ASSISTANT CONTROLLER

Home of Guiding Hands; El Cajon (CA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

The Assistant Controller at Home of Guiding Hands supports the Controller in overseeing accounting operations, including payroll, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and corporate accounting. This role ensures accurate financial reporting and compliance while assisting with audits, budgets, and financial analysis.

Based in California, the role emphasizes internal controls, process improvements, and supervision of staff to maintain timely, accurate financial records in a nonprofit setting.

Qualifications

• Minimum five years of progressively responsible accounting experience, including general ledger accounting and month-end close.
• Two years of supervisory experience in a finance team.
• Experience preparing audit schedules and working with external auditors.
• Nonprofit, healthcare, social services, or government-funded accounting preferred.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP and internal controls.
• Advanced Excel skills including pivot tables and data analysis.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and manage monthly, quarterly, and year-end close processes with entries, reconciliations, and schedules.
• Prepare and review journal entries, accruals, allocations, and general ledger activity.
• Oversee accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll accounting, cash receipts, and banking activities.
• Review work prepared by accounting staff, including journals, reconciliations, and schedules.
• Prepare and analyze monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements and management reports.

Skills

Auditing experience

Staff supervision

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Dynamics GP

Management Reporter

Paycom

Excel

Job description

• Pay or shift range: $95,000 USD to $115,000 USD
  The estimated range is the budgeted amount for this position. Final offers are based on various factors, including skill set, experience, location, qualifications and other job-related reasons.

Job Summary

The Assistant Controller supports the Controller in overseeing accounting operations, including payroll, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and corporate accounting. This role ensures accurate financial reporting and compliance with regulations while assisting with audits, budgets, and financial analysis. The Assistant Controller embodies Home of Guiding Hands' core values by fostering innovation, promoting collaboration, upholding accountability, demonstrating respect, and practicing empathy in all financial operations.

Accounting & Financial Operations:

• Coordinate and manage the monthly, quarterly, and year-end financial close processes, ensuring all required entries, reconciliations, and supporting schedules are completed accurately and timely.


• Prepare and review journal entries, accruals, allocations, account reconciliations, and other general ledger activity.


• Review financial transactions for accuracy, completeness, proper authorization, appropriate account coding, and correct period recognition.


• Oversee accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll accounting, cash receipts, and banking activities.


• Review work prepared by the Staff Accountant and other assigned Finance personnel, including journal entries, reconciliations, schedules, and transaction support.


• Prepare and analyze monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements and management reports.


• Ensure subsidiary records, reconciliations, and supporting schedules agree to the general ledger.


• Analyze budget-to-actual results, account activity, and significant financial variances, and communicate findings to the Controller.


• Support cash management activities, including bank reconciliations, monitoring cash balances, and preparing cash-flow analyses and forecasts.


• Maintain accurate and complete financial records and supporting documentation in accordance with organizational policies and record-retention requirements.


• Identify and resolve accounting discrepancies and elevate significant financial or control issues to the Controller.

Financial Systems, Controls, and Process Improvement:

• Assist in developing, implementing, documenting, and maintaining accounting policies, procedures, and financial reporting practices.


• Evaluate accounting workflows and recommend improvements to increase accuracy, efficiency, timeliness, and internal control.


• Support the effective use of Microsoft Dynamics GP, Management Reporter, Paycom, Excel, and other financial systems.


• Maintain appropriate segregation of duties and assist in reviewing system access, approval workflows, and financial controls.


• Ensure accounting procedures and critical Finance Department processes are documented and kept current.


• Coordinate with vendors, banks, funding agencies, auditors, and other external parties as needed.


• Participate in financial system implementations, upgrades, testing, and process


• Identify financial reporting or system issues, research possible solutions, and communicate recommendations to the Controller.

Staff Supervision & Training:

• Directly supervise, train, and support the Staff Accountant and other assigned Finance Department personnel.


• Assign work, establish priorities and deadlines, and monitor the timely completion of accounting responsibilities.


• Review journal entries, account reconciliations, schedules, reports, and other work prepared by accounting staff for accuracy and completeness.


• Provide ongoing coaching, technical guidance, and constructive feedback to support employee development and performance.


• Conduct performance evaluations and address performance concerns in coordination with the Controller and Human Resources.


• Ensure accounting staff are appropriately cross-trained and that backup coverage is maintained for critical Finance Department functions.


• Promote accountability, collaboration, accuracy, and timely communication within the Finance team.

Other Duties:

• Serve as the Controller’s primary operational backup and assist in maintaining continuity of Finance Department operations during absences, vacancies, or peak workload


• Participate in special projects, financial analyses, system implementations, and organizational initiatives as assigned.


• Provide financial support and guidance to department leaders and other internal stakeholders as needed.


• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the

Knowledge, Skills, and Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field


• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible accounting experience, including general ledger accounting, month-end close, account reconciliations, and financial


• At least two years of supervisory, lead, or accounting team management experience


• Experience preparing audit schedules and working directly with external auditors


• Experience in nonprofit, healthcare, social services, or government-funded accounting strongly preferred.


• Strong knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles, internal controls, financial reporting, and account reconciliation practices.


• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including formulas, pivot tables, data analysis, and reconciliation tools.


• Experience with Microsoft Dynamics GP and Management Reporter


• Experience with UKG or a comparable payroll system


• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving


• Ability to independently research and resolve accounting


• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet recurring deadlines in a fast-paced


• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain financial information to non-financial employees.


• Ability to supervise, train, and provide constructive feedback to accounting


• Sound judgment and discretion when handling confidential employee, client, payroll, and financial information.


• Ability to identify issues, communicate concerns proactively, and recommend practical


• Ability to document accounting processes and establish effective procedures and internal controls.

Physical Requirements/Work Environment

This job operates in a professional office environment. The employee requires dexterity in using a telephone, computer keyboard, mouse and calculator while sitting at a desk. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, and sit. The employee may frequently move to interact with fellow employees and/or clients. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

Electronic Visit Verification and Location Data Notice

• In accordance with California and federal requirements related to Electronic Visit Verification (EVV), Home of Guiding Hands utilizes electronic timekeeping systems and/or mobile applications that may capture date, time, and location information at the point services are provided or when employees clock in and clock out. This information is collected solely for purposes related to legal compliance, payroll processing, billing verification, quality assurance, and operational oversight.


• By accepting or continuing employment with Home of Guiding Hands, or by using a company-issued device, receiving a cell phone stipend, or installing and/or using any agency-required applications on a personal device, the employee acknowledges and consents to the collection and use of this information as described above. Employees should have no expectation of privacy in connection with location data captured during working hours or while performing job-related duties.

Values

Innovation – We encourage creativity and innovation because we believe that by striving for more efficient and effective ways of doing things, we can achieve exceptional results. Our drive for success is shared by all. Our organization focuses on solutions and refuses to maintain the status quo. We challenge our team to be ahead of industry trends as we strive to lead and not follow.

Collaboration – We believe that working together collaboratively is the foundation of a culture that values teamwork, communication, and cooperation. This belief is central to every part of our business, both internally and externally, and strengthens our community.

Accountability – We take responsibility for our actions and for delivering on our commitments. We believe that by being transparent and accountable, we build trust and maintain the respect of our stakeholders.

Respect – We treat everyone with respect and dignity. We value inclusivity and believe that by upholding a culture of respect, we can foster a positive and supportive work environment. We treat others as we would want to be treated.

Empathy – We value empathy and understanding in all our interactions. We seek to understand the perspectives and needs of our colleagues, clients, and stakeholders to meet them with kindness and compassion.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

Home of Guiding Hands is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity/expression), age, marital status, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with disability.

About HGH

Home of Guiding Hands is a non-profit organization that was established in 1967 by a small group of dedicated and ambitious community members. The Mission of HGH is "to improve the lives of those we serve". We support children and adults in San Diego and Imperial Counties with intellectual and developmental disabilities, such as Down syndrome, epilepsy, autism, and cerebral palsy. We provide a full continuum of care including residential care in specialized group homes, independent living support, respite care, and adult foster home services. Additionally, we provide early childhood assessments and services, tailored day support, Life Planning workshops, county-wide transportation services, and on-site activities at our resource center.

Bachelors or better in Business Administration.

Bachelors or better in Finance.

Preferred

Bachelors or better.

Experience

Required

Experience preparing audit schedules and working directly with external auditors required.

2 years:

At least two years of supervisory, lead, or accounting team management experience preferred.

5 years:

Minimum of five years of progressively responsible accounting experience, including general ledger accounting, month-end close, account reconciliations, and financial reporting.

Preferred

Experience in nonprofit, healthcare, social services, or government-funded accounting strongly preferred.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.