Role Description
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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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).
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System Integration:
Manage data flow between Property Management Systems (PMS) like Guesty, Hostaway, or Streamline and accounting platforms (QuickBooks Online/NetSuite).
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Client Communication:
Serve as the primary point of contact for financial inquiries, explaining variances and providing clarity on financial performance during monthly reviews.
Qualifications
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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.
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Accounting Foundation:
Bachelorβs degree in Accounting or Finance. A solid understanding of US GAAP is required.
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Technical Stack:
Advanced proficiency in QuickBooks Online and experience with at least one PMS (e.g., Guesty, Hostaway, Streamline, Track).
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Analytical Skills:
Expert-level Excel skills (VLOOKUPs, Pivot Tables, data cleaning) for reconciling complex reservation reports.
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English Proficiency:
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills (C1/C2 level) for direct client interaction.
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Growth Mindset:
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and adapt to new technologies and client workflows quickly.
Benefits
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Competitive Compensation:
Fixed monthly payment in US Dollars.
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Performance Incentives:
Quarterly bonuses based on performance and quality metrics.
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Career Path:
Bi-annual reviews (July & December) with opportunities to transition into a Senior Controller or Vertical Lead role.
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Flexibility:
100% remote work with a supportive global culture.
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Time Off:
10 paid national holidays per year and unlimited PTO after 6 months of tenure.