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Max, Controller at Clear Sky Capital: Advize Career Interview
A career in accounting offers diverse and exciting opportunities, as evidenced by Max's journey.
The path began with an externship at Ernst and Young, leading to a fulfilling career encompassing cost and revenue accounting, property and fund accounting, and ultimately, the challenging yet rewarding role of Controller at Clear Sky Capital.
This role involves building a high-functioning team, managing month-end close cycles, and providing crucial financial insights.
Success in this field demands a unique blend of big-picture thinking and attention to detail, coupled with strong prioritization skills and a willingness to learn and ask questions.
The real estate industry, with its varied asset classes and career paths, adds to the dynamism of the profession, providing transferable skills valuable both professionally and personally.
Entry-level opportunities abound in Big Four accounting firms and corporate accounting groups, offering a solid foundation for career advancement.
Proactive networking and a strong understanding of core accounting principles are key to establishing a successful career trajectory, as demonstrated by Max's experience.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Max Kazimierek
Controller
Clear Sky Capital
University of Arizona 2013
N/A
Accounting
Real Estate
Finance
Scholarship Recipient, Took Out Loans
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Career Path Of A Controller At Clear Sky Capital
Max's career journey began with "an externship with Ernst and Young," followed by a full-time role there, but a shift to DriveTime allowed exploration of cost and revenue accounting. Subsequent roles at Urban Communities and Clear Sky Capital provided experience in property and fund accounting, showcasing a diverse career path built on progressively challenging experiences.
Main Responsibilities of a Controller at Clear Sky Capital
At Clear Sky Capital, the Controller's main responsibilities involve "developing a process and building a highly functioning accounting team" in a startup environment, encompassing everything from month-end close cycles and ERP system management to collaborating with a third-party for fund reporting and providing key financial insights to the operations team for strategic decision-making. This includes working closely with "our operations team to be able to provide them reporting and relevant information that they need."
A Day in the Life of a Controller at Clear Sky Capital
A Controller's day at Clear Sky Capital is "a little bit of anything," varying from month-end close activities like "reviewing financial statements and balance sheet reconciliations" early in the month to financial reporting for investors, leadership, and lenders throughout the month, ensuring compliance with debt covenants. This variety makes the role both "interesting and challenging."
Most Important Skills for a Controller at Clear Sky Capital
Max, a Controller at Clear Sky Capital, emphasizes the necessity of "zoom[ing] out and see[ing] the big picture" while simultaneously possessing the ability to "drill into the details," a crucial skill in a startup environment. This dual perspective, coupled with the capacity to empower the team with necessary skills and tools, proves essential for effective performance in the role.
Favorite Parts of Being a Controller at Clear Sky Capital
Max, a Controller at Clear Sky Capital, finds the most rewarding aspect of the position to be "solving problems," particularly the challenges inherent in a startup environment. This constant need for improvement, "always having room to grow," aligns with Max's career trajectory, driven by a desire for ongoing intellectual stimulation and professional development.
Biggest Challenges Faced by a Controller at Clear Sky Capital
Max, a Controller at Clear Sky Capital, identifies prioritizing tasks as the biggest challenge in their role, describing the constant influx of work as "a million things to do." This requires not only personal prioritization but also coordinating priorities with the team, balancing immediate needs with long-term goals to manage "that laundry list of things."
Favorite Parts of Working in the Real Estate Industry as a Controller
Max, a Controller at Clear Sky Capital, finds the real estate industry "fun" due to its diverse asset classes—from multi-family apartments to manufactured housing—and varied career paths. This knowledge is transferable, allowing application of professional learnings to personal financial decisions, such as "buying a home" or considering the management of a smaller property.
What Type Of Person Thrives In Accounting, According To A Controller At Clear Sky Capital
Max, a Controller at Clear Sky Capital, highlights critical thinking, "thinking through the why," and inquisitiveness as crucial skills for success in the accounting industry, especially within a startup environment. Ethical conduct and the willingness to be vulnerable, admitting "I don't understand," are also key attributes for thriving, demonstrating a commitment to accuracy and continuous learning.
What a Controller at Clear Sky Capital Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the Real Estate Industry
Max, a Controller at Clear Sky Capital, wishes they had understood the diverse range of asset classes within real estate before entering the industry, noting "so many different routes," and the importance of considering "all the different parties that you'd interact with," beyond just the accounting team, for a good overall fit.
Entry-Level Positions For Aspiring Controllers
Max, a Controller at Clear Sky Capital, highlights two main entry-level paths for undergraduate students interested in the field: "Big Four" accounting firms, which offer rigorous training and "a lot of opportunities," and direct entry into corporate accounting groups or smaller CPA firms. Max's own career trajectory through a Big Four firm emphasizes their value as a respected stepping stone for career advancement, stating that it has "helped push my career forward."
Significant Career Lesson From a Controller at Clear Sky Capital
Max, a Controller at Clear Sky Capital, learned early in their career at EY that "if you don't know something, ask," because the assumption is otherwise that you do; this vulnerability allowed them to learn from others and, in turn, mentor others later. This approach of acknowledging a lack of knowledge has been instrumental in their career development.
College Experiences That Helped A Controller At Clear Sky Capital Succeed
Max's accounting career success stemmed from proactive networking, "sticking [his] neck out there" by joining the Accounting Student Association and meeting firms, laying a strong foundation through dedicated study and understanding core concepts. This groundwork, coupled with practical application of classroom knowledge, minimized the shock of transitioning to the professional world.
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