$114.5K

$165.3K

How much do property controller jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for property controller in California is $114,454.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $86,400.00 and $139,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a property controller?

A property controller oversees the accounting department for a real estate company to ensure financial data is reported accurately and in compliance with all government regulations. As a property controller, you review accounting data on a regular basis and produce reports to upper management on the current financial status of assets and investments. These reports are used to develop ways to make the company more productive and profitable. To become a property controller, you need to be a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and have several years of experience in property accounting and management.

What is the difference between Property Controller vs Property Manager?

AspectProperty ControllerProperty Manager
Primary RoleOversees financial and accounting functions related to property assetsManages daily operations and tenant relations of a property
Required CredentialsAccounting or finance certifications often preferredReal estate or property management certifications
Work EnvironmentCorporate offices, financial departmentsOn-site at properties, leasing offices
Industry UsageReal estate investment firms, property portfoliosResidential, commercial property management

The Property Controller focuses on financial oversight and accounting for property assets, while the Property Manager handles daily operations and tenant relations. Both roles are essential in real estate but serve different functions within the property management ecosystem.

How does a property controller typically collaborate with property managers and other departments within a real estate organization?

As a Property Controller, you will frequently work alongside property managers, leasing teams, and facility staff to ensure accurate financial reporting and effective budget management. This collaboration often involves regular meetings to review property performance, discuss variances, and strategize on cost-saving opportunities. You'll also coordinate with accounting and finance departments to prepare statements, support audits, and streamline accounting processes. Strong communication and teamwork skills are essential, as your insights directly impact operational decisions and property profitability.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a property controller, and why are they important?

To excel as a Property Controller, you need strong accounting expertise, financial analysis skills, and a solid understanding of property management principles, usually supported by a degree in accounting or finance and several years of relevant experience. Proficiency in property management software (like Yardi or MRI), advanced Excel skills, and familiarity with GAAP and industry-specific reporting tools are typically required. Attention to detail, strong organizational abilities, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for managing financial records and collaborating with property managers or owners. These competencies ensure accurate financial oversight, regulatory compliance, and the effective financial performance of real estate assets.
More about Property Controller jobs
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What cities in California are hiring for Property Controller jobs? Cities in California with the most Property Controller job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Property Controller jobs in CA? For Property Controller jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Property Controller jobs near you
Infographic showing various Property Controller job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 66% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 17% Nights. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $114,454 per year, or $55 per hour.

Controller - Director of Accounting (Commercial Real Estate)

Bisnow

Manhattan Beach, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 4 days ago

Job description

Our SelectLeaders client is a growing real estate investment and property management organization. The company owns and manages a substantial portfolio of residential and commercial real estate assets, with a complex operating structure that includes 40+ entities and approximately 100 properties.
They are seeking an experienced, highly organized, process-driven Controller / Director of Accounting & Finance who can take full ownership of the accounting and finance function. This is a senior leadership role for someone who can manage day-to-day accounting operations, build scalable systems, lead a department, and help guide the company through its next stage of growth.
The right candidate will have the opportunity to become a long-term leader and potential future partner in the organization.
Position Overview
The Controller will be responsible for organizing, managing, and improving the company's entire accounting and finance department, including financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, KPI tracking, and portfolio-level performance analysis. This person must be capable of operating at both a strategic and tactical level - able to design department-wide systems and processes, while also being willing to review details, solve problems directly, and perform accounting entries when needed.
The Controller will be expected to identify opportunities to automate manual processes, improve reporting accuracy and speed, create AI-supported workflows, and help transition the accounting department from a primarily human-led process to a more structured, technology-enabled, AI-supported operating model.
This role requires someone with deep accounting experience, strong real estate or property management accounting knowledge, and a demonstrated ability to create structure in a complex, multi-entity environment. The ideal candidate will be able to manage accounting across 40+ entities and approximately 100 properties, develop detailed SOPs and process diagrams, establish meaningful company KPIs, and provide ownership with clear, timely, and actionable financial reporting.
Key Responsibilities:
Accounting & Financial Management
  • Oversee all accounting and financial reporting functions for the company's portfolio of properties, entities, and related businesses.
  • Manage accounting across 40+ legal entities and approximately 100 properties.
  • Supervise monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes.
  • Ensure accurate property-level, entity-level, and consolidated financial reporting.
  • Oversee accounts payable, accounts receivable, bank reconciliations, intercompany transactions, owner distributions, lender reporting, and cash management.
  • Review general ledger activity and ensure proper accounting treatment across all entities.
  • Coordinate with outside CPAs, tax advisors, auditors, lenders, investors, and internal ownership.
  • Maintain strong internal controls and ensure financial information is accurate, timely, and useful for management decision-making.

Budgeting, Forecasting & KPI Reporting
  • Lead the annual budgeting process for the company, its entities, and its property portfolio.
  • Create and maintain property-level, entity-level, and company-level budgets.
  • Develop budget-to-actual reporting and variance analysis for ownership and senior management.
  • Build financial forecasts, cash flow projections, and capital planning reports.
  • Establish and manage recurring KPI reporting for the company's accounting, finance, property management, leasing, maintenance, and operational functions.
  • Identify the most important financial and operational KPIs for the business and create a consistent reporting cadence around them.
  • Track and report on metrics such as occupancy, collections, delinquency, operating expenses, NOI, cash flow, maintenance costs, leasing velocity, debt service coverage, entity-level performance, and department productivity.
  • Work with ownership to turn accounting data into practical management insights and decision-making tools.
  • Improve visibility into portfolio performance through dashboards, recurring reports, and clear executive summaries.

Department Leadership & Organization
  • Take ownership of the entire accounting and finance department.
  • Create, document, diagram, and manage departmental workflows and SOPs.
  • Build clear systems for recurring accounting tasks, approval processes, reporting deadlines, and responsibility assignments.
  • Identify weaknesses in existing accounting operations and implement practical solutions.
  • Manage internal accounting staff and help develop a high-performance department.
  • Establish accountability, reporting cadence, and measurable standards for the finance team.
  • Ensure the accounting department can scale as the company grows.

AppFolio / Property Management Accounting
  • Manage accounting processes within AppFolio and related systems.
  • Improve workflows for property accounting, tenant ledgers, owner reporting, bank reconciliations, payables, receivables, and property-level reporting.
  • Ensure AppFolio is being used consistently and accurately across the portfolio.
  • Experience implementing, cleaning up, optimizing, or managing AppFolio accounting systems is strongly preferred.

Process Improvement, SOPs & AI Transition
  • Lead the transition from manual, human-dependent accounting processes toward a more automated, AI-assisted operating model.
  • Identify repetitive accounting and finance tasks that can be improved through automation, AI tools, offshore staffing, or better process design.
  • Develop written SOPs and process diagrams for all major accounting functions.
  • Help create a structured finance department that is not dependent on undocumented knowledge or individual employees.
  • Implement AI-assisted tools and workflows to improve accounting accuracy, reporting speed, budget tracking, variance analysis, KPI reporting, and executive-level financial visibility.
  • Evaluate and implement technology tools that improve accuracy, speed, accountability, and reporting quality.
  • Work with ownership to design the next-generation accounting and finance infrastructure for the company.

Hands-On Execution
  • Be willing and able to perform detailed accounting work when necessary.
  • Review and, when needed, prepare journal entries, reconciliations, schedules, and reports.
  • Troubleshoot accounting issues directly rather than only delegating.
  • Balance strategic leadership with practical execution.

Qualifications:
Required:
  • Minimum 10+ years of accounting experience.
  • Significant experience managing accounting operations for a complex business.
  • Demonstrated ability to organize and manage an entire accounting and finance department.
  • Strong understanding of financial statements, general ledger accounting, reconciliations, cash management, budgeting, forecasting, and internal controls.
  • Experience managing multiple entities, properties, cost centers, or business units.
  • Proven ability to create and manage SOPs, workflows, checklists, and reporting systems.
  • Ability to create, manage, and report on company KPIs.
  • Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
  • Comfortable working in a fast-moving entrepreneurial environment.
  • Willingness to be both a high-level strategic thinker and a hands-on accounting operator.

Strongly Preferred
  • Experience with AppFolio.
  • Real estate, property management, or real estate investment accounting experience.
  • CPA license.
  • Experience managing offshore accounting personnel or outsourced accounting support.
  • Experience implementing automation, AI tools, or technology-enabled accounting processes.
  • Experience building dashboards, budget-to-actual reports, financial models, and KPI reporting systems.
  • Experience working with ownership, investors, lenders, and outside tax professionals.

Compensation:
Base Salary Range: $160,000 - $195,000 base plus discretionary bonus
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

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