Controller

Think Together•Santa Ana, CA

28d•$210,000 - $260,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Controller is responsible for the organization’s accounting operations, financial reporting, internal controls, and regulatory compliance. This position oversees the general ledger, financial close, revenue and contract accounting, accounts payable and receivable, treasury, tax filings, grant and fund accounting, payroll integration, and audit readiness. The Controller leads the accounting team and works closely with the CFO and other leaders to improve accounting processes, systems, controls, and reporting.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in accounting or business administration required; CPA designation required; active CPA license strongly preferred.
Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible accounting experience, including experience leading an accounting function and managing professional accounting staff.
In-depth knowledge of GAAP and applicable federal and state financial regulations for nonprofit entities.
Demonstrated experience in designing, implementing, and improving financial close processes, including automation and workflow enhancements.
Experience leading accounting or finance improvements, including process redesign, automation, close acceleration, stronger internal controls, and team development.
Demonstrated success leading and developing accounting teams through clear expectations, coaching, and accountability.
Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, establish accountability, anticipate risks, and consistently deliver high-quality results within deadlines.
Experience using automation, analytics, or AI-enabled tools within accounting or finance processes or demonstrated ability to evaluate and adopt emerging technologies that improve efficiency, accuracy, and controls.
Demonstrated ability to build productive cross-functional partnerships and influence outcomes through clear communication, sound judgment, and effective problemsolving.
Exceptional analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
Demonstrated ability to exercise sound financial judgment, identify inconsistencies in financial information, investigate root causes, and translate findings into actionable recommendations.
Ability to work collaboratively and maintain accuracy under tight deadlines.
Ethical integrity and confidentiality in handling sensitive financial data.
Proficiency in accounting software and Microsoft Office Suite. Advanced proficiency in Excel.
Experience with ERP systems (NetSuite preferred) and ADP General Ledger Interface.
Ability to use business intelligence and reporting tools for financial analysis and reporting.
Must pass a Live Scan fingerprint background check and provide a clear TB test.

Nice To Haves

MBA preferred.
Nonprofit, grant-funded, and multi-entity accounting experience strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Ensure the integrity, accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of the general ledger and financial statements, including the chart of accounts, accounting policies, significant and complex transactions, journal entries, account reconciliations, and balance-sheet substantiation.
Design, implement, and continuously improve a disciplined monthly and annual close process, including ownership of close calendars, accountability structures, review checkpoints, escalation procedures, and quality controls.
Oversee revenue recognition, contract accounting, billing, and accounts receivable controls. Ensure district contracts, grants, attendance or service-delivery data, invoices, contract assets, deferred revenue, and receivables are complete, accurate, and reconciled. Establish controls to identify unbilled services, revenue leakage, billing disputes, and collection risks.
Oversee accounting controls and reporting processes that support compliance with Expanded Learning fiscal requirements.
Ensure robust internal controls and compliance across all financial activities. Maintain segregation of duties and identify and mitigate financial and operational risks. Maintain and update departmental procedures documentation regularly.
Lead annual financial statement audits and the Single Audit in coordination with external CPA firms. Oversee other required financial reviews, including accounts receivable and workers’ compensation audits, and coordinate the timely resolution of audit findings.
Ensure nonprofit-specific GAAP compliance (ASC 958) and consistency across entities, programs, and funding sources.
Review financial results critically through fluctuation and variance analysis, investigating unexpected movements, unusual transactions, missing activity, and other anomalies to ensure accuracy and completeness prior to reporting.
Oversee accounts payable, cash application, procurement, and fixed-asset accounting, including effective approval, coding, monitoring, capitalization, and reconciliation procedures.
Oversee cash accounting and treasury operations, including bank reconciliations, bank account administration, payment controls, authorized signers, debt and investment accounting, and support for short-term liquidity forecasting. Partner with the CFO on banking relationships, capital structure, and liquidity strategy.
Oversee payroll postings to the general ledger and the reconciliation of payroll and benefits accounts.
Oversee the accurate and timely preparation and filing of Form 990 and other required federal, state, local, sales, property, and informational tax filings, in coordination with internal and external tax resources.
Partner closely with FP&A and operational leaders to reconcile actual results to forecasts, explain key drivers of variances, improve budget accuracy, and support organization wide decision-making.
Lead, coach, mentor, and develop the accounting team by establishing clear expectations, providing ongoing feedback, identifying development opportunities, and creating a culture of accountability, learning, and continuous improvement.
Build a scalable, technology-enabled accounting function by establishing appropriate service levels and performance measures and leading process improvement and automation across financial close, accounting, and reporting activities.
Perform additional duties as assigned by the Chief Financial Officer.