Accounting Manager / Controller

Remote, South Africa · US Eastern Hours (9:00–17:00 ET) · Full-time · Reports to the CFO

The opportunity

We are a privately held U.S.-based real estate company operating on US Eastern hours. Our platform spans real estate development and ownership, investment funds, and property management, organized across many legal entities.

We are looking for an experienced accountant based in South Africa to own our day-to-day accounting function. You will work remotely during US Eastern business hours and directly with our CFO, with no layers between you and the people making decisions.

This role exists because our multi-entity structure has outgrown ad hoc support. We need one owner for the monthly close, the accounting operation, and the recurring reporting that owners, lenders, and investors rely on.

What you will own

Own the close. You make sure the books are accurate, the reconciliations are complete, and the monthly financial statements are delivered on time.

You run the monthly close across multiple entities and prepare financial statements for CFO review.
You complete bank, debt, and intercompany reconciliations.
You keep the close calendar and tell the CFO early when something will slip.

Own the accounting operation. You handle the mechanics that keep the organization running.

You route and code invoices, set up vendors, and answer payment status questions.
You prepare and queue payments for CFO review. The CFO approves and releases all payments.
You record intercompany activity and maintain debt and loan schedules.
You prepare payroll for CFO approval.
You perform property-level accounting for the properties we manage.
You coordinate day to day with our US-based outside accounting and tax providers.

Own the recurring reporting. You produce the reports that owners, lenders, and investors rely on, and you make them faster and more useful over time.

You prepare monthly owner reporting packages for managed properties.
You prepare lender compliance reporting and investor compliance reporting for our funds.
You maintain the cash forecast and the loan portfolio tracking.
You assemble audit support and tax workpapers for our outside CPAs.

How we work

A small team with direct access. You report to the CFO and work alongside the principals. There are no layers between you and the decisions.
A remote team on US Eastern hours. This is a fully remote role based in South Africa. You will work US Eastern business hours, 9:00 to 17:00 ET, which is 15:00 to 23:00 SAST for most of the year and 16:00 to 00:00 SAST from early November to mid-March, when US clocks fall back. You will be in touch with the CFO daily by video and messaging, and you will be trusted to manage your own work between conversations.
Fully electronic. Our accounting, approvals, and records are digital. There is very little paper.
AI as an everyday tool. We use AI and automation to take routine work off our plates, and we expect that to grow. You do not need to be an expert, but you should be comfortable using AI in your daily work, curious about where it can save time, and disciplined about verifying its output before it reaches the books.

Is this the right role for you?

You will probably enjoy this role if you like building order where processes are still taking shape. You want more responsibility, not a narrowly defined job. You are comfortable working across many entities and several lines of business. You would rather improve a process than point out that it is imperfect. You want regular exposure to the CFO and ownership.

This role may not be a fit if you want a highly standardized accounting department where every process is already documented, every system is fully integrated, and your responsibilities rarely extend beyond your job description. It may also not be a fit if a schedule that runs into your evening is not sustainable for you over the long term.

What you bring

You have 5+ years of progressive accounting experience.
You hold a BCom Accounting, BAcc, or equivalent degree. A CTA or postgraduate diploma in accounting is a plus.
You hold the CA(SA) designation as a SAICA member, which we prefer. We will also consider candidates who have completed SAICA training (articles) or who hold the SAIPA Professional Accountant (SA) designation.
You have multi-entity real estate accounting experience, including intercompany activity.
You have property management accounting experience, including owner reporting.
You know US GAAP, or you have strong IFRS experience and are ready to apply US GAAP. Experience supporting US clients, such as through an outsourcing or offshore accounting firm, is a strong plus.
You are proficient in QuickBooks Online.
Experience with Bill.com or a similar payables platform is a plus.
You work independently, stay organized, and communicate clearly in writing and on video calls.
You are comfortable using AI tools in your daily work.
You have reliable broadband, backup power (such as an inverter or UPS), and a backup internet connection, so that you can work your full schedule during load shedding or outages.

The details

Title: Accounting Manager / Controller (flexible based on candidate and abilities).
Reports to: Chief Financial Officer.
Location: Remote, based in South Africa.
Schedule: Full-time, US Eastern business hours (9:00 to 17:00 ET).
Engagement structure: To be confirmed with the selected candidate.
Compensation: Competitive, based on experience and qualifications.

Accounting Manager / Controller (CA) - 21664