Controller

Merritt Academy • Fairfax, VA

4d

About The Position

The J127 Education Foundation is seeking a Controller to support financial operations for the Foundation and its schools: Merritt Academy, First Steps Academy, and The Appletree School. Reporting to the Director of Finance, the Controller will take a hands-on role in managing general ledger accounting, financial reporting, and monthly and annual close processes for a multi-entity nonprofit organization. Based in Fairfax, Virginia, this full-time position helps ensure accurate financial records, strong internal controls, and reliable information for school and Foundation leadership. The Controller works closely with the Finance team to prepare budgets, analyze financial results, coordinate audit schedules, and improve accounting processes that support the schools.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a closely related field.
• CPA designation.
• At least 4 years of progressive accounting experience, including substantial general ledger, financial reporting, and monthly and annual close responsibilities.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP, accrual accounting, reconciliations, and financial statement preparation.
• Experience preparing budgets, personnel projections, and variance analyses, with the ability to independently investigate and resolve accounting discrepancies.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including pivot tables, lookup functions, formulas, and financial schedules.
• Excellent analytical and organizational skills, strong attention to detail, and ability to manage competing priorities and meet recurring deadlines.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills and ability to build positive working relationships with accounting colleagues, school administrators, and external auditors.
• Integrity, discretion, and professionalism when handling confidential financial and personnel information.

Nice To Haves

• Nonprofit, education, or independent school accounting experience.
• Experience with Blackbaud Financial Edge NXT or comparable accounting software.
• Familiarity with Blackbaud Tuition Management and Paylocity.
• Experience with fund accounting, multi-entity reporting, investments, lease accounting under ASC 842, independent audits, and Form 990 preparation.

Responsibilities

• Manage monthly, quarterly, and year-end accounting close activities, including journal entries, reconciliations, and financial reporting.
• Maintain the accuracy and integrity of the general ledger, including accruals, prepaid expenses, allocations, and adjusting entries.
• Prepare and review bank, balance sheet, and general ledger reconciliations; investigate discrepancies and resolve outstanding items.
• Maintain fixed asset, depreciation, and lease accounting schedules, including right-of-use assets and lease liabilities; reconcile payroll activity and related liabilities to the general ledger.
• Coordinate intercompany and interfund accounting, allocations, and reconciliations across the Foundation’s schools and operating funds, and maintain investment accounting entries and supporting schedules.
• Prepare financial statements and supporting reports, analyze significant fluctuations, and communicate findings to the Director of Finance and school leadership.
• Coordinate preparation of year-end audit schedules and Form 990 supporting documentation, respond to external auditor requests, and assist with related adjustments.
• Partner with the Director of Finance and school leaders to develop annual operating budgets, personnel and benefit projections, enrollment-based revenue analyses, and financial forecasts.
• Prepare budget-to-actual reports, investigate significant variances, and explain findings to support informed financial decisions.
• Maintain compliance with GAAP, nonprofit accounting standards, and internal financial policies; recommend improvements to accounting procedures and internal controls.
• Provide technical guidance to accounting colleagues, review routine schedules and workpapers, and coordinate assignments with the Director of Finance to support deadlines and appropriate segregation of duties.
• Streamline accounting processes, standardize documentation, and support special financial analyses and projects as needed.

Benefits

• Tuition reimbursement program.
• Professional development training opportunities.
• Competitive pay.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance options for eligible employees.
• Vacation and sick leave.
• Retirement plan with employer matching.
• Life insurance.
• Discounted tuition rate for children attending any J127 Education Foundation school.

What This Job Offers

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