Controller

Job Summary

Alys Beach is seeking an exceptional Controller to lead accounting and financial reporting across a diverse collection of businesses, including residential construction, real estate development, resort hospitality, vacation rentals, commercial retail and leasing, and related operations.

Reporting directly to the Chief Financial Officer, the Controller will lead the accounting organization, strengthen financial reporting and internal controls, develop talented professionals, and help shape the future of Finance at Alys Beach.

We're looking for someone who loves accounting, understands how businesses operate, and brings exceptional technical ability, intellectual curiosity, and a genuine enthusiasm for doing things better.

Strong accounting leadership experience in either construction and development or hospitality and resort operations is highly valued. We recognize that exceptional professionals may have developed their expertise in different industries. What matters is the ability, initiative, and commitment to master the full breadth of our businesses.

Equally important is a forward-looking mindset toward technology. We want a leader who is excited about the possibilities of artificial intelligence, automation, modern data platforms, and emerging tools to improve how accounting and Finance operate.

This is a hands-on leadership opportunity for someone who enjoys solving problems, developing people, challenging conventional approaches, and making a meaningful impact.

Job Responsibilities

Accounting Leadership & Financial Reporting

• Lead the accounting organization across multiple entities, operating businesses, and profit centers.
• Oversee general ledger accounting, reconciliations, monthly and annual close, financial reporting, and accounting policies.
• Meet or exceed corporate reporting deadlines while maintaining strong financial controls and GAAP compliance.
• Coordinate corporate reporting, consolidation support, intercompany accounting, audits, and external requirements.
• Develop accounting personnel through coaching, cross-training, accountability, and succession planning.
• Partner with the CFO and operating leadership to improve financial transparency, decision-making, and profitability.

Construction & Real Estate Development

• Oversee accounting for residential construction, including company-built homes and contracted custom homes.
• Ensure accurate job costing, work-in-progress reporting, cost-to-complete estimates, revenue recognition, and project margin analysis.
• Oversee development accounting, including land costs, capitalization, common cost allocations, interest capitalization, and impairment considerations.
• Partner with construction and development leadership to strengthen forecasting, purchasing controls, project cost management, and profitability.
• Identify financial risks and recommend corrective action.

Candidates without direct construction and development experience must demonstrate the technical accounting foundation and intellectual curiosity necessary to develop expertise in these disciplines.

Hospitality, Resort & Commercial Operations

• Oversee accounting and reporting for resort hospitality, amenities, vacation rentals, retail, and commercial leasing.
• Strengthen financial reporting across individual profit centers, including revenue, labor costs, operating expenses, and profitability.
• Ensure accounting for hospitality revenue, owner transactions, applicable taxes, commercial leases, and tenant receivables.
• Partner with operational leaders to understand business performance, evaluate opportunities, and improve financial outcomes.

Candidates whose experience is primarily in construction and development must demonstrate the ability and commitment to develop expertise in these operating businesses.

Job Responsibilities (Continued)

Technology, AI & Financial Transformation

• Help shape an accounting and financial reporting environment that uses existing ERP systems, data platforms, automation, and technologies.
• Identify opportunities to apply AI and automation to reconciliations, transaction analysis, reporting, forecasting, workflow management, and financial controls.
• Explore ways to connect and improve financial information across systems, including Sage 300, Jonas, SAP, and data platforms such as Snowflake.
• Evaluate opportunities to use AI-enabled tools and agents to reduce repetitive work, improve accuracy, and expand the analytical capacity of the accounting team.
• Collaborate with the CFO, IT, and corporate resources to evaluate and implement improvements.
• Maintain data security, human oversight, auditability, and internal controls when introducing new technology.
• Foster curiosity, continuous learning, and responsible experimentation within Finance.

We are not simply seeking someone experienced in implementing accounting systems. We want someone who can envision how accounting and Finance should work differently in the years ahead.

Financial Planning, Analysis & Business Partnership

• Lead annual budgeting and support forecasting across operating businesses.
• Strengthen financial analysis and management reporting capabilities.
• Translate financial results into actionable insights for business leaders.
• Evaluate financial performance, cost structures, capital investments, and improvement opportunities.
• Partner with the CFO on strategic initiatives and enterprise-wide financial improvements.

Job Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related discipline.
• Significant progressive accounting experience, including demonstrated leadership responsibility as a Controller or in an equivalent position.
• Exceptional technical accounting skills, including GAAP, financial reporting, internal controls, and complex accounting transactions.
• Strong experience in hospitality, resort operations, construction, real estate development, or similarly complex businesses.
• Experience leading accounting teams, budgeting, financial analysis, and multi-entity reporting.
• Demonstrated ability to master unfamiliar accounting disciplines and solve complex financial problems independently.
• Strong business judgment, analytical thinking, communication skills, and operational curiosity.
• Genuine interest in using AI, automation, and modern technology to improve accounting processes and financial decision-making.
• Demonstrated initiative, adaptability, and commitment to continuous learning.

Preferred Qualifications

• CPA strongly preferred.
• Experience with residential construction, real estate development, hospitality, private clubs, vacation rentals, or commercial leasing.
• Experience with Sage 300, Jonas, SAP, Snowflake, or comparable systems.
• Experience improving ERP environments, data integration, financial reporting, or accounting workflows.
• Practical experience applying AI, automation, business intelligence, or advanced analytical tools to Finance.
• Experience within a diversified, privately held organization or subsidiary of a larger corporate parent.

Ideal Leadership Profile

We are particularly interested in someone who:

• Loves accounting: Takes pride in technical excellence and the integrity of financial information.
• Embraces what's possible: Is curious about AI, technology, and better ways of working.
• Thinks independently: Brings ideas, analysis, and recommendations forward without waiting for direction.
• Understands business: Looks beyond financial statements to understand operations and profitability.
• Enjoys people: Builds relationships, develops talent, and contributes positively to the organization.
• Welcomes challenges: Is comfortable learning unfamiliar disciplines and tackling complex problems.
• Takes ownership: Accepts responsibility, follows through, and holds high standards.
• Has personality: Brings energy, confidence, humility, and a sense of enjoyment to the work.

What Success Looks Like in the First Year

• Accurate, timely financial reporting that consistently meets or exceeds corporate deadlines.
• A stronger accounting organization with clear responsibilities, improved controls, and developing talent.
• Meaningful improvements in construction job costing, WIP reporting, and project margin visibility.
• Stronger financial reporting and profitability analysis across hospitality and commercial operations.
• Demonstrated proficiency across the business disciplines outside the Controller's original area of expertise.
• Reduced manual accounting processes and improved use of existing financial systems.
• Practical, controlled applications of AI, automation, or modern data tools that improve productivity, reporting quality, or financial insight.
• A collaborative relationship with the CFO and operational leadership focused on continuous improvement.