Controller

Arrupe Jesuit High School; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Arrupe Jesuit High School in Denver, CO seeks a Controller to lead the day-to-day financial operations, own the general ledger, month-end close, payroll, audits, and financial reporting to the Finance Committee and Board of Trustees. This is a hands-on leadership role in a mission-driven nonprofit environment.

The successful candidate will modernize the Business Office, strengthen internal controls, optimize the cloud-based accounting platform (QuickBooks Online), develop dashboards, and provide

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a related field.
• Five or more years of progressively responsible accounting experience, including full-cycle general ledger and month-end close ownership.
• Strong command of GAAP and experience with the annual audit process.
• Proficiency with accounting software and advanced spreadsheet skills, with comfort learning and implementing new financial systems.
• Demonstrated accuracy, discretion, and sound judgment when handling confidential financial information.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills, with the ability to explain financial information clearly to non-financial audiences.
• Experience working within Google Workspace, including Google Sheets and Google Docs.

Responsibilities

• Own the general ledger and chart of accounts, ensuring accurate and timely recording of transactions in GAAP and nonprofit accounting standards.
• Manage accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash management, and banking relationships.
• Reconcile balance sheet accounts monthly, including bank, investment, and CWSP receivable accounts.
• Oversee restricted and unrestricted fund accounting, grant tracking, and proper release of restrictions.
• Lead an efficient month-end and year-end close process.
• Serve as the primary liaison for the annual external audit and Form 990 preparation, coordinating schedules and workpapers.
• Maintain and strengthen internal controls, accounting policies, and segregation-of-duties safeguards.
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local filing and reporting requirements, including payroll tax and nonprofit obligations.
• Prepare timely financial statements and reporting packages for the President, Finance Committee, and Board of Trustees.
• Deliver budgeting, forecasting, and multi-year scenario planning in partnership with school leadership.
• Stabilize and optimize the school's cloud-based accounting platform (QuickBooks Online).
• Develop and maintain financial dashboards and KPIs for leadership and Finance Committee reporting.
• Partner with IT and department leaders to integrate financial and operational data.
• Identify opportunities to automate, simplify, and improve Business Office workflows.
• Oversee accurate and timely payroll processing and coordinate employee benefits administration.
• Coordinate CWSP billing, collections, and revenue recognition for partner accounts.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

Payroll processing

Financial reporting

Budgeting

Excellent communication

Education

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

CPA or CMA designation

Tools

QuickBooks Online

Excel

Google Sheets

Google Docs

Job description

Arrupe Jesuit High School is a Catholic, college preparatory school offering students with limited economic resources a premier educational experience through rigorous academics, formation in faith and discernment, and a unique work-study program – fostering community, opportunity leadership, and personal growth. Our goal is to empower graduates who will continue their education and return as leaders in their communities.

ABOUT ARRUPE

As a member of the Cristo Rey Network, Arrupe pairs its rigorous academic program with an innovative Corporate Work Study Program (CWSP), through which every student works to help fund their own education while gaining professional experience. Supported by 135+ corporate partners and a committed community of benefactors, Arrupe has achieved 100% college acceptance for 19 consecutive graduating classes.

The Corporate Work Study earned-revenue model, philanthropic support, and mission-driven stewardship make sound financial management central to the school’s ability to serve its students. The Controller is a key steward of that mission.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Controller leads the day-to-day financial operations of Arrupe Jesuit High School and serves as its senior accounting professional. Reporting to the President and serving on the President’s Leadership Team, the Controller is responsible for the school's general ledger, month-end close, payroll, audit preparation, and financial reporting to the Finance Committee and Board of Trustees.

The Controller also plays a key role in continuing the modernization of the Business Office, strengthening internal controls, optimizing the school's cloud-based accounting platform, and developing financial reporting and dashboards that provide school leadership with timely, accurate information for decision-making.

This is a hands-on finance leadership role for a careful steward and thoughtful modernizer who can maintain strong accounting practices while improving systems and processes in a small, collaborative, mission-driven environment.

Accounting & Financial Operations

• Own the general ledger and chart of accounts, ensuring accurate and timely recording of transactions in accordance with GAAP and nonprofit accounting standards.
• Manage accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash management, and banking relationships.
• Reconcile balance sheet accounts monthly, including bank, investment, and Corporate Work Study receivable accounts.
• Oversee restricted and unrestricted fund accounting, grant tracking, and proper release of restrictions.

Month-End Close, Audit & Compliance

• Lead an efficient, well-documented month-end and year-end close process.
• Serve as the primary liaison for the annual external audit and Form 990 preparation, coordinating schedules, workpapers, and requests.
• Maintain and strengthen internal controls, accounting policies, and segregation-of-duties safeguards appropriate to a small Business Office.
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local filing and reporting requirements, including payroll tax and nonprofit obligations.

Board & Finance Committee Reporting

• Prepare timely, accurate, and informative financial statements and reporting packages for the President, Finance Committee, and Board of Trustees.
• Deliver financial reporting that supports substantive committee-level discussion and strategic decision-making.
• Lead budget development, forecasting, and multi-year scenario planning in partnership with school leadership.
• Stabilize and optimize the school's cloud-based accounting platform, QuickBooks Online, including completing remaining transition and parallel-operation steps.
• Continue developing and maintaining financial dashboards and key performance indicators for leadership and Finance Committee reporting.
• Partner with IT and department leaders, including Development and Corporate Work Study, to integrate financial and operational data.
• Identify opportunities to automate, simplify, and improve Business Office workflows.
• Oversee accurate and timely payroll processing and coordinate employee benefits administration with appropriate providers.
• Coordinate with the Corporate Work Study Program on billing, collections, and revenue recognition for partner accounts.
• Track and report on CWSP earned revenue, renewal rates, and placement-driven projections to support budgeting and forecasting.
• Oversee the Senior Accountant, providing clear direction and regular feedback while maintaining appropriate quality control.
• Monitor the school's investment portfolios and coordinate with external investment managers, the President, and Finance Committee in accordance with Board-approved investment policies.

CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS

Required

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a related field.
• Five or more years of progressively responsible accounting experience, including full-cycle general ledger and month-end close ownership.
• Strong command of GAAP and experience with the annual audit process.
• Proficiency with accounting software and advanced spreadsheet skills, with comfort learning and implementing new financial systems.
• Demonstrated accuracy, discretion, and sound judgment when handling confidential financial information.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills, with the ability to explain financial information clearly to non-financial audiences.
• Experience working within Google Workspace, including Google Sheets and Google Docs.

Preferred

• CPA or CMA designation.
• Nonprofit and/or fund accounting experience, including familiarity with independent-school or Cristo Rey/work-study financial models.
• Familiarity with endowment issues and operations.
• Direct experience with QuickBooks Online or a comparable cloud accounting platform.
• Experience building financial dashboards, KPI reporting, or board-level reporting packages.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This position is performed in a professional office setting and requires prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer (approximately 80–90% of the time). The role involves frequent use of standard office equipment such as computers, phones, printers, and filing systems. Occasional standing, walking, and light lifting (up to 15 pounds) may be required. The noise level is typically low to moderate. This position may require occasional travel between district sites or attendance at evening meetings or events.

CONTACT US