Controller

Monterey College of Law; Arroyo Grande (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Monterey College of Law seeks a detail-oriented Controller to assist the CFO in directing financial operations for a nonprofit law school with a $6M operating budget. You will supervise accounting functions, ensure GAAP compliance, and support budgeting, forecasting, and audits.

The role emphasizes internal controls, cash management, and coordination with external auditors and tax filings. Relevant nonprofit/educational experience and CPA is preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or related field.
• Minimum 3 years of progressively responsible accounting or controller-level experience, preferably in nonprofit/educational or professional services.
• High discretion with confidential information; experience supervising staff.

Responsibilities

• Supervise day-to-day accounting operations: GL, AP, AR, payroll, reconciliations.
• Apply nonprofit GAAP for monthly/quarterly/annual statements.
• Assist CFO in budgeting, variance analysis, forecasting.
• Coordinate annual audit and Form 990 preparation with external auditors.
• Maintain internal controls and cash management; ensure regulatory compliance.
• Support HR/payroll interfaces with finance and 403(b) reporting.
• Oversee accounting software and systems maintenance; assist with month-end close.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

Nonprofit accounting

Payroll processing

Internal controls

Audit coordination

Financial reporting

Budgeting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting

CPA preferred

Tools

QuickBooks

Microsoft Excel

Financial software

Job description

Monterey College of Law seeks a detail-oriented and mission-driven Controller to join its finance team and assist its Chief Financial Officer in overseeing and directing the financial operations of the non-profit law school. MCL is a community-based law school with an annual operating budget of approximately $6 million, dedicated to providing a high-quality, accessible legal education to students who will become practitioners committed to professional excellence, integrity, and community service. The Controller will play a key role in safeguarding the College's financial integrity and supporting sound stewardship of its resources in service of that mission.

Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

• Supervise personnel conducting day-to-day accounting operations, including general ledger maintenance, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll processing, and bank and credit card reconciliations.
• Apply nonprofit accounting standards to ensure monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements are prepared in accordance with applicable Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Assist the CFO in developing, monitoring, and achieving the College's annual operating budget,including variance analysis and forecasting.
• Support preparation for and coordination of the annual independent audit, including preparation of audit schedules, supporting documentation, and liaison with external auditors.
• Assist with preparation of the College's Form 990 and other required non-profit tax and regulatory filings, working with outside accountants and other professionals as needed.
• Maintain internal controls over financial transactions, ensuring compliance with College policies, generally accepted accounting principles, and applicable state and federal regulations.
• Oversee cash management functions, including collections, monitoring cash flow, bank deposits, and reconciliation of operating and restricted accounts.
• Support the Manager of Student Finance and other professionals in conducting financial aid operations and related student financial records in coordination with the Registrar and Business offices.
• Monitor grant, scholarship, and restricted-fund accounting, including balance tracking, managing expenditures against budgets, and preparing financial reports for funders as required.
• Assist with the maintenance of the College's accounting software and financial systems, including troubleshooting, process improvements, and data integrity.
• Supervise journal entries, account reconciliations, and supporting schedules for month-end and year-end close processes in a timely manner.
• Assist the CFO in the preparation of materials for the Finance Committee and Board of Trustees, including financial reports, dashboards, and presentations.
• Support human resources and payroll functions as they intersect with finance, including benefits administration, payroll tax filings, and 403(b)/retirement plan reporting.
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations, including those specific to non-profit and higher education institutions.
• Assist with insurance renewals, vendor contract review, and procurement processes as needed.
• Perform other finance and accounting duties as assigned by the CFO/COO, President & CEO, or Vice President & Dean.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• A minimum of 3 years of progressively responsible accounting or controller-level experience, ideally within a non-profit, educational, or professional services organization.
• High degree of discretion and integrity in handling confidential financial, employee, and student information.
• Experience supervising employees and managing a team.

Desired Qualifications

• CPA license or progress toward CPA.
• Working knowledge of non-profit fund accounting, GAAP, and financial reporting requirements applicable to tax-exempt organizations.
• Experience supporting annual audits, Form 990 preparation, and interaction with external auditors and accountants.
• Proficiency with accounting and financial management software (e.g., QuickBooks or similar systems) and demonstrated Excel expertise; experience with student information or tuition management systems a plus.
• Project management capabilities and experience, collaborative mindset for multi-institutional partnerships, and a commitment to quality and timeliness.
• Ability to complete work unsupervised and as part of a team.
• Ability to handle multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines simultaneously.
• Technical skills and knowledge sufficient to support use and troubleshooting of standard office equipment, use of software such as Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, Google Education Suite, Zoom, etc., use of database and course management systems, and the ability to learn additional software and systems.
• Ability to learn new tasks, implement processes, maintain focus, complete tasks independently, make timely decisions in the context of a workflow, and complete tasks in situations that have a speed or productivity requirement.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing with a diverse population of individuals, including students, faculty, staff, attorneys, judges, and third parties.

Other Duties and Work Requirements

This job operates in a professional academic and office environment, in the employee's own vehicle, and at sites designated by the employer. Driving may be required as part of this position, so the Controller is required to have a safe vehicle, know how to operate it safely, and have a valid driver's license and insurance to complete assigned work tasks. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, and printers, and software as indicated and assigned. This position requires good manual dexterity, strength, coordination, and stamina.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.