Controller

Company: Children's Aid
Location: New York
Posted on: March 4, 2025

Job Description:

$165000 - $185000 / yearPosition Summary:The Controller reports directly to the Children's Aid's Deputy Chief Financial Officer (DCFO). Their primary responsibility is overseeing an operating unit of approximately 14 team members in areas of payroll, accounting, treasury, payables and reporting.

• Understand and promote the organization's Mission, Vision, and Core Values to ensure alignment with organizational policies and procedures.
• Ensure an environment of appropriate internal controls and fiscal integrity that supports the effective and efficient operation of CAS programs and administrative functions, in accordance with all applicable legal, regulatory, funder and best-practice standards and requirements.
• Create and model an effective, positive culture for the Fiscal team emphasizing professionalism, clarity, customer service and competence. Provide leadership in strengthening internal communications with staff at all levels throughout the organization; create and promote a positive and supportive work environment.
• Direct all central CAS accounting operations and functions, including accounts payable, cash management, bank reconciliations, journal entries, and monthly, quarterly and year-end financial close activities, ensuring their timely, accurate and efficient completion. Includes maintenance of the general ledger, chart of accounts, bank and other financial accounts.
• Oversee the annual financial audit and other periodic and ad-hoc external audits of CAS books and records and financial performance, and preparation of annual financial statements for CAS and related entities. Includes annual IRS Form 990 and similar State-required filings; cost reports for Medicaid and Foster Care funded services; and audits of retirement plans (defined benefit and defined contribution).
• Prepare periodic and ad-hoc analyses, reports and explanations of financial and accounting matters and concerns for CAS senior and executive management, the CAS Board of Trustees (including the Audit/Insurance and Finance/Investment committees) and other key external parties (government agencies, private funders, financial ratings agencies, lending entities, etc.). Support the DCFO and CFO in engaging the Board of Trustees around issues and trends in financial operating models and delivery.
• Improve efficiency and effectiveness of accounting processes and systems, while maintaining acceptable internal controls and fiscal integrity.
• As a member of the senior CAS Fiscal leadership team, ensure the smooth operation and business process flow amongst central Fiscal business operations (budget, claiming and reimbursement from public and private funders, purchasing and payroll, investments oversight and management, etc.).
• Work closely with program leaders and their staffs, not only to educate them regarding financial and accounting procedures, but also to explore how the finance function can support program operations.
• Manage and supervise a central Fiscal accounting team of # staff members, ensuring proper segregation of duties as well as efficient and effective operations through delegation of responsibilities. Leverage strengths and optimize staff roles and responsibilities, evaluate organizational structure, evaluate performance, implement professional growth opportunities, mentor and coach staff, and determine levels of authority and decision-making protocols for the department.
• Set annual goals and objectives for the department and develop measurement tools to monitor progress.
• Develop communications materials about financial policies, administrative procedures, calendars, financial health of the organization, and role of the department, etc., for internal and external use. Ensure fiscal and accounting policies and procedure manuals and materials are maintained in a timely, accurate and comprehensive manner.
• Complete periodic and ad-hoc financial and accounting research, analysis and reporting projects in a timely and accurate manner, providing relevant information and recommendations for senior and executive CAS management and other external parties as needed.
• Serve on committees, task forces and special projects as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.Minimum Qualifications:
  • Possession of an academic degree (Master's level preferred) from an accredited educational institution in Accounting, Finance or Business Administration and ten years of progressively responsible professional accounting and/or financial management experience, including supervision of multiple accounting/financial functions and staff. Minimum of five years of experience in accounting or finance in not-for-profit sector. Certification as Certified Public Accountant (CPA) preferred but not required.
  • Proven ability to analyze and interpret fiscal and accounting data and to prepare appropriate statements; establish and maintain a general ledger and chart of accounts for a large not-for-profit organization; and develop and maintain accounting and fiscal operations policies and procedures.
  • Demonstrated experience in business process improvement involving information technology solutions and changes to accounting and fiscal systems and practices; and in staff training and development.
  • Excellent communication skills (verbal and written), work ethic, and professionalism in engagement with superiors, peers and subordinate staff within CAS; and necessary external entities such as CAS Trustees, public and private funders, auditors, regulators and oversight agencies.
  • Possessing personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and unwavering commitment to the CAS mission; a proactive, hands-on strategic thinker who will own, in partnership with the CFO, the responsibility for finance. Resourceful, creative, and possessing an ability to "hit the ground running" and operate with minimal supervision.
  • Leadership ability to work closely with other CAS central Fiscal units and program and administrative units across CAS in order to ensure efficient and effective operations overall, in line with the overarching mission and goals of CAS.
  • Commitment to recruiting, mentoring, training, and retaining a diverse team and demonstrated ability to work effectively in a complicated work environment with a diverse constituency.
  • Thorough knowledge of current accounting and financial reporting methods and procedures, including complex financial transactions; expertise and experience with Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) and Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB) rules and standards; and external and internal audit practice and standards.
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Keywords: Children's Aid, New York , Controller, Accounting, Auditing , New York, New York