Controller

J2T Recruiting; Denver (CO); Hybrid; USD 108,000 - 132,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement plan with 8% employer match

Excellent health benefits

Generous time off

Hybrid schedule

Job summary

J2T Recruiting presents an opportunity with a statewide philanthropic foundation in the Denver area. As Controller you will be the CFO’s financial partner, overseeing the day-to-day operations, month-end close, fund accounting, reconciliations, audits, and detailed budgeting analyses.

You will supervise a staff accountant, manage payroll and investments, drive process improvements, and translate complex numbers for non-finance stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 5+ years of progressive accounting and finance experience with supervision.
• Advanced Excel capabilities with pivot tables and complex formulas.
• Experience owning month-end close and audit processes.
• Excellent written and spoken communication for diverse stakeholders.
• Strong internal controls and ethical standards.
• Nonprofit fund accounting experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day accounting operations including full-cycle closes.
• Supervise staff accountant and collaborate with cross-functional teams.
• Oversee payroll and manage investment fund reconciliations.
• Lead operational projects including software transitions and strategic plan rollouts.
• Serve as CFO’s backup and ensure financial continuity.

Skills

Advanced Excel

Strong communication skills

People supervision

Nonprofit fund accounting familiarity

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field

Job description

• Join an influential statewide community foundation with over $40M in assets.
• Be part of a mission-driven statewide philanthropic foundation advancing gender, racial, and economic equity for women and families across Colorado through philanthropy, research, and advocacy.
• Enjoy a supportive culture that invests heavily in staff development, strengths-based leadership, and modern AI tools.
• Generous time off and exceptional perks, including a retirement plan with an 8% employer match and excellent health benefits.

Why this job – CONTROLLER:

Join this thriving statewide philanthropic foundation as Controller and serve as a key financial partner to the CFO, with meaningful ownership of the Foundation’s day-to-day financial operations. This highly visible role will lead the month-end close, fund and investment accounting, reconciliations, audit coordination, and the preparation of detailed supporting schedules and analyses for the annual budget and financial reporting. The Controller will also play an important role in maintaining strong financial processes and internal controls and translating financial information for non-finance stakeholders, including Board members, donors, staff, and colleagues. For a strong accounting professional who enjoys solving problems, taking ownership, and working collaboratively, this is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact within a respected statewide foundation.

What You’ll Actually Do:

• Manage all day-to-day accounting operations, including full-cycle monthly, quarterly, and year-end closes, annual budgets, and audit preparations.
• Supervise and mentor a Staff Accountant while maintaining collaborative working relationships with cross-functional teams and external partners.
• Oversee payroll administration and manage investment portfolio and fund reconciliations.
• Lead future high-impact operational projects, including evaluating software transitions and contributing to new strategic plan rollouts.
• Serve as the CFO’s primary backup, providing leadership and continuity as needed.

To Be Successful in This Role, You Will Need:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• 5+ years of progressive accounting and finance experience, with proven supervision skills.
• Advanced Excel capabilities (pivot tables, complex formulas, and schedule modeling).
• Hands-on experience owning the month-end close cycle and managing client-side audit processes.
• Exceptional communication skills with the ability to translate financial data into plain language for non-finance colleagues, board members, and donors.
• High degree of intellectual honesty, discretion, and strong alignment with the Foundation's mission.
• Experience with non-profit/foundation fund accounting is a major plus but not required.

Where and How Much:

• Target Compensation: Up to $120K, depending on experience.
• Hybrid Schedule: 3 days in-office (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday).
• University Hills area, Denver, CO
• 3 weeks PTO plus an extensive holiday package, retirement plan with an 8% employer match and excellent health benefits.