Assistant Controller

About Neighborhood Health Center

Neighborhood Health Center, a nonprofit organization headquartered in Portland, OR, delivers comprehensive healthcare—including primary care, internal medicine, dental services, and more—to underserved communities. Guided by a patient-focused philosophy, the organization prioritizes holistic well-being, appreciating the unique background and needs of each individual. Their collaborative clinical teams partner with patients, families, and local groups to deliver preventive care and ongoing support.

Why Join Us?

• Dedicated to improving healthcare access for underserved populations throughout Portland via medical and dental services.
• Competitive compensation featuring benefits such as 20 PTO days (for full-time roles), 9 paid holidays, medical/dental/vision coverage, quarterly wellness reimbursements, a generous 401k with employer match, company-funded disability and life insurance, and access to an Employee Assistance Program.
• Awarded "Top Workplace" honors between 2020 and 2025, reflecting a strong organizational culture.

About the Role

As the Assistant Controller, you play a pivotal role in maintaining the organization’s financial accuracy, regulatory compliance, and operational effectiveness. Your primary duties span day-to-day accounting leadership, financial reporting aligned with GAAP, audit support, and continual improvement of internal controls. You help ensure adherence to HRSA and Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200) standards while providing leadership with timely, actionable financial data.

Key Responsibilities

• Direct all general ledger activities, journal entries, reconciliations, and month-end closing operations.
• Administer the entire payroll lifecycle, validating compliance with all relevant laws and accuracy of payroll records, tax withholdings, and deductions.
• Guarantee precise entries for revenue, grants, payroll, benefits, and departmental allocations.
• Analyze and resolve balance sheet variances and reconciling items promptly.
• Review and contribute to monthly and annual financial statements.
• Support management reporting, dashboard development, and variance analysis efforts.
• Assure full compliance with GAAP and specialized healthcare accounting mandates.
• Manage HRSA grant accounting processes, including allowable cost documentation and reporting.
• Monitor compliance with Uniform Guidance and internal finance protocols.
• Assist in assembling Uniform Data System (UDS) financial submissions.
• Oversee Medicare/Medicaid cost reports and ensure accurate related reconciliations.
• Serve as a key contact during annual financial and single audits, along with HRSA inspections.
• Lead the annual 401(k) audit and preparation process, working with external partners to finalize documentation and statements.
• Collaborate with various departments to compile annual filings and assist in reviewing IRS Form 990 ahead of board consideration.
• Maintain thorough documentation to support internal audits and control readiness.
• Help design and strengthen internal financial controls and suggest process optimizations.
• Promote system enhancements and drive automation where possible.
• Supervise, coach, and provide performance feedback to assigned accounting team members.
• Maintain clear, timely communication with finance leadership regarding month-end and project progress.
• Partner across HR, Operations, Grants, and Clinical teams on finance-related activities.
• Draft, refine, and implement financial policies and procedure documentation.
• Step in to support or substitute the Director of Finance as necessary.
• Carry out additional assigned duties as they arise.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance required.
• Minimum of five years’ progressive accounting experience, with an edge for backgrounds in healthcare or nonprofit settings.
• Advanced understanding of GAAP and financial reporting processes.
• Demonstrated experience supporting audits and month-end/year-end closing cycles.
• Management/supervisory experience of at least three years is mandatory.
• CPA certification or eligibility is preferred, but not required.
• Experience within Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), nonprofit healthcare, or grant-focused environments is a plus.
• Keen understanding of HRSA compliance, UDS, Medicare/Medicaid cost reports is highly valued.
• Experience using healthcare EHR and integrated payroll/finance systems is advantageous.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Easily communicates complex finance matters to colleagues without financial expertise.
• Upholds strict confidentiality regarding sensitive financial and personnel materials.
• Competently analyzes multifaceted financial and grant data.
• Intermediate to advanced skills with ERP systems and Microsoft Excel.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication abilities.
• Capable of problem definition, data collection, logical fact identification, and conclusion development.
• Strong problem-solving, critical-thinking, and decision-making capabilities.

Working Conditions

• Some local travel is necessary; reliable transportation is required.
• Frequent time spent at a desk or computer, with standard office mobility and occasional lifting up to 50 pounds.
• Work environment is generally moderate in noise levels.

Employment Conditions

Any employment offer is contingent on successful completion of reference and background checks, drug screening, tuberculosis screening, and any relevant credentialing or licensing needed for the role.