Controller

Campus • New York, NY

14d • $180,000 - $230,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

Campus is seeking a hands-on Controller to lead the accounting function, manage and develop the accounting team, and own close, financial reporting, audits, controls, and accounting systems. Reporting directly to the CFO, the Controller will turn growing transaction volume and complex student-finance activity into accurate, timely financials that leadership, the Board, investors, and regulators can trust.

Immediate priorities include strengthening the monthly close to five business days or less, helping lead the transition from QuickBooks to Campfire, and building the team, documentation, and systems needed to support continued growth. The role requires strong technical accounting judgment as well as a willingness to investigate discrepancies, improve workflows, and resolve issues directly.

The Controller will partner across Finance, Student Finance, Financial Aid, Operations, HR, Legal, Compliance, and external advisors. The position is based in New York City with a hybrid schedule: remote Mondays and Fridays and in-office Tuesdays through Thursdays.

Requirements

• CPA and a bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance.
• 12 or more years of progressive accounting experience, including at least five years in high-growth, venture-backed environments.
• Experience managing and developing accounting teams.
• Expert knowledge of US GAAP, including complex revenue recognition, stock-based compensation, and lease accounting under ASC 606, ASC 718, and ASC 842.
• Demonstrated ownership of monthly, quarterly, and annual close, financial statement audits, and internal control design and documentation.
• Hands-on experience implementing or substantially improving an ERP and managing accounting data integrity.
• Experience accounting for deferred revenue, financing or installment arrangements, and partner economics.
• Ability to take ownership, explain complex accounting to non-finance partners, make sound decisions under tight timelines or ambiguity, and remain calm during audits and regulatory reviews.
• Strong attention to detail and business context, people-development skills, and ability to earn trust through transparency, consistency, and early action on emerging risks.
• Current and ongoing authorization to work in the United States without sponsorship now or in the future.

Nice To Haves

• Big 4 or top-tier national accounting firm background, or experience at a late Series B, Series C, or later-stage company.
• Experience in education, fintech, lending, healthcare, insurance, or another regulated environment.
• Familiarity with Title IV, financial responsibility, or 90/10 reporting.
• Campfire implementation or optimization experience.
• Familiarity with Carta, Ramp, and Rippling.
• Experience with multi-entity, multi-state, or multi-currency accounting.

Responsibilities

• Own monthly, quarterly, and annual close, targeting a monthly close of five business days or less, and establish close calendars, ownership, reconciliations, and review standards.
• Deliver complete and accurate US GAAP financial statements and supporting schedules, including balance sheet reconciliations, consolidation, intercompany activity, and explanations of significant variances.
• Own accounting for tuition, deferred revenue, scholarships and discounts, refunds, student receivables, installment and financing arrangements, and partner revenue or expense sharing.
• Maintain accounting policies and technical analyses under ASC 606, ASC 718, and ASC 842; oversee equity accounting and reconciliation to Carta, including options, grants, exercises, and stock-based compensation.
• Partner with FP&A to align actuals with forecasts, maintain reporting by program and funding source, and produce Board, investor, lender, and diligence materials.
• Lead annual financial statement audits, manage auditor relationships and supporting schedules, and proactively resolve technical questions and findings.
• Design and document controls over cash, restricted funds, revenue, disbursements, payroll, journal entries, and system access; establish appropriate approvals and segregation of duties.
• Partner with Financial Aid, Student Finance, Legal, and Compliance on Title IV and other education-related reviews, ensuring student-account activity, financial aid receipts, refunds, and returns reconcile to the general ledger.
• Support financial responsibility and composite score calculations, 90/10 reporting, lender covenant reporting, and regulatory financial submissions with accurate schedules and documented methodologies.
• Coordinate tax and other statutory filings with external advisors and proactively identify and address accounting, audit, and compliance risks.
• Help lead the QuickBooks-to-Campfire migration, including chart of accounts and reporting dimensions, data cleanup and conversion, opening balance validation, integrations, testing, and cutover controls.
• Own accounting data integrity across Campfire, Carta, Ramp, Rippling, billing and payment tools, and student systems; improve reconciliations and reduce manual work through controlled automation.
• Manage and develop the accounting team, establish clear responsibilities and documentation, and build capacity as Campus grows.
• Maintain high standards while supporting sustainable workloads; communicate issues early and build effective partnerships with internal teams and external advisors.

Benefits

• Base salary of $180,000–$230,000 plus an equity grant.
• Medical insurance.
• Vision insurance.
• 401(k) match.
• Fertility benefits via Carrot.
• Flexible working hours and a hybrid work schedule.
• Flexible Time Away and paid holidays.
• In-office lunches.
• Social events, including happy hours, birthday celebrations, and holiday parties.
• Opportunity to make an impact as an integral player in bringing Campus’s vision to life.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior