Assistant Controller

Job DescriptionJob DescriptionSummary About BRIDGE Housing

BRIDGE Housing strengthens communities by developing, owning and managing high‐quality, affordable homes for working families and seniors. BRIDGE’s portfolio of housing currently consists of 130 properties and 13,769 units throughout California, Washington& Oregon. Few housing development organizations have achieved the success and stature of BRIDGE Housing Corporation (“BRIDGE”). Founded in 1983 utilizing an anonymous donation, BRIDGE today has become a leading affordable housing development partner.

BRIDGE has shown what can be done with clear vision, the right leadership and a strong base of support. BRIDGE has long been a national model for both production and innovation, bringing smart, sophisticated, comprehensive approaches to building communities. BRIDGE has a unique track record of successful development of transit oriented, mixed‐income apartments and mixed‐use developments bringing together partnerships to build not only housing but new shopping centers, parks, daycare centers, police and fire facilities, libraries, community spaces and job training centers that fit comfortably into their surroundings and also act as the catalyst for revitalizing and strengthening neighborhoods. One of BRIDGE's greatest assets is their team of professionals, who are highly skilled, energetic, motivated, and absolutely committed to the success of every development and the organization as a whole. The BRIDGE team, from the Board of Directors to each staff person, shares a passion for quality and possesses the business acumen to get the job done.

BRIDGE is working today not only to expand housing opportunities for thousands of residents in California and the Pacific Northwest but also to produce innovative, multi‐dimensional developments that serve and establish communities and neighborhoods in diverse ways. The organization’s core commitment to affordable housing remains steadfast, but its development expertise, creative funding strategies and bold ideas regarding education and training enable the organization to flourish. BRIDGE Housing closed on $100 million in Taxable Bonds, Series 2020 (Sustainability Bonds). BRIDGE will use bond proceeds for predevelopment, development and acquisition of multifamily housing that fit within its Sustainability Bond Framework of affordable housing, transit‐oriented development, green building and energy efficiency.

In 2023, BRIDGE Housing's credit rating with S&P has received a significant boost from A+ to AA- with a stable outlook. The upgrade is a result of BRIDGE’s leadership, strong financial performance, and an improvement in debt profile.

BRIDGE Finance & Accounting Team

The Finance & Accounting Team at BRIDGE has 40 staff members split across three teams: Corporate, Property Management, and Development.

As the Assistant Controller, you will support the VP of Finance & Accounting through oversight of the complex accounting and reporting duties of BRIDGE’s corporate entities. You will oversee accounting, tax, and financial reporting functions. This includes the preparation of monthly reporting to the Senior Leadership Team in a multiple-legal-entity environment, management of day-to-day accounting functions, management of reserves draw process for properties, preparation and analysis of ad-hoc reporting, and the development of financial and accounting systems and processes. This role will often need to implement new processes and build new financial reports. You will also work closely with the FP&A team to collaborate on budgeting, treasury, and cash flow and financing activity.

Responsibilities and skills include reviewing complex journal entries affecting multiple operating property entities, possessing a strong understanding of multi-entity environments, and understanding consolidation rules. These skills are necessary to ensure the completion of accurate, consistent financial statements while adhering to tight close and reporting deadlines.

Management responsibilities include the oversight of the Corporate Accounting Manager, who has two direct reports, Corporate Senior Accountant, and Corporate Staff Accountant. To be successful in this role, the Corporate Assistant Controller will need strong delegation skills and have a desire to build and maintain a strong team culture.

This position requires advanced technical accounting skills, with a desire to continually show interest in learning and applying changes in the industry to their work. Just as important is the ability to collaborate and communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Knowledge of the affordable housing industry, GAAP accounting, and reporting requirements is desired for this role.

SUPERVISION, LEADERSHIP, AND ANALYSIS

• Oversees the work of the corporate accounting team through strong delegation, leadership, and review
• Builds a team culture based in collaboration, accountability, and performance
• Train and supervise staff including assigning and reviewing work, coordinating staff activities, allocating personnel, and appraising performance
• Develop, lead, and implement recommendations for effective and efficient business processes
• Lead and participate in cross team action groups

FINANCIAL STATEMENT ANALYSIS AND OVERSIGHT

• Work independently to analyze, investigate and explain budget variances
• Independently researches the legal entity structure of new entities in order to correctly review affiliate entries, with high comprehension of consolidation elimination rules
• Interpret and ensure compliance with legal documents such as loan agreements, developer services agreements, guarantees, grants and donation agreements
• Oversees management and reporting of internal lending, including monitoring use of appropriate sources for predevelopment, construction, and portfolio loans
• Prepare monthly analysis reporting related to financial reporting pack, intercompany transactions, reserves, and additional ad hoc reporting as needed
• Concisely present financial information and appropriately research and answer accounting questions to management and committee members, as requested
• Review and approve regular and recurring reconciliations
• Enhance financial reporting to support organization’s long-term objectives and effective decision-making
• Coordinate with multiple accounting teams to design efficient and effective processes for use of internal development working capital
• Prepares and submits detailed audit packages for audited corporate entities
• Assists in responding to open items for annual audits

COMMUNICATION

• Corresponds with internal departments including (development, fundraising, asset management, property management, HR, and other support departments) requiring strong communication skills
• Effectively leads team and cross-departmental meetings
• Leads trainings on various topics for Corporate Finance or other accounting teams
• Develops, leads, and implements recommendations for effective and efficient business processes.

PROPERTY RESERVES

• Oversees property reserve draw process
• Suggests process improvements as needed and collaborates closely with Property Management Accountant and Asset Management

TRAINING AND INDUSTRY KNOWLEDGE

• Possesses strong understanding of consolidation rules and elimination entries
• Demonstrates ability to learn new accounting standards and share with the rest of the team

SPECIALIZED REPORTING AND AD HOC PROJECTS

• Ability to see the big picture and create financial analysis workbooks based on given criteria and provide feedback on the actionable interpretation of the data
• Develops and submits ad hoc reporting as needed
• Performs various projects and analysis as required
• Prepares new reporting documents for VP of Finance, CFO, and other departments

Qualifications

• 5-10 Years of experience in accounting field
• 2 years management experience successfully running and collaborating with a team
• 3-5 years experience reviewing and supervising others’ work/training staff and peers
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or equivalent
• Ability to autonomously handle daily responsibilities and projects with minimal direction.
• Ability to effectively train and coach staff and management level accountant(s).
• Ability to assimilate a variety of information from diverse individuals and make decisions for which a precedent may not exist.
• Ability to improve existing processes and systems.
• Excellent written, oral and presentation skills.
• Excellent computer skills, including MS Office suite and accounting software
• Must be accurate, organized, and highly detail‐oriented with the ability to multi‐task and follow‐through on all projects.
• Ability to work collaboratively with different levels of staff and management.
• Ability to work under pressure and successfully meet deadlines.
• Excellent decision‐making, interpersonal and time management skills.
• Ability to work harmoniously in a multi‐cultural team.

Preferred Qualifications

• CPA and/or MBA
• Experience with Yardi
• Prior affordable housing finance and development experience
• Prior experience in a multi‐entity environment with consolidation entries
• 3+ years of relevant nonprofit or real estate accounting work experience

BRIDGE Housing is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering an inclusive environment for our diverse workforce. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability. Pursuant to applicable state and local regulations, we will consider qualified applicants with arrest records.

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