[Remote] Controller / Director of Accounting (Austin,TX)

Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. Homeward is a fast-paced, remote-first real estate startup that creates financial products for homebuyers and sellers. The Controller / Director of Accounting will oversee all accounting operations, ensuring financial reporting integrity, leading a high-performing team, and shaping systems for growth.

Responsibilities

• Own the month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close processes – ensuring they are timely, accurate, and continuously improving in efficiency
• Prepare and review GAAP-compliant financial statements – including balance sheet, P&L, cash flow statement, and all required footnote disclosures
• Deliver clear, insightful financial reporting packages to the CFO, executive team, and external parties on a regular cadence
• Maintain a well-documented close calendar with accountability across the accounting team
• Lead external audit relationships with our Big-4 firm and regional audit partners from planning through final issuance – on time and without significant findings. This includes the Consolidated Company GAAP Audit as well as Mortgage, Title, and 401k audits during the year
• Ensure ongoing compliance with regulatory requirements, lender covenants, and other reporting obligations
• Establish, maintain, and continuously strengthen internal controls and accounting policies; build towards SOX-readiness as the company scales
• Partner with an external tax firm on federal, state, and local tax compliance and planning
• Serve as in-house technical accounting authority, providing guidance on complex areas including revenue recognition (ASC 606), leases (ASC 842), receivables (ASC 310), debt issuance costs (ASC 835), and warrant classification (ASC 815)
• Draft and maintain technical accounting memos and position papers to document judgments and conclusions
• Stay current on new and proposed accounting standards and assess their impact on Homeward’s financial reporting
• Partner closely with FP&A, Business Intelligence, Legal, Growth, Product, and Technology teams on budgeting, forecasting, strategic planning, tool development, and more
• Support cash flow management, banking and treasury functions, and working capital optimization
• Provide accounting and financial due diligence support for potential financing transactions, partnerships, or other strategic initiatives
• Translate complex accounting concepts for non-accounting audiences, enabling better business decisions across the company
• Lead, mentor, and develop an accounting team spanning staff accountants through Assistant Controller – cultivating a culture of excellence, ownership, and continuous learning
• Set clear goals and provide regular, actionable feedback; support career development and retention of top talent
• Build team capacity and structure to support Homeward’s growth, including hiring as needed
• Drive process improvement and automation initiatives to increase the speed, accuracy, and scalability of accounting operations
• Lead or support financial system integrations (NetSuite experience highly valued)
• Document and standardize accounting processes and policies to support a growing, distributed team

Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field; CPA strongly preferred
• 10+ years of progressive accounting experience, with a mix of public accounting and industry experience
• Proven track record leading and developing accounting teams in a high-growth environment
• Deep knowledge of US GAAP, including experience navigating complex technical accounting matters
• Experience managing external audits with Big-4 or equivalent firms
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with exceptional attention to detail and the ability to zoom out to the big picture
• Excellent communicator – able to present financial information clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences
• ERP proficiency; NetSuite experience strongly preferred
• Familiarity with SOX compliance and internal control frameworks
• Experience in real estate, mortgage, fintech, or financial services industries
• Background in private equity-backed or venture-backed companies
• Experience with lender covenant reporting and compliance in a debt-financed business
• Track record of leading or contributing to automation initiatives
• Exposure to cash management in a capital-intensive business

Benefits

• Annual performance bonus eligibility.
• Meaningful equity grant – stock options with real upside potential.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and life insurance coverage – with company contributions towards premiums.
• Meaningful time off – including 20 days of paid vacation, 5 sick days, 12 company holidays, and 2 floating holidays.
• Generous paid parental leave of up to 13 weeks.
• 401(k) with employer contribution match.
• Remote-first work environment (our headquarters are in Austin, TX).
• Collaborative, low-ego team that values intellectual curiosity and continuous improvement.

Company Overview