Controller, Finance & Accounting - HR&A Advisors

ABOUT US |  HR&A Advisors, Inc. (HR&A) is an employee-owned company advising public, private, non-profit, and philanthropic clients on how to increase opportunity and advance quality of life in cities.  We believe in creating vital places, building equitable and resilient communities, and improving people’s lives.         

From Brooklyn to London, Medellin to Hong Kong, we have guided hundreds of clients in transforming real estate and economic development concepts, and public infrastructure, first into actionable plans and then into job-producing, community-strengthening assets.  

Our clients include real estate owners and investors, hospitals and universities, cultural institutions and philanthropies, community development organizations, and governments.        

HR&A has offices in Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York, Raleigh, and Washington D.C. We come from diverse backgrounds, have a breadth of lived experience, and share a passion for cities. We are former city officials, executive directors, planners, lawyers, architects, and economists.        

Hear more about the HR&A experience from our staff.    

Learn more about careers at HR&A on our website here.  

THE OPPORTUNITY | HR&A’s Finance and Accounting team provides all financial transaction processing, banking, budgeting, compliance, and financial analysis and reporting for the firm. The Finance and Accounting team is a crucial part of our Growth, People, and Operations (GPO) centralized corporate organization. Our Finance and Accounting function includes: accounts receivable, accounts payable, cash management, accounting, compliance, budgeting, utilization tracking, and analysis and reporting. The team reports to our Chief Operating and Finance Officer.  

THE ROLE | HR&A is seeking an initiative-taking and experienced Controller with 10 - 14 years of accounting experience, including 3 - 5 years of experience in a senior and supervisory financial role. The Controller will manage our accounting team and oversee all financial transaction processing, vendors, accounts receivable, accounts payable, cash management, reporting, and financial compliance functions. This role is based in our New York office.  The ideal candidate has worked in a professional services firm, managed all aspects of the firm’s books, and understands the ins and outs of accounting and reporting in accordance with GAAP. The Controller will have the opportunity to build out processes, develop structures, and organize the team to support HR&A’s high growth.  They will be a key player in helping the organization create the infrastructures, platforms, and systems needed to support our ambitious goals for the future.  

Management 

• Plan, organize, and monitor the daily activities of the Finance and Accounting function including:  
• Client invoicing to meet revenue targets. 
• Monitoring and reporting receivables and supporting collections. 
• Accounts payable processing, expense controls, contractor and sub-contractor payments, and employee expense reimbursement. 
• Cash analysis, reporting and liquidity management. 
• Coordinate and communicate effectively with client service teams and corporate functions (including the People, IT, Facilities, and Growth teams) to ensure seamless financial operations. 
• Manage, coach, develop, evaluate, and grow the members of the Finance and Accounting function including full time employees, contractors, and temporary staff. 

Accounting and Systems 

• Oversee all journal entries, ledgers, and chart of accounts with attention to detail and accuracy. 
• Ensure timely periodic accounting processes are completed on time and with accuracy (weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annually) such as closing the books, account reconciliations, and year-end close out. 
• Own and manage the firm’s core accounting and related financial processing systems, ensuring they are optimally configured, and functionalities are fully exploited to support automation and data integration and reduce manual steps and re-work.  
• Develop and maintain internal controls for data, access, and security. 
• Manage, organize, and control access to all accounting and finance information and files. 

Compliance and Reporting 

• Manage the firm’s annual financial audit, liaise with our external auditor, and ensure the process is timely and accurate.  
• Oversee all tax preparations for the firm, manage the firm’s tax accounting service, ensure all filing deadlines and requirements are met, and communicate tax and audit status as needed to senior leadership. 
• Manage all processes and compliance requirements for the firm’s Employee Stock Ownership Plan including distributions, contributions, audits, and valuations. 
• Develop, implement, and maintain accounting policies and procedures. 
• Provide tools and reports to help client service teams and internal corporate functions track and hit financial objectives. 
• Stay informed and up to date on industry trends and changes in accounting regulations to ensure compliance. 

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED | Successful candidates will bring strong analytical, accounting, project management, and team management capabilities.  These capabilities would be reflected in: 

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance.   
• 10 - 14 years of increasing levels of experience with accounting responsibility, including 3 - 5 years of experience as a Controller or Director of Accounting.   
• CPA certification and mastery of GAAP accounting standards. 
• Experience managing people and accounting functions. 
• Demonstrated expertise in the use, configuration, and optimization of accounting systems for financial services organizations, and comfort with using technology to streamline accounting processes.   
• Ability to apply structure problem-solving to complex issues and ability to drive data-driven decision-making. 
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills. 
• Commitment to diversity and inclusion. 

HYBRID WORK POLICY | HR&A fosters a collaborative and flexible work environment through our hybrid work policy. Employees work from the office at least two days a week, which allows individuals the freedom to balance their professional and personal lives while maintaining a strong connection to their teams.   

COMPENSATION | The annual base salary range for this position is $150,000 to $170,000, plus the opportunity for a discretionary year-end bonus. Where an offer falls inside the pay range is dependent on experience. We offer competitive compensation packages, based on qualifications and experience. We are an employee-owned company, meaning you will have the opportunity to benefit from the firm’s growth over time through participation in our Employee Stock Options Plan. Each year, the firm will contribute funds to this long-term wealth-building account and may make contributions to other retirement accounts. We also provide a comprehensive benefits package that goes well beyond coverage of 90-95% of healthcare premiums, including dental and vision coverage.    

HOW TO APPLY | HR&A is committed to attracting and retaining a talented, diverse, competitive team of professionals dedicated to solving the challenges of urban life. Women, people of color, members of the LGBTQ community, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply.   

To apply, click here. Please submit your cover letter and your resume as a single PDF document. Applications without this requested cover letter will not be reviewed.   

As part of our ongoing work to build a hiring system that mitigates bias and is based on candidate merit and performance, we ask that you submit a version of your resume and resume that has your school information removed. Please list your degree, e.g., B.A. Economics; however, remove all references to undergraduate and graduate schools you have attended.  

All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital status, medical condition, veteran status or any other basis as protected by federal, state, or local law.   

For more information, please contact us at jobs@hraadvisors.com.  

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