Controller

Island Health Careers•Anacortes, WA

2d•$96,279 - $144,440•Onsite

About The Position

At Island Health, people are at the center of everything we do. As a part of the Accounting/ Finance team, you’ll play a vital role in supporting our mission to care for those who care for others. You’ll help create a positive and seamless experience for every team member — ensuring they feel valued, supported, and heard. As our Controller, you will lead the hospital’s accounting operations and ensures the integrity, accuracy, and timeliness of the organization’s financial records and reporting. This role oversees the general ledger, month-end close, financial statement preparation, internal controls, and key transactional workflows—with heightened accountability for accurate payroll and timely, accurate accounts payable processing. The Controller develops and maintains efficient, standardized processes that reduce error risk, strengthen compliance, and support Island Hospital’s mission, strategic goals, and long-term financial sustainability. Location: Anacortes, WA / Onsite Schedule: Full Time / Days Salary: $46.29/hr. ($96,279 annually) - $69.44/hr. ($ 144,440 annually)

Requirements

Strong quantitative, project management, communication, and leadership skills.
Strong writing and documentation skills, including ability to support accounting interpretations and internal control/audit requirements.
Ability to research, analyze, interpret complex data, and formulate recommendations; ability to identify and resolve inconsistencies.
Ability to communicate complex concepts clearly across varying levels of expertise and prepare high-impact presentations for leadership/stakeholders as needed.
Systems-thinking and comfort operating in ambiguity; collaborative relationship-building across departments and external partners.
Ability to interpret contract/legal documentation and apply it to financial processes (especially AP and payroll controls).
Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, or related field required
Minimum of 5 years of progressive accounting experience
Demonstrated experience leading month-end close, reconciliations, financial reporting, and internal controls.
Strong understanding of payroll accounting and AP workflows, including risk controls and process design.
Proficiency with accounting systems/ERPs and advanced Excel skills.

Nice To Haves

Master’s preferred.
healthcare/hospital experience strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Supervise all accounting staff, which include Account Payable Coordinator, Payroll Coordinator, Staff Accountant and Senior Accountants, provides functional leadership to finance operations processes.
Lead monthly, quarterly, and annual close to produce timely, accurate, and complete financial statements in accordance with GAAP and applicable state/federal requirements.
Oversee general accounting activities including general ledger, revenue recording, accounts payable/receivable support, and related reconciliations.
Ensure consistent application of accounting procedures and effective bookkeeping practices across the department.
Analyze complex financial data, resolve inconsistencies, and provide clear, actionable reporting to leaders (and Board-facing support as needed).
Attend monthly Finance Committee meeting and take minutes
Oversee payroll accounting processes to ensure payroll is accurate, fully supported, and properly recorded in the general ledger, with timely reconciliations and issue resolution.
Ensure all pay rules are in alignment with all employee contracts including collective bargaining agreements.
Partner with the Office of Talent Management to ensure reliable employee data flow (e.g., hires, terminations, job changes, leave), and to strengthen end-to-end internal controls that reduce payroll error risk.
Design verification and review controls (pre- and post-payroll), including reconciliations, exception reporting, and documentation standards to reduce manual error and rework.
Oversee AP workflows to ensure invoices are processed accurately and on time, aligned with approval policies, contract terms, and cash management priorities.
Strengthen invoice routing/approval, matching/validation, vendor file controls, and exception handling to reduce delays and payment errors.
Implement efficiency improvements and clear SOPs that reduce cycle time, prevent duplicate/incorrect payments, and improve throughput—especially during staffing transitions.
Maintain and continuously improve the internal control structure through documentation, education, monitoring, and enhancements.
Evaluate and document accounting policies and emerging reporting issues; prepare written support (“white papers”) and audit-ready documentation for key judgments and controls.
Coordinate external audits and required reporting support, including tax-related items as applicable to the organization.
Ensure compliance with applicable regulations, hospital policies, and payer/government reporting requirements as applicable.
Maintain and improve internal controls over financial reporting, cash handling, payroll accounting, and disbursements.
Provide accounting support and coordination for Medicare/Medicaid cost report preparation and related audit requests, ensuring accurate inputs, reconciliations, and support schedules.
Support development of forecasting models, the annual budget process, and multi-year capital planning through accurate actuals, sound assumptions, and well-documented analyses.
Provide accounting and reporting support for treasury-related activities and investment reporting, including performance analysis against benchmarks where applicable.
Establish and monitor performance dashboards for finance operations (e.g., close timeliness, reconciliation completion, AP cycle time, payroll corrections/error rates) and lead continuous improvement efforts.
Promote a proactive, collaborative team culture emphasizing respect, quality, customer service, innovation, and teamwork.
Supervise and develop accounting staff; set clear expectations, provide coaching, and ensure appropriate workload management.
Work collaboratively with leaders across the hospital to support accurate coding of expenses, timely information flow, and resolution of accounting issues.