Controller

CEFO Advisors; City of Albany (NY); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Best Place to Work 2025

Hybrid work environment

Competitive compensation

Annual bonuses

Generous incentive program

Job summary

CEFO Advisors is seeking a Controller to serve as a trusted financial leader for multiple client organizations across nonprofit, healthcare, government, and education sectors.

The role involves strengthening financial visibility, improving processes, ensuring compliance, and building sustainable internal controls while leading accounting staff and collaborating with the CFO team to support strategic decisions.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of progressive accounting and financial leadership experience.
• Nonprofit accounting experience strongly preferred.
• Experience in healthcare, government, higher education, or grant-funded organizations will be considered
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills required.
• CPA designation is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Review financial information for accuracy and completeness.
• Manage month-end and year-end close processes.
• Record and review journal entries including payroll and depreciation.
• Develop and deliver financial reports and management reporting packages.
• Support CFOs with banking relationships and strategic initiatives.
• Assist with budgeting, forecasting, and audit preparation.

Skills

Advanced Excel

GAAP & Financial Reporting

Month-end Close

Staff Leadership

ERP/Accounting Systems

Tools

QuickBooks

Sage

ERP Systems

Job description

Controller | Client Advisory Services | CEFO Advisors

CEFO Advisors is a growing advisory firm built on strong relationships, practical thinking, and a high standard of client service. For over 12 years, we've supported organizations across the region by providing steady, experienced financial leadership when they need it most.

Our team is made up of professionals who value organization, follow-through, and being dependable partners to both clients and each other. We take pride in creating an environment that is structured, supportive, and flexible.

CEFO Advisors was proud to be named a 2025 Best Place to Work by the Albany Business Review, reflecting our commitment to a supportive and team-focused environment.

Position Overview

As a Controller at CEFO Advisors, you will serve as a trusted financial leader for multiple client organizations. While this role includes supporting nonprofit organizations, we recognize that valuable experience can come from a variety of complex accounting environments, including healthcare, government, higher education, grant-funded organizations, public accounting, construction, and other industries requiring strong financial oversight and compliance.

You will partner closely with executive leadership teams, finance committees, boards, and internal CEFO team members to strengthen financial visibility, improve processes, ensure compliance, and build sustainable operational infrastructure.

Managing accounting staff, improving workflows, strengthening internal controls, and bringing clarity to financial reporting are all part of the role. You'll collaborate with our CFO team to support strategic decision-making and help clients build stronger financial foundations for the future.

Please be aware due to the hybrid nature of this role, we request that candidates who apply are within 60 miles of Albany, NY as the role does require some light travel to clients in the Capital Region.

Job Responsibilities

• Review financial information and accounting activity for accuracy and completeness
• Manage and complete month-end and year-end close processes
• Record and review recurring journal entries, including payroll and depreciation
• Perform and review balance sheet reconciliations
• Develop and deliver meaningful financial reports and management reporting packages
• Prepare and maintain cash flow forecasts
• Identify inefficiencies and implement accounting best practices
• Develop, document, and improve accounting processes and internal controls
• Supervise, mentor, and support CEFO staff and client accounting personnel
• Assist with budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning activities
• Support CFOs with banking relationships, financing activities, and strategic initiatives
• Assist clients with audit preparation and coordination

Experience That Transfers Well to This Role

Candidates with experience in any of the following environments are encouraged to apply:

• Nonprofit organizations
• Healthcare systems and healthcare-related organizations
• Government or municipal entities
• Higher education institutions
• Grant-funded organizations
• Public accounting firms, particularly those providing Client Advisory Services (CAS)
• Construction and project-based accounting environments
• Multi-entity organizations with complex reporting structures

Who You Are

• You enjoy helping organizations succeed
• You thrive on bringing clarity to financial information
• You understand how accounting supports operational and strategic decision-making
• You possess strong attention to detail and organizational skills
• You approach challenges with a solutions-oriented mindset
• You are adaptable and comfortable working with multiple clients and priorities
• You are reliable, professional, and accountable
• You communicate complex financial information in a way that others can understand
• You value collaboration and client service
• You enjoy building relationships and becoming a trusted advisor

Qualifications

• 4+ years of progressive accounting and financial leadership experience
• Previous Controller, Assistant Controller, Accounting Manager, Finance Manager, or similar leadership experience preferred
• Nonprofit accounting experience strongly preferred
• Candidates with significant experience in healthcare, government, higher education, grant-funded organizations, public accounting, or similarly complex accounting environments will also be considered
• Strong understanding of GAAP and financial reporting
• Experience leading month-end close processes and preparing financial statements
• Experience managing staff and developing accounting processes
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills required
• Experience with QuickBooks, Sage products, and other ERP systems
• Ability to manage multiple clients and competing priorities
• Strong technology skills and comfort with cloud-based applications
• Experience with system implementation is a plus
• CPA designation is a plus
• Exceptional client service, communication, and relationship-building skills

Why CEFO Advisors?

• Named a 2025 Best Place to Work in the Albany Business Review, a direct reflection of feedback from our team
• Opportunity to work with a diverse portfolio of organizations and industries
• Collaborative team of accountants, controllers, and CFOs
• Meaningful client relationships with direct exposure to leadership teams and boards
• Variety in your work without sacrificing long-term client relationships
• Supportive, team-oriented culture focused on professional growth and development
• Flexible work environment that promotes work-life balance
• Opportunity to make a meaningful impact within the communities served by our clients
• Competitive compensation based on experience
• Generous incentive program
• Annual bonuses based on company performance