Controller

We are looking for an experienced Controller to oversee accounting and financial operations for a private hospitality co and its affiliated homeowner's association in Montecito, California. This position plays a central role in producing reliable financial reporting, maintaining strong internal controls, and supporting leadership with budgeting, forecasting, and long-range planning. The ideal candidate brings hospitality or club accounting expertise, sound judgment, and the ability to lead day-to-day financial activities with accuracy and consistency.

Responsibilities:

• Lead daily accounting operations for both the private club and the homeowner's association, ensuring accurate records and clear financial separation between entities.

• Prepare monthly financial packages, including trial balances, income statements, balance sheets, and fund activity reports for leadership review.

• Reconcile bank accounts, subledgers, receivables, payables, and fixed asset schedules to support timely and accurate month-end close processes.

• Oversee member billing, account statements, and collection follow-up in alignment with established club policies and service standards.

• Maintain compliance with applicable accounting standards, payroll regulations, internal control practices, and California homeowners' association reserve funding requirements.

• Partner with the Director of Finance, General Manager, and department leaders to analyze budget-to-actual performance, investigate variances, and recommend corrective action.

• Coordinate audit preparation and serve as the primary contact for external auditors and accounting partners during annual financial reviews for both entities.

• Administer and review bi-monthly payroll processing, helping ensure accurate pay practices and compliance with federal and state labor requirements.

• Supervise, coach, and evaluate accounting staff while promoting consistent procedures, accountability, and strong service support across departments.

• Monitor inventories and insurance-related financial records for club assets, helping preserve documentation accuracy and operational control.

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 5 to 7 years of progressive accounting experience, including at least 2 years in a senior-level accounting or Controller role within a private club, resort, or luxury hospitality environment.
• Strong background in general ledger management, account reconciliation, bank reconciliations, journal entries, month-end close, and year-end audit support.
• Experience with fund accounting and financial oversight for a homeowners association governed under the California Davis-Stirling Act is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, develop, and mentor a small accounting team in a hands-on operating environment.
• Advanced Excel skills and proven ability to perform variance analysis, account analysis, and financial forecasting with a high level of accuracy.
• Familiarity with club and hospitality accounting platforms such as ClubEssentials and payroll or HR systems such as Paycom is highly desirable.
• CPA or Certified Hospitality Accounting Executive designation is preferred but not required.