BWH Controller

Bournewood Health Systems; Brookline (MA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Bournewood Health Systems in Brookline, MA seeks a Controller to direct all accounting operations for a behavioral health hospital. You will oversee GAAP compliance, financial reporting, budgeting, treasury, payroll, and reimbursement to support strategic decision-making and regulatory adherence.

You will partner with executive leadership to maximize reimbursement, ensure internal controls, and deliver timely analyses for ownership, lenders, auditors, and CHIA/CMS reporting requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration required.
• Five years of progressive accounting leadership experience.
• Three years of hospital finance experience.
• Behavioral health hospital experience preferred.
• MBA, MHA, or CPA preferred.

Responsibilities

• Direct accounting operations including the general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash management, payroll, fixed assets, bank reconciliations, journal entries, and month-end close.
• Ensure GAAP compliance and timely financial reporting.
• Prepare monthly financial statements and variance analyses for leadership, lenders, auditors, and regulators.
• Lead the annual operating and capital budgeting process and cash flow forecasting.
• Oversee revenue cycle—billing, reimbursement, AR, collections, denials, and adjustments.
• Coordinate external audits and regulatory reporting.
• Develop internal controls and drive process improvements.
• Partner with executive leadership for strategic financial analysis.

Skills

Healthcare accounting

Budgeting & forecasting

Revenue cycle management

Financial reporting

Internal controls

Regulatory compliance

Leadership

Communication

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration

MBA

CPA or related certification (preferred)

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Accounting software (ERP)

Job description

The Controller is responsible for directing and overseeing all accounting, financial reporting, budgeting, treasury, payroll, reimbursement, and financial compliance functions of the hospital. This position ensures the integrity of the hospital's financial operations through strong internal controls, timely financial reporting, regulatory compliance, and strategic financial analysis. The Controller partners closely with executive leadership to support operational decision-making, maintain fiscal stability, maximize reimbursement, and ensure compliance with federal, state, and accreditation requirements applicable to behavioral health hospitals.Financial LeadershipDirect all accounting operations including the general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash management, payroll, fixed assets, bank reconciliations, journal entries, and month-end/year-end close.Ensure compliance with GAAP.Prepare monthly financial statements and variance analyses.Prepare reports for executive leadership, ownership, lenders, auditors, and regulatory agencies.Provide strategic financial analysis.Budgeting and ForecastingLead the annual operating and capital budgeting process.Prepare forecasts and cash flow projections.Monitor budget performance and recommend corrective actions.Revenue Cycle OversightProvide oversight of patient billing, reimbursement, accounts receivable, collections, denials, contractual adjustments, and revenue integrity.Partner with Revenue Cycle leadership to improve reimbursement and cash flow.Behavioral Health ReimbursementMaintain expertise in Medicare, MassHealth, managed care, commercial reimbursement, behavioral health payment methodologies, supplemental payment programs, and hospital cost reporting.Regulatory ComplianceEnsure compliance with GAAP, CMS Conditions of Participation, Medicare Cost Reporting, MassHealth requirements, DMH requirements, CHIA reporting requirements, IRS requirements, payroll regulations, Joint Commission standards, and HIPAA requirements applicable to financial operations.Oversee all financial reporting required by the Massachusetts Center for Health Information and Analysis (CHIA), including the preparation, review, and timely submission of annual financial statements, hospital financial and utilization data, and other required reports. Maintain compliance with all CHIA reporting requirements and collaborate with internal departments and external consultants to ensure the accuracy, completeness, and timely submission of required data.Coordinate external audits and governmental financial reviews.Internal ControlsDevelop and monitor internal controls over cash, purchasing, approvals, segregation of duties, financial policies, and fraud prevention.Recommend process improvements.Cash ManagementMonitor daily cash position.Manage banking relationships.Prepare cash flow forecasts.Ensure adequate liquidity.Payroll OversightOversee payroll operations and ensure compliance with Massachusetts wage and hour laws.LeadershipRecruit, supervise, mentor, and evaluate finance staff.Develop departmental goals and performance metrics.Operational SupportPartner with executive, clinical, HR, quality, revenue cycle, and IT leadership on strategic initiatives, service line development, staffing, and capital planning.Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration required.MBA, MHA, or CPA preferred.Five years of progressive accounting leadership experience.Three years of hospital finance experience.Behavioral health hospital experience preferred.Knowledge, Skills, and AbilitiesStrong knowledge of healthcare accounting, budgeting, forecasting, reimbursement, internal controls, audits, and hospital finance.Advanced Microsoft Excel and accounting software proficiency.Excellent analytical, communication, leadership, and organizational skills.Key Performance IndicatorsMonth-end close completed timely.Annual audit completed without material weaknesses.Timely Medicare and State Cost Report and CHIA submissions.Budget variances maintained within organizational targets.Revenue cycle and cash collection goals achieved.Strong internal control environment maintained.