Welcome page Returning Candidate? Log back in! Expense Controller - Atlanta, GA ID 2026-14382 Category Finance Position Type Regular Full-Time Group Corporate Group  

At Cortland, we operate with a forward-thinking approach that challenges conventional norms and actively seeks insights beyond traditional industry boundaries. As a recognized leader in the multifamily sector, our focus on performance, innovation, and disciplined execution continues to drive strong growth and market leadership. We are committed to building a best-in-class organization by empowering top talent with the resources, autonomy, and support needed to deliver results and advance their careers in a high-performance environment.

Role Overview

As the Expense Controller, you will lead the organization’s approach to managing all non‑property operating expenses with clarity, discipline, and true ownership. You will ensure every major expense category has a defined owner, an approved budget, and ongoing accountability, while reducing unmanaged or low‑value spend and strengthening transparency across corporate and shared‑service costs. Serving as the central authority for corporate, G&A, and shared‑service expenses, you will unify FP&A, Procurement, and Corporate Accounting under a single governance model—aligning planning, sourcing, spending, and reporting to improve visibility and enhance the company’s overall cost structure. Your impact will be measured through complete expense ownership coverage, reductions in unbudgeted spend, improved forecast accuracy, and delivering tangible, measurable cost savings.

Expense Governance & Ownership

· Build and maintain a clear enterprise-wide expense governance framework.

· Define major expense categories, assign owners, and set decision rights and approval paths.

· Align cross functional teams on expectations, standards, and reporting to ensure consistency across departments.

Corporate & Shared Expense Oversight

· Oversee corporate and shared-service spend areas (G&A, IT, payroll-related costs, marketing, professional services, and more).

· Review and validate spend requests, renewals, and contracts to ensure they align with business needs and budgets.

· Partner with leaders to understand cost drivers, resource needs, and run rate impacts.

· Own and refine the T&E policy and identify opportunities to streamline duplicative tools and subscriptions.

Budgeting, Forecasting & FP&A Partnership

· Align expense owners with annual budgets, forecasts, and financial plans.

· Provide insights to FP&A on trends, commitments, and risks.

· Monitor budget vs. actuals, analyze variances, and drive timely corrective actions.

· Equip expense owners with tools and guidance to build accurate forecasts.

Procurement & Vendor Management

· Partner with Procurement on vendor consolidation, contract negotiations, and sourcing alignment.

· Ensure spend aligns with approved contracts and vendor performance expectations.

· Strengthen processes for RFPs, renewals, and vendor selections.

· Maintain visibility into total cost of ownership for major vendor relationships.

Accounting Alignment & Controls

· Ensure accurate classification, accruals, and adherence to accounting standards.

· Reduce post-close adjustments through improved upstream documentation and accuracy.

· Partner with Accounting on coding, timing, and reconciliation practices.

· Support consistent expense metrics and resolve recurring misclassification issues.

Reporting & Optimization

· Create executive-ready dashboards and reporting that highlight key trends and opportunities.

· Lead or support cost optimization initiatives and track financial impact.

· Provide insights that inform vendor decisions, resource allocation, and demand management.

· Maintain a regular cadence of executive-level expense reviews.

Qualifications

· Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business (MBA/CPA preferred)

· 8+ years experience in finance, operations, or expense management; Real estate experience preferred

· Strong understanding of expense structures, budgeting, forecasting, cost controls, and financial governance

· Working knowledge of GAAP, expense classification, accruals, and financial control frameworks

· Experience partnering cross‑functionally with FP&A, Procurement, Accounting, and business leaders

· Proven ability to review, challenge, and influence spending decisions at all levels of the organization

· Proficiency with ERP systems, budgeting tools, and financial reporting platforms

· Advanced Excel and strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret complex spend data

· Skilled communicator who can present clearly to executives and drive alignment across teams

· Demonstrated ability to build structure, create consistency, and establish effective processes

· Comfortable navigating ambiguity and driving clarity, accountability, and discipline

About Cortland

Founded in 2005, Cortland is an international, vertically integrated multifamily real estate investment, development, and management firm with a resident-centric approach to living experiences. Recognized as one of the top 10 multifamily owners and operators in the US, Cortland combines in-house design, construction, and operations to deliver value and innovation across its portfolio.

 

Join us as we reimagine apartment living and drive outsized returns through purpose, performance, and people.

 

 

Cortland is an equal opportunity employer, and we’re proud to support and celebrate diversity in the workplace. We are committed to equal consideration for all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. If you have a disability and need an accommodation or assistance with the application process and/or using our website, please email Careers@cortland.com.

 

Cortland is a drug-free workplace.

 

Cortland participates in e-verify to verify the employment status of

all persons hired to work in the United States.

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