Development Controller
Join the Discovery family, where quality and service are at the heart of everything we do! This role will be located at one of Discovery Land Company's locations : Driftwood Golf and Ranch Club, set outside of Austin, TX. Driftwood Golf and Ranch Club is seeking a Development Controller to join the Finance and Accounting Department. The Development Controller will direct all accounting affairs for the Driftwood project while leading a hands on accounting team. This role combines strategic development accounting leadership with full cycle operational accounting (month end close, project / job cost, AP, and cash management). The leader will own close, reporting, audits / tax, budgeting / forecasting, process excellence, and systems (Sage Intacct, Timberline, Adaptive Planning, FloQast), while mentoring staff and partnering cross functionally with Development, Construction, Club Operations, Sales / Marketing, and Corporate. In this role, you will be part of creating the Discovery Land Company experience for our members and fellow employees.
Financial Close, Reporting & Compliance
- Lead the month-end close for all entities (journal entries, real estate closings, payroll entries, intercompany, allocations, and GL reviews).
- Prepare internal financial management reports, monthly budget vs. actual analyses, and monthly sales reports; present insights to project leadership and ownership.
- Maintain complete and timely balance sheet reconciliations and subsidiary ledgers; ensure data integrity across entities.
- Prepare audit workpapers; coordinate annual financial audits; ensure GAAP / FASB / IFRS alignment as applicable.
- Prepare tax workpapers and coordinate with external tax preparers on returns and quarterly estimates.
Project, Job Cost & Club Operations
Direct job cost accounting, project coding / work breakdown, and WIP reporting; oversee construction draw packages and milestone tracking / change orders.Maintain commission and management fee schedules; ensure accuracy of project business plan assumptions in financial systems.Cash, AP & Controls
Manage the project cash position; prepare weekly cash flow forecasts and cash balance summaries; optimize disbursement timing.Oversee AP and vendor management (TimberScan / Intacct flow), three-way match, approval routing, and spend controls.Administer required insurance programs and compliance documentation in partnership with Risk / Legal.Budgeting, Forecasting & Analytics
Support the VP, Finance through annual budgeting and rolling reforecasts; partner with budget owners to build monthly phasing supported by detailed schedules.Perform variance analysis and scenario modeling; translate results into actionable recommendations for schedule, scope, and resource adjustments.Build and maintain dashboards (Excel / Power Query / Power Pivot) and leverage AI-assisted analyses to accelerate insights and quality.Systems Ownership & Process Improvement
Serve as system owner for Timberline and Sage Intacct and key integrations (FloQast; Timberline familiarity a plus).Champion automation and continuous improvement across close, reconciliations, job cost, billing, and reporting; document policies and procedures.Liaise with corporate accounting, IT / business systems, and external stakeholders to ensure scalable, compliant processes.Leadership & Collaboration
Lead and mentor accounting staff; set goals, conduct reviews, and promote a culture of accountability, accuracy, service, and growth.Act as a high-trust partner to Development / Construction leaders, Club GM, Sales & Marketing, and Corporate Finance.Interface with outside agencies, customers / members, vendors, auditors, and bankers as needed.Qualifications
Bachelors degree in Accounting or Finance required; CPA strongly preferred.5+ years managing accounting functions with direct reports; successful track record leading full-cycle month-end close.Real estate development / construction accounting experience preferred; hospitality / club experience a plus.Strong proficiency in Sage Intacct; Timberline familiarity a plus; Adaptive Planning and FloQast exposure preferred.Advanced Excel (Power Query, Power Pivot, complex modeling; VBA a plus) and comfort with AI / automation platforms (e.g., Alteryx, ChatGPT / Co-pilot, RPA).Demonstrated experience with job cost / WIP, construction draws, multi-entity consolidations or JV accounting, and project-based tracking.Exceptional leadership, organization, and communication skills; entrepreneurial mindset with willingness to roll up sleeves.Eagerness to both mentor and be mentored; committed to professional growth within a high-growth environment.Preferred Attributes
Experience in PE-backed or fast-growth settings.Proven success driving system conversions / ERP implementations and integrations (e.g., Procore, Yardi, Intacct).Strong business acumen with ability to communicate financial insights to non-financial stakeholders.Passion for process innovation and measurable efficiency gains; thrives amid ambiguity and shifting priorities.Additional Requirements
Positive, professional; highly customer-oriented and responsive.Ability to work flexible hours including evenings / weekends / holidays based on business needs.Ability to work indoors / outdoors in all weather; stand / walk for long periods; lift / carry up to 50 lbs as needed.Ability to read, write, speak, and understand English.Benefits
Competitive compensationMedical, Dental, and Vision benefits (Full-Time, Year-Round)401(k) contributionPaid Time Off and Paid HolidaysEmployee Meals, Referral Incentives, and Recognition ProgramsProfessional development and upward mobility opportunitiesWork-family culture