Assistant Controller

Home of Guiding Hands•El Cajon, CA

11d

About The Position

The Assistant Controller supports the Controller in overseeing accounting operations, including payroll, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and corporate accounting. The role helps ensure accurate financial reporting and regulatory compliance, and assists with audits, budgets, and financial analysis. It also serves as the Controller’s primary operational backup and supports continuity of Finance Department operations. The Assistant Controller supervises, trains, and supports the Staff Accountant and other assigned Finance personnel. The position works with accounting processes and systems including Microsoft Dynamics GP, Management Reporter, Paycom, Excel, and other financial systems. It supports accounting policies, internal controls, system improvements, external coordination, and financial guidance for internal stakeholders. The role is expected to demonstrate Home of Guiding Hands’ values of innovation, collaboration, accountability, respect, and empathy. The job operates in a professional office environment and involves regular computer and telephone use. The posting also describes the organization’s use of electronic timekeeping systems and applications that may collect date, time, and location data for specified compliance, payroll, billing, quality assurance, and operational purposes.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
At least five years of progressively responsible accounting experience, including general ledger accounting, month-end close, account reconciliations, and financial reporting.
At least two years of supervisory, lead, or accounting team management experience.
Experience preparing audit schedules and working directly with external auditors.
Strong knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles, internal controls, financial reporting, and account reconciliation practices.
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including formulas, pivot tables, data analysis, and reconciliation tools.
Experience with Microsoft Dynamics GP and Management Reporter.
Experience with UKG or a comparable payroll system.
Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to independently research and resolve accounting issues.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet recurring deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain financial information to non-financial employees.
Ability to supervise, train, and provide constructive feedback to accounting staff.
Sound judgment and discretion when handling confidential employee, client, payroll, and financial information.
Ability to identify issues, communicate concerns proactively, and recommend practical solutions.
Ability to document accounting processes and establish effective procedures and internal controls.
Dexterity using a telephone, computer keyboard, mouse, and calculator while seated at a desk.
Specific vision abilities including close vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Nice To Haves

Experience in nonprofit, healthcare, social services, or government-funded accounting is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Coordinate monthly, quarterly, and year-end financial close processes, including entries, reconciliations, and supporting schedules.
Prepare and review journal entries, accruals, allocations, account reconciliations, and general ledger activity.
Review financial transactions for accuracy, completeness, authorization, account coding, and period recognition.
Oversee accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll accounting, cash receipts, and banking activities.
Review work prepared by the Staff Accountant and other assigned Finance personnel.
Prepare and analyze financial statements and management reports.
Ensure subsidiary records, reconciliations, and supporting schedules agree with the general ledger.
Analyze budget-to-actual results, account activity, and significant variances, and communicate findings to the Controller.
Support cash management, including bank reconciliations, cash-balance monitoring, and cash-flow analyses and forecasts.
Maintain complete financial records and supporting documentation in accordance with organizational policies and retention requirements.
Identify and resolve accounting discrepancies and escalate significant financial or control issues to the Controller.
Assist in developing, implementing, documenting, and maintaining accounting policies, procedures, and financial reporting practices.
Evaluate accounting workflows and recommend improvements to accuracy, efficiency, timeliness, and internal control.
Support effective use of Microsoft Dynamics GP, Management Reporter, Paycom, Excel, and other financial systems.
Maintain appropriate segregation of duties and assist with reviews of system access, approval workflows, and financial controls.
Keep accounting procedures and critical Finance Department processes documented and current.
Coordinate with vendors, banks, funding agencies, auditors, and other external parties as needed.
Participate in financial system implementations, upgrades, testing, and process improvement activities.
Research financial reporting or system issues and communicate recommendations to the Controller.
Directly supervise, train, and support the Staff Accountant and other assigned Finance personnel.
Assign work, set priorities and deadlines, and monitor timely completion of accounting responsibilities.
Provide coaching, technical guidance, and constructive feedback; conduct performance evaluations and address performance concerns with the Controller and Human Resources.
Ensure accounting staff are cross-trained and backup coverage is maintained for critical Finance functions.
Promote accountability, collaboration, accuracy, and timely communication within the Finance team.
Serve as the Controller’s primary operational backup and help maintain Finance Department continuity during absences, vacancies, or peak workload.
Participate in special projects, financial analyses, system implementations, and organizational initiatives as assigned.
Provide financial support and guidance to department leaders and internal stakeholders as needed.
Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.