Controller

Neighborhood Defender Service•New York, NY

About The Position

THE NEIGHBORHOOD DEFENDER SERVICE OF HARLEM (NDS) is a community-based, client-centered, holistic public defense office and we invite you to join our team as we represent our clients with excellence. Building on 30 years of experience providing high quality representation, we are expanding our efforts to bring the same caliber of representation to the communities served by our NDS locations. We are seeking a team of highly organized, self-driven, and resilient individuals dedicated to our mission. Our clients are represented by teams composed of lawyers, investigators, social workers, client advocates, and team administrators. NDS adheres to a client-centered approach to representation that emphasizes a heightened responsiveness to clients’ needs prior to arrest, while a case is pending, and after the case concludes. NDS is committed to addressing the comprehensive legal and social service needs of clients while treating each client with dignity and respect. The Controller is an integral part of the defense team who demonstrates a commitment to serving marginalized persons and communities. The Controller will help shape our present and future—contributing to a collaborative environment and culture of excellence in alignment with our values. We represent our clients is as important as individual case outcomes and our ideal Controller approaches the cultivation of a positive office culture and the representation of indigent clients with equal rigor and commitment. This role work in close partnership with the CFO to ensure accurate financial reporting, strong internal controls, compliance with accounting standards, and consistent financial processes across all locations. The Controller plays a key role in supporting strategic financial decisions through timely and reliable financial information.

Requirements

Substantial accounting and finance experience, ideally beginning in accounting and audit, followed by experience gathering, evaluating, presenting and reporting financial information to executive teams and external stakeholders.
Experience in a complex nonprofit that has multiple activities is preferred.
A bachelor’s degree, preferably in accounting or finance.
Demonstrated experience coordinating audit activities and managing reporting, budget development and analysis, accounts payable and receivable, general ledger, payroll, and accounting for investments.
Demonstrated experience in grants management as it relates to compliance and reporting of government, corporate and foundation grants is essential.
Technology savvy with experience selecting and overseeing software installations and managing relationships with software vendors; advanced knowledge of accounting and reporting software.
An ability to quickly build relationships across varying identities, income levels, races and ethnicities.
Clear and effective communication skills, both orally and in writing, particularly in communicating key data.
Keen analytic, organizational and problem-solving skills which allows for strategic data interpretation.
Ability and desire to translate complex financial concepts to individuals at all levels including non-finance managers.

Responsibilities

Embrace NDS’ philosophy of client-centered, community-based, holistic representation and commitment to excellence by providing vigorous representation with energy and enthusiasm to the communities we serve.
Oversee the day-to-day accounting operations: general ledger activities, month-end and year-end close processes for all or designated segments of the organization.
Ensure timely and accurate preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP (or applicable standards).
Maintain consistent accounting policies and internal controls in alignment across all locations
Identify and implement opportunities to improve accounting processes, internal controls, reporting efficiency, and data accuracy to support flawless audits.
Maintain responsibility over all or designated segments accounting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and grants administration.
Provide short-term analysis of all financial information, forecast for future needs as well as provide long-term projections to support the growth of the organization.
Assist with audits, including Single Audit (if applicable), and serve as one of the key contacts for auditors.
Supervise accounting staff as assigned and support cross-location collaboration.
Support the implementation and optimization of accounting and financial systems.
Monitor program budgets and actual expenditures to ensure alignment with approved funding
Ensure thorough, consistent analysis of financial data and the timely preparation and clear communication of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports; monitor financial performance and trends.
Assist in the annual budgeting and planning process; administer and reviews all financial plans and comparison to actual results.
Actively engage in financial, program and grants accounting; ensure that expenditures are consistently aligned with grant and program budgets throughout the grant/fund period; collate financial reporting materials for government, corporate, and foundation grants.
Oversee designated accounting for grants and restricted funds, including proper classification, tracking, and release of restrictions, and review and ensure that all grant invoicing is prepared directly from general ledger data.
Ensure compliance with grant agreements, donor requirements, and reporting deadlines.
Support grant budgeting, monitoring, and variance analysis in coordination with program staff.
Partner with all department functions to enhance and better integrate finance, HR, and IT functions.
Perform other related duties as assigned to support organizational needs and priorities as they arise.