Controller

People Architects; Cleveland (OH); On-site; USD 120,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision coverage

PTO and 14 paid holidays

12 weeks of paid parental leave

Employer-paid life insurance

Long-term disability

Retirement benefits

Tuition reimbursement

Employee assistance program

Onsite parking

Wellness and voluntary benefit options

Job summary

People Architects, a nonprofit housing and community development organization, in Cleveland seeks a hands-on Controller to modernize financial operations for a multi-entity enterprise. Reporting to the CFO, the Controller will guide an approximately 18-person accounting department through a major systems and process transformation.

The role focuses on strengthening controls, delivering timely financial reporting, and partnering across the organization to support growth and change with a culture

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a related field.
• Seven or more years of progressively responsible experience in accounting and financial management.
• Nonprofit accounting experience strongly preferred. Candidates from another sector must demonstrate a clear understanding of and commitment to nonprofit financial stewardship.
• Demonstrated experience implementing, converting, or significantly improving an enterprise accounting system (Blackbaud Financial Edge NXT, Sage Intacct preferred; Yardi and Ramp a plus).

Responsibilities

• Direct daily accounting operations, including the general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, grants accounting, cash management, reconciliations, and close activities.
• Ensure accurate and timely monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements, management reports, forecasts, and variance analyses for the organization and its affiliates.
• Lead the integration of new programs, entities, funding streams, and business activities into the accounting infrastructure.
• Modernize and standardize accounting processes, reduce manual and paper-based work, and create efficient workflows that can scale with the organization.
• Lead the preparation and coordination of audits and Form 990 filings for the organization and its affiliates.
• Maintain compliance with applicable accounting standards, financial laws, grant requirements, lending and CDFI expectations, and nonprofit and affordable housing industry guidelines.

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a related field

CPA designation, active or inactive

Job description

A prominent nonprofit housing and community development organization is seeking a hands-on, forward-looking Controller to help modernize the financial operations of a complex, multi-entity enterprise. Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, the Controller will lead core accounting operations, strengthen financial reporting and controls, and guide an accounting department of approximately 18 professionals through a significant period of systems and process transformation.

This is an opportunity to do more than maintain the accounting function. The Controller will help move the organization from labor-intensive, paper-based practices to an integrated, paperless environment; restore reliable and timely financial information for organizational leaders; and build a strong team culture grounded in collaboration, accountability, and service. The successful candidate will be equally comfortable setting direction, solving difficult accounting problems, and working alongside the team to move critical work forward.

The Position

The Controller is responsible for the integrity, timeliness, and effectiveness of the organization's core financial operations, including the general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, grants accounting, cash management, financial reporting, audit, and tax functions. The Controller will supervise three managers and provide leadership and development for the broader accounting team.

Working closely with the CFO and leaders across the organization, the Controller will establish stronger systems, processes, controls, and service standards while supporting continued growth and organizational change.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Operations and Reporting

• Direct daily accounting operations, including the general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, grants accounting, cash management, reconciliations, and close activities.
• Ensure accurate and timely monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements, management reports, forecasts, and variance analyses for the organization and its affiliates.

Systems Processes and Controls

• Support the integration of new programs, entities, funding streams, and business activities into the accounting infrastructure.
• Modernize and standardize accounting processes, reduce manual and paper-based work, and create efficient workflows that can scale with the organization.

Audit Compliance and Risk Management

• Lead the preparation and coordination of audits and Form 990 filings for the organization and its affiliates.
• Maintain compliance with applicable accounting standards, financial laws, grant requirements, lending and CDFI expectations, and nonprofit and affordable housing industry guidelines.

Team Leadership and Organizational Partnership

• Lead, coach, and develop three direct-report managers and the broader accounting team, including hiring, onboarding, performance management, delegation, and succession development.
• Establish clear priorities, responsibilities, and performance expectations while helping long-tenured and newer team members adapt to new systems and ways of working.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a related field required; CPA designation, active or inactive, preferred.
• Seven or more years of progressively responsible experience in accounting and financial management.
• Nonprofit accounting experience strongly preferred. Candidates from another sector must demonstrate a clear understanding of and commitment to nonprofit financial stewardship.
• Demonstrated experience implementing, converting, or significantly improving an enterprise accounting system required. Blackbaud Financial Edge NXT or Sage Intacct experience preferred; Yardi and Ramp experience a plus.
• Experience supervising and developing accounting professionals, including managers and individual contributors.
• Experience with federal grants, affordable housing, LIHTC, real estate, lending, or CDFI operations preferred.
• Proven ability to improve systems and processes, manage change, and move work from analysis to implementation.

Leadership Attributes

• Clear and credible communicator who builds relationships, influences effectively, and works well across departments.
• Analytical, organized, and decisive, with the ability to identify root causes and solve complex problems.
• Strong technical grounding in accounting, finance, and management principles.
• Skilled team developer who can lead, mentor, and coach staff through change.
• High integrity, sound judgment, and a strong sense of ownership and accountability.
• Collaborative and diplomatic, with the adaptability to lead through ambiguity and differing levels of readiness for change.

Compensation and Benefits

The anticipated base salary range is $120,000 to $140,000, depending on qualifications and experience. The organization offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage; paid time off and 14 paid holidays, including a floating holiday; 12 weeks of paid parental leave; employer-paid basic life insurance and long-term disability; retirement benefits; tuition reimbursement; an employee assistance program; onsite parking; and additional wellness and voluntary benefit options.