Senior Controller – Short Term Rental Finance

About the role

Howard Financial is seeking a Senior Controller to own the financial reporting for its fast‑growing Short Term Rental (STR) vertical. You will be the primary financial steward for a portfolio of sophisticated STR clients, ensuring GAAP‑compliant, investor‑ready reporting while leading a remote accounting team.

Key responsibilities

• Lead end‑to‑end financial reporting for the STR vertical, guaranteeing US GAAP compliance and high‑precision balance sheets.
• Manage and mentor a remote team of Senior Accountants, Accountants, and Bookkeepers, fostering accountability and precision.
• Oversee complex trust accounting structures, reconciling owner funds and ensuring strict separation of client monies.
• Drive a tight month‑end close process, resolving discrepancies between PMS data (Streamline, Guesty, Track) and general ledgers.
• Act as a strategic financial advisor to client leadership, explaining P&L variances, cash‑flow projections, and operational health.
• Standardize workflows, implement internal controls, and scale processes as the portfolio expands from 100 to 1,000+ properties.
• Coordinate external audits and ensure all tax, sales‑tax, and regulatory filings are supported by clean documentation.

Required profile

• 7–10+ years of accounting/finance experience, including at least 3 years in a Controller or senior leadership role.
• Deep expertise in Short Term Rentals, Property Management, or Hospitality.
• Comprehensive knowledge of US GAAP and multi‑entity consolidations.
• Proven experience with trust accounting and managing owner funds.
• Strong client‑facing professionalism, comfortable presenting to CEOs and PE investors.

Required skills

• QuickBooks Online
• NetSuite
• Sage Intacct
• US GAAP
• Trust accounting