Controller - Finance, EPSD

East Providence School Department•East Providence, RI

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Accounting Manager/Controller is responsible for the accuracy of the school district's financial systems and internal controls and leads preparation for annual audits. This role demands an experienced professional who takes full ownership of financial reporting, drives audit readiness, and operates with minimal supervision. The ideal candidate is technically proficient, communicates financial information clearly to non-financial audiences, and proactively identifies and resolves issues without prompting.

Requirements

Must be highly detailed and organized.
High comfort level with evolving software, altered standard operating procedures, and dynamic environments
Ability to act and operate independently with minimal daily direction from manager to accomplish objectives.
Ability to work cooperatively and collaboratively with all levels of employees, management, and external agencies to maximize performance creativity, problem solving, and results.
Fully qualified CPA/CMA/MBA
Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible accounting or financial control experience
Demonstrated advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel (pivot tables, complex formulas) and Google Sheets

Nice To Haves

government, municipal, or K-12 education experience strongly preferred

Responsibilities

Oversee period-end and year-end close process.
Prepare and post of closing journal entries and ensure deadlines are met.
Produce timely, accurate, and decision-ready financial reports for the School Committee, Finance Director, or Superintendent.
Manage all general accounting functions independently: Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Payroll, General Ledger, and consolidations.
Evaluate and manage the implementation of relevant internal processes and systems.
Reconcile intercompany (municipal due-to/due-from) accounts on a defined schedule with zero unresolved items at period-end.
Approve new general ledger accounts in conformance with RIDE’s Uniform Chart of Accounts and maintain financial statement reporting structures.
Manage fixed asset accounts.
Lead audit readiness and compliance.
Work closely with senior team members to prepare key financial reports for the School Committee, and state auditors.
Ensure that all grants are in compliance with OMB Circulars and any other fiscal requirements related to revenue and expense recognition practices.
Submit all grant reimbursement requests accurately and on schedule, proactively track receivables and flag potential shortfalls.
Develop, document, and enforce Internal Control Policies and Procedures; identify gaps and implement corrective action without being directed to do so.
Evaluate and improve accounting systems, payroll platforms, and expense reporting tools; lead or support system implementations as needed.
Serve as a subject matter expert on accounting policy.
Assist with budget development and reporting.