Controller

Francis Parker School • San Diego, CA

13d • $160,000 - $180,000

About The Position

The Controller at Francis Parker School (School) is a key member of the Business Office leadership team and oversees a six-member team responsible for managing the School’s accounting, budgeting, financial reporting, internal controls, and purchasing. This role ensures compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), oversees the audit process, manages cash flow, and provides timely and accurate financial information to internal and external constituents. The Controller collaborates closely with senior leadership to support the School’s mission by ensuring financial integrity and sustainability. The Controller performs both review-level and transaction-level work.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required; CPA preferred.
• 7+ years of progressive accounting experience, preferably in a nonprofit or independent school setting.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP, nonprofit accounting, and financial best practices.
• Hands-on experience with accounting systems (e.g., Blackbaud or similar school management systems preferred).
• Track record for delivering financial statements and related reporting on or before mandated deadlines.
• Proven ability to develop a high-functioning team.
• Capable of functioning in both a hands-on and oversight capacity.
• Experience designing, implementing, and monitoring internal controls over financial reporting.
• Demonstrated aptitude for making continuous improvements.
• Analytical with the ability to correlate financial and operational data.
• Proven ability to develop salient reporting and analytical tools.
• Advanced Excel or Google Sheet skills.
• High level of integrity, discretion, and ethical standards.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, time management, and problem-solving skills.
• Effective leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Service orientation and proactive attitude in understanding and resolving issues.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the day-to-day accounting operations, including billing, accounts receivable, payroll, purchasing, accounts payable, and general ledger.
• Process and record gift transmittals.
• Prepare accurate and timely monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements in accordance with GAAP and other guidelines for not-for-profit entities and independent schools.
• Ensure that all financial transactions and journal entries are supported with complete and accurate documentation.
• Review general ledger account activity on a monthly basis – investigate unusual or suspicious activity in a timely manner.
• Monitor and reconcile balance sheet and revenue/expense accounts – resolve variances in a timely manner.
• Partner with Human Resources to ensure accurate and compliant payroll processing under California wage-and-hour laws (e.g., overtime, meal/rest requirements, pay schedules, sick leave).
• Oversee payroll, including reconciliation of payroll registers, benefit deductions, employer taxes, and retirement plan contributions.
• Oversee tuition billing, payment plans, financial assistance adjustments, and related revenue postings.
• Manage collections processes professionally.
• Maintain the School’s books and records in accordance with the School’s document retention policy.
• Ensure the integrity of the financial reporting process, adhering to GAAP standards.
• Prepare and distribute a monthly reporting package that includes the School’s financial results, an analysis of the results, key performance metrics, and other relevant financial information.
• Provide budget-to-actual reports to division and department heads on a monthly basis.
• Develop and maintain financial dashboards and internal reports for leadership and Board committees.
• Manage cash flow reporting and forecasting, including coordinating with the CFO to ensure there is adequate liquidity for the School’s operating and capital needs.
• Serve as the primary liaison with the School’s external auditors for the annual financial statement and 403(b) audits, including the timely preparation and delivery of all PBC schedules and supporting documentation.
• Serve as the primary liaison with the School’s tax preparers to file the School’s Form 990 (federal) and Form 199 (state) informational returns.
• Ensure the timely and accurate filing of all federal, state, and local required returns and reporting, including payroll tax returns, sales/use tax returns, and 1099s.
• Comply with all regulations to which independent schools are subject, including California educational institution billing standards and consumer protection laws.
• Verify the School’s compliance with key financial policies, including purchasing, travel and entertainment expenses, and document retention.
• Develop, implement, and monitor internal controls to safeguard assets.
• Develop and/or update, as needed, financial policies and procedures for all key processes and transactions with an emphasis on ensuring the adequacy of internal controls.
• Perform periodic assessments of payroll, purchasing, and other key areas to identify and mitigate significant financial risks.
• Assist the CFO in the development of the annual budgeting process in collaboration with the Head of School and other key constituents (e.g., Leadership Team, Finance Committee, and Board of Trustees).
• Develop and maintain a comprehensive, multi-year financial planning model to support decision-making, long-term financial stability, and the achievement of the School’s strategic objectives.
• Closely monitor financial performance against the approved budget – make recommendations for corrective actions, as needed, to address and resolve issues.
• Implement leading-edge financial reporting systems and tools that support the School’s current and future information and decision-support needs – provide advice on adopting new technologies in support of the School’s needs.
• Process requests for capital expenditures by preparing financial analyses and taking other appropriate actions to evaluate requests.
• Maintain a monthly and annual cash flow forecast – coordinate the investment of excess cash balances in accordance with the School’s cash management policy.
• Make recommendations regarding the financial feasibility of new programs or initiatives.
• Identify opportunities for reducing costs.
• Support department and division heads in understanding financial statements and adhering to budgetary guidelines.
• Prepare financial analyses and other ad hoc reports to inform decision-making and strategic initiative priorities.
• Supervise the Business Office team, consisting of the Accounting Manager, Purchasing Manager, Payroll and Benefits Manager (dual report to the Director of Human Resources), Staff Accountant, Billing/Accounts Receivable Accountant, and Accounts Payable Administrator.

Benefits

• Parker is committed to attracting and retaining the highest quality faculty and staff through a substantial compensation plan, including competitive salary, TIAA retirement benefits, and full medical/dental coverage.

What This Job Offers

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