Controller

Bell & Associates, Inc.; Detroit (MI); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Bell & Associates, Inc. is recruiting a seasoned Controller to lead our nonprofit client's accounting and financial reporting.

The role sits at the center of governance, working closely with senior leadership, program managers, grant funders, auditors, and lenders to safeguard resources. The successful candidate will manage fund accounting, GAAP compliance, budgeting, cash flow, and external reporting, driving strong financial controls and strategic stewardship across the organization and its

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field is required.
• CPA or Master's degree preferred.
• 5+ years of progressive accounting/finance leadership, Controller level.
• Nonprofit accounting experience with fund accounting and grant accounting.
• Experience leading an accounting/finance team of 5+.
• Strong GAAP, budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis.
• Strong internal controls, compliance, and risk management.
• Excellent analytical, communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills.
• High integrity, accountability, discretion, and mission commitment.

Responsibilities

• Oversee accounting and financial reporting for the organization and affiliates.
• Manage monthly close, GL, reconciliations, payables/receivables, payroll, cash, and financial statements.
• Ensure reporting complies with GAAP and nonprofit standards.
• Oversee fund accounting for restricted/unrestricted funds.
• Lead annual budgeting and forecasting with variance analysis.
• Provide senior leadership with timely financial reporting and analysis.
• Manage cash flow, banking relationships, liquidity.
• Oversee annual financial statement audit and coordinate with auditors/tax advisors.
• Prepare Form 990 and other regulatory reports.
• Establish internal controls, policies, procedures to ensure compliance and minimize risk.
• Partner with program/operational leaders to monitor performance and program financial impact.
• Lead and develop accounting/finance team of ~8 employees.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes and systems.

Skills

Nonprofit accounting

Fund accounting

Grant management

Leadership

Financial reporting

GAAP knowledge

Budgeting & forecasting

Internal controls

Analytical skills

Communication

Education

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

CPA or Master's degree

Job description

Bell & Associates has been engaged to help our client recruit a Controller to provide financial leadership for a well-established nonprofit organization and its affiliated entities. This is a highly visible role with significant interaction with the senior leadership, program leaders, employees, grant funders, banks, auditors, vendors, and other external stakeholders.

The Controller will oversee the organization's accounting, financial reporting, budgeting, cash management, and compliance functions while ensuring strong financial controls and stewardship of the organization's resources. The successful candidate will bring a strong understanding of nonprofit accounting, fund accounting, grant management, restricted and unrestricted funds, and financial reporting, along with the leadership presence to serve as a trusted financial partner to senior leadership.

Responsibilities

• Lead the accounting and financial reporting functions for the organization and affiliated entities
• Oversee the monthly close, general ledger, reconciliations, accounts payable/receivable, payroll accounting, cash management, and financial statement preparation
• Ensure financial reporting complies with GAAP and applicable nonprofit accounting standards
• Oversee fund accounting, including appropriate accounting for restricted, unrestricted, and program-specific funds
• Lead the annual budgeting and forecasting process, including budget-to-actual analysis and financial projections
• Provide senior leadership and the Executive Council with timely financial reporting, analysis, and recommendations to support strategic decision-making
• Manage cash flow, banking relationships, and overall financial liquidityli>
• Lead the annual financial statement audit and coordinate with external auditors and tax advisors
• Oversee preparation and support of Form 990 and other required regulatory and funding reports
• Establish and strengthen internal controls, accounting policies, and financial procedures to ensure compliance and minimize risk
• Partner with program and operational leaders to monitor financial performance, manage budgets, and evaluate the financial impact of new programs and initiatives
• Lead, mentor, and develop an accounting/finance team of approximately eight or more employees
• Identify opportunities to improve accounting processes, systems, reporting, and overall operating efficiency

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or related field required
• CPA or Master's degree preferred
• 5+ years of progressive accounting/finance leadership experience, including Controller-level or equivalent experience
• Nonprofit accounting experience: strong knowledge of fund accounting, restricted/unrestricted funds, grant accounting, and nonprofit financial reporting
• Experience managing an accounting/finance team of 5 or more
• Strong understanding of GAAP, budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis
• Strong knowledge of internal controls, compliance, and financial risk management
• Excellent analytical, communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills
• High level of integrity, accountability, discretion, and commitment to the organization's mission