Controller - Mortgages

Controller - Mortgage

Location:
Menlo Park, CA (hybrid)

About the Client

Our client is a growing specialty finance company in the Bay Area that provides asset-backed credit solutions to borrowers in the real estate and broader lending ecosystem. They combine disciplined underwriting with a technology-enabled operations model to deliver fast, transparent capital. The environment is lean, collaborative, and built for people who enjoy owning outcomes.

About the Role

The Controller will be the accounting owner for a multi-entity lending platform, with a heavy emphasis on mortgage and loan accounting. You'll lead the monthly close, manage the GL, ensure rigorous control over loan-level data and servicing activity, and produce investor-quality financials. This is a hands-on leadership role that partners closely with Capital Markets, Operations/Servicing, and Executive Management.

Responsibilities

• Own the monthly, quarterly, and year-end close across multiple entities; prepare GAAP financial statements and management reports.
• Lead all accounting for mortgages and loans: originations/fundings, participations, draws, paydowns, extensions, payoffs, charge-offs, and non-accruals.
• Maintain loan subledger integrity; reconcile to the GL and servicing system (interest, principal, fees, escrows/impounds, and advances).
• Calculate and record interest income, origination/servicing/deferred fees, premium/discount accretion, and effective yield; manage amortization schedules.
• Administer allowances/expected credit loss (CECL) methodologies and impairment analyses; monitor risk ratings and collateral valuations.
• Oversee warehouse/credit facilities: borrowing base, covenant compliance, interest and fee accruals, and monthly lender reporting.
• Support whole-loan sales/participations and securitization or SPV structures, including gain/loss recognition and related consolidations/eliminations.
• Design, document, and improve accounting policies, SOX-style internal controls, and close checklists; drive automation with the ERP/servicing stack.
• Manage relationships with external auditors, tax preparers, and key lenders/investors; coordinate audits and tax filings.
• Build and mentor a small accounting team; set priorities, review workpapers, and develop career paths.

Requirements

• 7–12+ years of progressive accounting experience, including recent ownership of mortgage/loan accounting in a lender, mortgage company, credit fund, or specialty finance environment.
• Deep command of GAAP for financial instruments and lending activities (e.g., revenue recognition for interest and fees, CECL/allowances, fair value where applicable).
• Hands-on expertise with loan servicing data flows: escrow/impound accounting, advances, non-accrual, charge-offs, restructurings, and modifications.
• Experience with debt facilities (warehouse/credit lines) and lender reporting; comfort with borrowing-base mechanics and covenant tracking.
• Strong systems aptitude: ERP and loan servicing/subledger reconciliation; advanced Excel (models, pivots, lookups) and data hygiene best practices.
• Prior audit/public accounting foundation (CPA or CPA-track) preferred.
• Excellent judgment, attention to detail, and ability to operate in a fast, entrepreneurial environment.

Benefits & Why Join

• High-ownership role shaping the accounting foundation of a scaled lending platform.
• Direct exposure to executives, capital partners, and strategic transactions.
• Competitive compensation with performance bonus; potential for equity participation.
• Comprehensive health benefits, 401(k) with company support, and generous PTO.
• Hybrid work model in Menlo Park with a culture that values transparency, speed, and continuous improvement.

If you thrive at the intersection of rigorous accounting and real-world lending operations—and you love making the numbers tie at the loan level—this role is for you.