Assistant Controller

The Rapid; Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision

Retirement plans: 403(b) + 457

Life, AD&D, disability insurance

Employee assistance program

Gym membership reimbursement

Free transit with employee badge

Paid time off

Job summary

The Rapid seeks an Assistant Controller to partner with the Director of Finance, delivering advanced financial analysis and strategic insight. You will oversee core accounting, forecasting, budgeting, and grants compliance, ensuring financial integrity and transparent reporting.

You will lead month-end close, coordinate audits, and develop internal controls while supporting leadership with decision-ready analyses and dashboards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or related field.
• 7 years' progressive experience in finance and accounting or equivalent.
• Government accounting knowledge preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead annual operating forecast in coordination with department leaders.
• Build forecasts, financial models, and scenario analyses for decisions.
• Monitor budget-to-actual performance and provide variance analyses.
• Review and approve financial transactions and supporting staff documentation.
• Lead month- and year-end close and coordinate the annual audit.
• Provide trend analyses and recommendations for optimization.
• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements per GAAP and GASB.
• Develop internal controls and accounting policies to ensure compliance and efficiency.
• Ensure compliance with 2 CFR Part 200, FTA Circulars, and state reporting.
• Prepare grant financial reports, reimbursements, and closeouts.
• Coordinate NTD reporting per FTA requirements.
• Identify ad-hoc reports and dashboards to increase productivity.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Financial analysis

Forecasting & budgeting

GAAP & GASB

Internal controls

Financial modeling

ERP systems

Excel

Presentation skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting/finance

Tools

ERP software

Excel

PowerPoint

Outlook

Job description

The Rapid is seeking a strategic and detail-oriented Assistant Controller to partner closely with our Director of Finance to provide day-to-day analytical and technical support in overseeing the organization's financial operations. The position ensures financial integrity, compliance, and transparency, and has significant responsibility for financial forecasting and budgeting, leading core accounting functions, grants management, and federal and state transit funding compliance and reporting. In this role you will deliver advanced financial analysis and strategic insight to support leadership decision-making and exercises independent judgment.

Essential Functions:

• Lead, monitor, and oversight of the annual operating in coordination with department leadership.
• Build and maintain forecasts, financial models, and scenario analyses to support decision making.
• Monitor budget to actual performance and provide variance analysis.
• Review and approve financial transactions and support documentation prepared by staff.
• Lead month and year end closing process; serve as liaison for the annual independent audit.
• Provide analysis of trends and forecasts and recommend actions for optimization.
• Ensure timely and accurate preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements in accordance with GAAP and GASB standards.
• Develop and enforce internal controls, accounting policies, and procedures to ensure regulatory compliance and improve efficiency.
• Ensure compliance with federal and state requirements such as 2 CFR Part 200 (Uniform Guidance), FTA Circulars, and state reporting guidelines.
• Prepare and submit timely grant financial reports, reimbursement requests, and closeouts.
• Prepare and coordinate National Transit Database (NTD) reporting in accordance with FTA requirements.
• Identify and standardize ad-hoc reports, tools, and dashboards to increase productivity.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Position Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or related field.
• 7 years' progressive experience in finance and accounting or any equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Government accounting and/or knowledge of public transit finance preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong financial analysis, budgeting, forecasting, and financial modeling skills.
• Ability to apply accounting principles and internal controls to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Excellent presentation skills, including the ability to prepare and deliver clear, professional financial presentation to leadership, committees, and boards.
• Ability to interpret and apply federal, state, and grant funding requirements.
• Strong problem-solving, judgment, and decision-support skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines with a high level of accuracy.
• Strong collaboration and relationship-building skills across departments and partners.
• Ability to influence outcomes and support organizational initiatives without direct supervisory authority.
• Advanced computer skills, including Microsoft Excel for financial modeling, analysis, and forecasting, with Work, PowerPoint, and Outlook
• Experience using financial systems and ERP software for budgeting, reporting, and general ledger analysis.

Why Join Us?

• Comprehensive Benefits - Medical, dental, and vision plan options
• Retirement Plans - 10% employer contribution to 403(b) and access to a 457 plan
• Insurance Coverage - Employer paid Life, AD&D, short- and long-term disability
• Wellbeing Support - Employee assistance program, fitness center access, and gym membership reimbursement
• Free Transportation - Ride The Rapid at no cost with your employee badge (includes eligible dependents)
• Generous Paid Time Off - Vacation and sick time accrues monthly

The Rapid is an EEO Employer. Minorities, veterans, and women are encouraged to apply.

The Rapid is committed to employing people with disabilities and making reasonable accommodations for them. Let our recruiter know if you need an adjustment at any point during the application/interview process.