Controller (US Vacation Rentals)

As a Controller at Howard, you will be responsible for the financial integrity of a portfolio of Vacation Rental clients. You will bridge the gap between day-to-day bookkeeping and executive-level financial strategy. This role requires a professional who deeply understands the unique accounting challenges of the Short-Term Rental (STR) industry, including trust accounting, owner statements, and merchant processing reconciliations.

Key Responsibilities

• Financial Oversight: Manage the full month-end close process for multiple STR clients, ensuring Profit & Loss statements and Balance Sheets are accurate and ready for leadership review.
• Trust Accounting & Owner Statements: Oversee the reconciliation of guest payments, security deposits, and cleaning fees. Ensure owner statements are generated accurately and distributions are processed on time.
• KPI Analysis: Track and report on industry-specific metrics such as RevPAR (Revenue Per Available Room), ADR (Average Daily Rate), and Occupancy rates to provide actionable insights to clients.
• Audit & Compliance: Review the work performed by staff accountants and bookkeepers, ensuring all entries align with US GAAP and client-specific Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• System Integration: Manage data flow between Property Management Systems (PMS) like Guesty, Hostaway, or Streamline and accounting platforms (QuickBooks Online/NetSuite).
• Client Communication: Serve as the primary point of contact for financial inquiries, explaining variances and providing clarity on financial performance during monthly reviews.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Industry Experience (MANDATORY): At least 4+ years of direct experience as an Accountant or Senior Accountant specifically within the US Vacation Rental / Short-Term Rental (STR) industry.
• Accounting Foundation: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance. A solid understanding of US GAAP is required.
• Technical Stack: Advanced proficiency in QuickBooks Online and experience with at least one PMS (e.g., Guesty, Hostaway, Streamline, Track).
• Analytical Skills: Expert-level Excel skills (VLOOKUPs, Pivot Tables, data cleaning) for reconciling complex reservation reports.
• English Proficiency: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills (C1/C2 level) for direct client interaction.
• Growth Mindset: Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and adapt to new technologies and client workflows quickly.

What We Offer

• Competitive Compensation: Fixed monthly payment in US Dollars.
• Performance Incentives: Quarterly bonuses based on performance and quality metrics.
• Career Path: Bi-annual reviews (July & December) with opportunities to transition into a Senior Controller or Vertical Lead role.
• Flexibility: 100% remote work with a supportive global culture.
• Time Off: 10 paid national holidays per year and unlimited PTO after 6 months of tenure.