Controller

Habitat; Clearwater, Northern (FL, KY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Habitat Tampa Bay Gulfside is seeking a hands-on Controller to lead accounting operations, month-end close, and financial reporting. You will oversee AR/AP, cash management, journal entries, and job costing while ensuring GAAP compliance and strong internal controls.

The role partners with department heads and reports to the CFO, supporting audits, grants management, and strategic financial insights for decision-making in a nonprofit construction context.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or related field required.
• CPA or CMA preferred.
• Minimum 5-7 years of progressive accounting experience, including supervisory or management responsibilities.
• Experience in nonprofit accounting, fund accounting, or construction accounting preferred.
• Demonstrated understanding of GAAP and strong internal control principles.
• Experience preparing or supporting external audits and IRS Form 990 filings.

Responsibilities

• Oversee accounting operations including receivables, payables, cash management, cost accounting and the general ledger.
• Lead monthly close, prepare journal entries, reconciliations and close schedules.
• Prepare financial statements and variance analyses for management.
• Oversee mortgage/escrow processes, grants and fund accounting related activities.
• Manage job costing and construction-in-process entries with construction partners.
• Strengthen internal controls and ensure GAAP compliance; coordinate with audits and IRS filings.
• Identify process improvements and optimize financial systems (Sage Intacct, Bill.com, Paylocity).
• Supervise accounting staff and support CFO on strategic initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

Financial analysis

Internal controls

Communication

GAAP knowledge

Audit support

Education

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or related field

CPA or CMA preferred

Tools

Sage Intacct

Bill.com

Paylocity

Excel

Job description

Description

Classification

Full-time, Exempt, Salary

Remote: No

Reports to:

Chief Financial Officer

Summary/Objective:

The Controller leads the organization’s accounting operations, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and strong internal controls. This is a hands-on role that both oversees and performs daily accounting activities, month-end close, financial reporting, audits, budgeting support, and process improvements. The Controller partners across departments and provides financial insights to support the CFO with strategic decision-making.

Duties/Responsibilities:

Financial Operations & Oversight

• Oversee accounting functions including receivables, payables, cash management, cost accounting, and the general ledger.
• Provide hands-on accounting support by posting cash disbursements and deposits and assisting with other transaction processing as needed to support the team.
• Ensure timely and accurate processing of deposits, mortgage activity, ACH/wires, and NSF items.
• Prepare mortgage remittances and supporting documentation and submit them to the Vice President of Mortgage Servicing for review and payment to the banks.
• Maintain the chart of accounts and oversee new accounts and project code setup.
• Review and approve disbursements, including AP, purchase orders, expense reports, and purchase cards.
• Provide oversight of mortgage/escrow processes.

Financial Reporting & Analysis

• Lead and actively participate in the monthly close, including preparing and posting journal entries, reconciling accounts, reviewing supporting schedules, and completing other close activities as needed.
• Prepare accurate financial statements and monthly reporting packages, including budget-to-actual results and variance analysis.
• Provide financial analysis to support operational and strategic decisions.
• Ensure proper revenue recognition and accounting treatment for grants, contributions, pledges, home sales, and other funding arrangements.

Cost Accounting & Construction Financials

• Oversee job costing and construction-in-process entries.
• Partner with Construction on project budgets, bid reviews, and monitoring job performance.

Internal Controls, Compliance & Audit

• Strengthen and maintain internal controls and ensure compliance with GAAP and regulations.
• Partner with the Compliance Manager to review grant agreements, government funding documents, and related requirements; understand the terms and conditions of each funding source; and ensure funding is recorded with the correct accounting treatment, including identifying loans, forgivable loans, grants, and other obligations.
• Lead annual audit and IRS Form 990 preparation.
• Ensure complete and accurate financial documentation.

Process Improvement & Systems Management

• Identify and implement process improvements and automation opportunities.
• Oversee financial systems (Sage Intacct, Bill.com, Paylocity), including training and optimization.
• Ensure cross-training of department staff.

Leadership & Team Development

• Supervise and develop accounting staff.
• Promote a collaborative, mission-driven team environment focused on accuracy, transparency, and improvement.

Other Duties

• Support the CFO with special projects and strategic initiatives.
• Perform additional responsibilities as assigned.

Competencies

• Strong leadership and team-building capabilities
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills
• High integrity and commitment to confidentiality
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to explain financial concepts to non-financial staff
• Strong organization and time-management
• Self-directed and accountable, with the initiative and sound judgment to independently manage responsibilities, resolve issues, and move work forward with minimal supervision
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and accounting systems (Sage Intacct, Bill.com, Paylocity preferred)

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job in an office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, and fax machines.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands, reach with hands/arms, listen, and communicate. The employee must be capable of lifting and/or moving up to 15 pounds on a necessary basis and will occasionally be required to stand and walk for extended periods of time consistent with a typical office environment.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time hourly compensated position working approximately 40 hours a week Monday through Friday. Flexibility is necessary for occasional attendance at evening meetings, and preparation for special events.

Education, Experience and Attributes

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or related field required
• CPA or CMA preferred
• Minimum 5-7 years of progressive accounting experience, including supervisory or management responsibilities
• Experience in nonprofit accounting, fund accounting, or construction accounting preferred
• Demonstrated understanding of GAAP and strong internal control principles
• Experience preparing or supporting external audits and IRS Form 990 filings.

Other Duties

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

Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside (TBG) actively recruits, employs, trains, and compensates employees regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetics, or veteran status. In addition to federal law requirements, Habitat TBG complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including workplace harassment.

At Habitat TBG, we have a clear vision to be the place where a diverse mix of talented people want to come, stay, and do their best work. Our vision is to see a world where everyone has a safe, affordable place to live, and we know our organization runs on the hard work and dedication of our passionate and creative employees. Our dedication to promoting diversity, multiculturalism, and inclusion is clearly reflected in the work that we do externally in the community, as well as internally with our employment practices.