Controller

About the Role

The Girls Academy is currently seeking a seasoned Controller to guide the financial management during a critical phase of organizational expansion. Reporting directly to the Commissioner, this key leadership role involves managing accounting, financial reporting, budgeting, internal controls, coordinating audits, and financial planning. The ideal candidate will contribute to building a robust finance function supporting a large-scale nonprofit with national presence and multi-million-dollar operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide leadership across the finance and accounting function of the organization.
• Act as the main financial consultant to the Commissioner.
• Prepare comprehensive monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports for executive and board review.
• Monitor the organization's financial health including cash flow and key financial indicators.
• Support strategic, long-term financial planning initiatives aligned with growth goals.
• Lead the process for annual budget creation and ongoing financial forecasting and variance analysis.
• Work in partnership with department heads on budget and financial decision-making.
• Provide sound financial advice to organizational leadership.
• Oversee monthly and year-end financial close operations maintaining the general ledger and chart of accounts.
• Review financial reconciliations, journal entries, and reports for correctness.
• Ensure compliance with GAAP standards and organizational policies.
• Serve as liaison with external auditors and manage the annual independent audit process.
• Coordinate preparation of annual Form 990 in collaboration with external advisors.
• Maintain and enhance internal control frameworks, accounting policies, and financial procedures.
• Support reporting activities for Finance Committee and Board meetings.
• Manage financial systems, including accounting software and reporting tools.
• Document and optimize financial workflows and processes for efficiency and stronger controls.
• Identify and implement improvements to reporting and operational systems.
• Lead the phased transition from outsourced accounting providers by coordinating knowledge transfer and system implementations.
• Collaborate with external professionals to ensure seamless financial operations during transition.
• Devise and establish a comprehensive, long-term finance infrastructure for the organization.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance; CPA certification highly preferred.
• At least 7 years of progressively responsible experience in accounting and financial management.
• Experience managing nonprofit or association financial operations is a plus.
• Proven skills in audit management, budgeting, financial reporting, and internal controls.
• Strong familiarity with GAAP and nonprofit financial standards.
• Proficient in QuickBooks and Microsoft Office, especially Excel.
• Exceptional analytical, communication, and organizational skills.

Organizational Context

The Controller will report to the Commissioner, collaborating closely with executive leadership, the Finance Committee, the Executive Committee, and external auditing teams. Oversight includes directing internal or outsourced accounting services, managing transactional processes such as accounts payable and receivable, cash receipts, credit card documentation, and other routine financial functions. External partnerships currently handle payroll, audits, tax filings, and specialized accounting, with the Controller responsible for overseeing these relationships to ensure coordinated and efficient financial management.