Controller

  • Full-time
  • Hiring Start Time: Immediate Start (Home Office)
  • HO Team: Accounting

Company Description

Uncommon Schools is a non-profit network of 53 outstanding public charter schools in grades K-12 across New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts. Our mission is to start and manage outstanding urban public charter schools that close the achievement gap and prepare students from low-income backgrounds for success in college and beyond. We are accomplishing that mission every day, with a college graduation rate that is well above the national average and thousands of stories of our students and alumni achieving their dreams.

Job Description

About the role
Reporting to the CFO, the Controller is responsible for the oversight of all accounting and reporting activities for the Home Office, six regional school districts and all real estate transactions. The Controller works closely with the CFO and the senior leadership team, and is involved in presentations to the board, finance, audit committee, and lenders. He/she also works with the entire Financial Management team, Home Office personnel, and school-based teams.

The Controller will lead the day-to-day accounting operations of the Home Office and 54 schools with a total operating budget of approximately $350 million. The Controller is responsible for overseeing the accounting for approximately $400 million in real estate transactions that Uncommon develops, manages, and leases to its schools within its network. The Controller has functional responsibility over all accounting operations, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and grants administration. The Controller has two direct reports and supervises a team of 29 staff members

Responsibilities

Accounting Leadership

  • Consistent with the organizational priorities, develop, analyze, and make recommendations relating to accounting and financial systems to ensure effective and efficient financial operations
  • Oversee all accounts, ledgers, and reporting systems ensuring compliance with appropriate GAAP and/or GASB standards and regulatory requirements
  • Oversee the accounting department to ensure proper maintenance of all accounting systems and functions to ensure fidelity of data and timely monthly and year-end reporting
  • Participate in an organization-wide initiative to update all systems supporting all aspects of Uncommon operations
  • Analyze financial data and present financial reports in an accurate and timely manner, clearly communicate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements; monitor progress and changes and keep CFO abreast of the organization’s financial status
  • Oversee all program and grants accounting; ensure that expenditures are consistently aligned with grant and program budgets throughout the grant/fund period
  • Oversee the payroll function and related systems
  • Oversee the full coordination of all the audits and the gathering of required audit information, IRS Form 990 preparations and filing activity
  • Maintain continuous lines of communication and keep the CFO informed of all accounting issues.

Team Leadership

  • Demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a large team of accounting professionals
  • Leverage strengths of the current accounting team members, help to clarify roles and responsibilities and develop and implement training programs in order to maximize and reach optimal individual and organizational goals.
  • Together with accounting team, strive to obtain clean audits for all entities for each fiscal year.

Qualifications

Skills and Experience

  • Solid knowledge of accounting principles and practices as demonstrated by holding active CPA license.
  • Thorough understanding of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), as well as Governmental Accounting Standards (GAS) and Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) pronouncements,
  • Up-to-date on nonprofit expertise regarding audit best practices and state and federal law regarding nonprofit operations,
  • Knowledge of financial compliance and risk management including but not limited to statutory and regulatory requirements for nonprofit organizations.
  • Communication skills capable of presenting accounting and financial requirements to program
  • Excellent organization, time management, and follow-up skills; ability to prioritize and demonstrate an appropriate sense of urgency
  • History of successfully implementing/integrating systems, policies and protocols
  • Demonstrated ability to work and lead project teams
Minimum Requirements
  • BA/BS degree in Accounting. CPA required
  • Public accounting experience required
  • Minimum of 10 years experience with at least 5 years in a management role. 
  • Non-profit sector experience preferred
  • Experience in K-12 education preferred
  • Experience in real estate financing for schools and non-profit entities preferred
  • Superior detail orientation balanced with the ability to see the “big picture”
  • Comfortable working in a collaborative team environment.
  • Proven track record of success managing and coaching others.

Additional Information

Uncommon Schools offers competitive salaries commensurate with experience and a comprehensive benefits package.  Aside from extensive professional development, all our staff members are equipped with a laptop computer, email, and all necessary supplies.

Uncommon believes in the importance of being a diverse, equitable and inclusive organization that enables our students and staff to thrive. We are committed to building a talented team that reflects the diverse backgrounds and experiences of our students. At the same time, we work to ensure an inclusive community through creating a space for important dialogue about issues of race and identity for our staff and students.  As an equal opportunity employer, we hire without consideration to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status or disability.