Controller

Providence High School; Burbank (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 167,000; Full time

Job summary

Providence High School in Burbank, CA seeks a Controller to lead financial operations, ensure GAAP compliance, and manage the accounting team. The role partners with the CFOO and cross‑functionally with Advancement, Enrollment, and Budget Managers to safeguard assets and deliver accurate financial reporting.

Responsibilities include closing, dashboards, endowment accounting, and donor-restricted funds, with a focus on process improvements and automation using ERP systems such as Blackbaud/NXT.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of progressive accounting or financial management experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• MBA or CPA strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in a Controller role.
• Experience supporting $20M+ annual budgets.
• GAAP and nonprofit accounting standards experience.
• Internal controls and audit preparation experience.
• Experience in independent schools or nonprofit sectors preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee reconciliation of all accounts to the general ledger, accounts payable/receivable, balance sheet reconciliations, and cash management.
• Ensure timely monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements per GAAP and nonprofit standards.
• Prepare dashboards, budget vs. actuals, and detailed financial reports for leadership and board.
• Maintain integrity of financial records, schedules, and reconciliations.
• Design and strengthen internal controls to safeguard assets.
• Support audit schedules and regulatory filings with CFOO and external advisors.
• Oversee restricted and endowment accounting and donor reporting.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

Internal controls

Financial reporting

Team leadership

Stakeholder communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

MBA/CPA strongly preferred

Tools

Blackbaud/NXT

Job description

Providence High Schoolis a diverse, mission-inspired community dedicated to preparing young people to thrive in a rapidly changing world. As an independent Catholic school in Burbank, California, we promote the common good and foster a culture of impact to fulfill our mission to be “steadfast in serving all, especially those who are poor and vulnerable.”Providence serves an ethnically diverse student population who live within 75 different zip codes.

Founded by the Sisters of Providence in 1955, Providence High School is the only school in the country that is part of a multi-state health care system. We are governed by an independent Board of Regents and accredited by the California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS), the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), and the Western Catholic Education Association (WCEA). Other memberships and affiliations include the National Association of Independent Schools, Independent School Management, SoCal People of Color in Independent Schools, California Teacher Development Collaborative, and Making Caring Common of the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

POSITION TITLE

Controller

REPORTS TO

Chief Financial & Operations Officer

SUPERVISES

FLSA STATUS

Full-Time, Exempt

Hybrid

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

The Controller is a financial leader responsible for the accuracy, integrity, and day-to-day execution of the school’s financial operations, reporting directly to the Chief Financial & Operations Officer (CFOO), directly managing the Accounting Supervisor, and working cross-functionally with Advancement, Enrollment, and Budget Managers. The Controller ensures that all accounting, financial reporting, and internal control systems meet the highest standards of fiduciary responsibility for an institution with an annual operating budget of $20+ million. This role requires a proven track record of enhancing, automating, and optimizing accounting and finance processes, including technical expertise in ERP systems.

The Controller brings exceptional attention to detail, deep technical accounting expertise, consistency and clarity in communication, serving as the CFOO’s primary partner in maintaining financial excellence, regulatory compliance, and institutional trust

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

• Overseereconciliationofallaccounts to the general ledger,accounts payable, accounts receivable,balance sheet reconciliations,and cash management functions.
• Ensuretimelyandaccuratemonthly, quarterly, and annual financial statementsin accordance withGAAP and nonprofit accounting standards.
• Preparedashboards, budget v. actuals, anddetailed financial reports for the CFOO, leadership, and Board committees.
• Maintain the integrity of all financial records, schedules, and reconciliations.

Internal Controls & Fiduciary Integrity

• Design, implement, and continuously strengthen internal controls to safeguard institutional assets.
• Ensure segregation of duties, approval workflows, and documentation standards across all financial processes.
• Monitor compliance with internal policies, donor restrictions, and Board-approved financial practices.
• Serve as a key guardian of fiduciary discipline across the institution.

Audit & Compliance

• Ensuretimelycompletion of audit schedules, confirmations, and required disclosures.
• Support preparation of Form 990 and other regulatory filings in partnership with the CFOO and external advisors.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local financial and tax regulations applicable to independent schools and nonprofit organizations.

Budget Support & Financial Operations

• Support the CFOO in annual budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis.
• Monitor budget-to-actual performance andidentifydiscrepancies or emerging issues.
• Partner withleadershipto ensureaccurateexpense coding and financial accountability.

Restricted Funds & Endowment Accounting

• Oversee accounting for restricted, temporarily restricted, and unrestricted funds.
• Ensureaccuratetracking and reporting of endowed funds, capitalcontributions, and donor-restricted contributions.
• Partner with Advancement and the CFOOto ensure compliance with gift agreements and donor intent.
• Maintain andoptimizefinancial systems, including ERP/accounting platforms(Blackbaud/NXT),reporting tools, and p-cards.
• Lead process improvements to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and transparency.
• Ensure consistent financial procedures acrossBudget Managers, departments, and programs.
• Support documentation and training related to financial policies and procedures.
• Learnnew technology, including AI, to automate functions
• Supervise and mentor accounting and finance staff.
• Foster a culture of professionalism, accountability,teamwork,service, and continuous improvement.
• Collaborate closely withFacilities, IT,Human Resources,Safety andSecurity,Advancement, and Academicleadership.
• Serve as a trusted internal resource for financial questions and guidance.
• Communicate effectively with families, with consistency, clarity, and compassion.

EXPERIENCE

Required Experience

• 6+ years of progressive accounting orfinancial managementexperience.
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field
• MBA/CPA strongly preferred
• Demonstrated experience in a Controller role
• Proven responsibility for financial operations supporting $20M+ annual budgets.
• Extensive hands-on experience with:
• GAAP and nonprofit accounting standards
• Month-end and year-end close processes
• Internal controls and audit preparation
• Financial reporting and reconciliations

Preferred Experience

• Experience in an independent school, higher education, nonprofit, or similarly complex mission-driven organization.
• Experience working closely with a CFOO and supporting Board-level reporting.
• Familiarity with tuition-driven revenue models, financial aid accounting, andinvestment/endowmentreporting.

SALARY RANGE

The annual salary range for this position is $150k - $167k. *Final compensation within this range will be determined based on the candidate’s years of relevant experience, education, and internal equity considerations. Please note that compensation will be prorated based on the employee’s date of hire and Department of Labor (DOL) classification, including but not limited to full-time, part-time, exempt, or non-exempt status. All compensation is subject to applicable deductions and withholdings in accordance with federal, state, and local laws. Nothing in this job posting shall be construed as a guarantee of any specific wage, benefit, or term of employment.

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties and skills required of employees so classified.

Work Environment

At Providence High School, equity, inclusion, and social justice are core to our mission. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and embrace difference for the benefit of our students, families, faculty, and staff. Our goal is to create a diverse learning community where every employee is known, cared for, supported, and retained. As such, Providence is committed to maintaining a responsive and inclusive workplace free of discrimination, harassment, violence, and any other abusive conduct. Mindful of our mission to be expressions of God's healing love, we employ and support people of any race, ancestry or national origin, gender, gender expression, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, age, religion, disability, veteran or military status, citizenship, or any other applicable legally protected status with all the rights and privileges generally accorded or made available to all employees of the school.