Financial Controller - Private Real Estate

About Lord Abbett

Founded in 1929, Lord Abbett is an independent firm with a singular focus on the management of money. Over the course of our history, we’ve earned a sterling reputation for our leadership, influence, and innovation in the asset management industry. Today, our independent perspective, our commitment to active management, and our intelligent product design continue to make us relevant to individual and institutional investors.

From the very beginning, we’ve recognized that our people are our greatest asset. As an investment-led, investor-focused firm, we value intellectual curiosity, teamwork, and collaboration across the organization.

We’re looking for people with a keen interest in working for a trusted leader in the asset management industry, a desire to expand their knowledge, and a passion for delivering a client experience that exceeds expectations.

Now that you know our history, are you ready to be part of our future?

Job Overview: The Financial Controller, Private Real Estate will lead the accounting and financial operations supporting Lord Abbett’s Private Real Estate business, with an initial focus on single family Build-to-Sell (BTS) and Acquire-Renovate-Sell (ARS) residential investments with the possibility to grow and expand into broader single and multi-family real estate opportunities that may present themselves in Lord Abbett’s growing alternatives investment capability.

This individual will be responsible for accurate financial reporting, strong internal controls, and scalable processes that support development, renovation, and disposition workflows.

This role will be based in our Jersey City, New Jersey location.

• Lead all property-level and platform-level accounting, ensuring complete, accurate, GAAP-compliant financial reporting and audit readiness.
• Manage the monthly and quarterly close process, including financial statements, management reporting, and variance analyses.
• Develop and implement accounting frameworks, policies, controls, and procedures tailored to residential development and Build-to-Sell operations.
• Oversee project cost management, including job costing, construction draws, vendor payments, change orders, contingency tracking, and lender reporting.
• Direct cash-flow forecasting, sources and uses, capital calls, cash management, and lender coordination.
• Build and maintain budgeting and forecasting models, including project-level cash flows, margins, KPIs, and performance metrics.
• Build, lead, and scale the real estate accounting function, including hiring, developing, and overseeing internal accounting staff, in collaboration with senior leadership.
• Implement and manage accounting and operational systems to support scaling of the platform.
• Provide financial insights to support underwriting, acquisitions, development planning, renovation or construction scope, and disposition strategies.
• Coordinate closely with third-party administrators and service providers to ensure timely, accurate reporting and operational consistency.
• Oversee expense allocation methodologies across projects, entities, and structures, ensuring consistency, transparency, and alignment with partnership agreements and investor expectations.
• Provide oversight and guidance for third-party appraisal and valuation processes, including coordination, review, and integration of valuation results into financial reporting.
• Ensure compliance with GAAP, tax requirements, partnership agreements, and lender covenants for projects and entities.
• Partner and collaborate cross-functionally with Investment, Development, Asset Management, Operations, and Legal teams to ensure financial integrity and informed decision-making.
• Support audits, tax filings, and regulatory compliance for properties, partnerships, and corporate entities.
• Build new processes, documentation, and best practices to support a growing Private Real Estate platform.

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field; CPA strongly preferred.
• 8–15 years of experience in real estate fund accounting, controllership, audit, or financial reporting, ideally within private real estate, private equity,…