Controller

Pawnee Mental Health Services; Manhattan (KS); On-site; USD 100,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical & Vision Insurance through BC/

Dental Insurance

KPERS retirement

Life Insurance

Paid holidays

Generous PTO

Paid medical leave

EAP

Supplemental benefits

Job summary

Pawnee Mental Health Services is seeking an experienced finance leader to manage all agency accounting, close processes, and financial reporting. This role ensures GAAP compliance, strong internal controls, and timely financial analyses for executive leadership and governing boards.

The position oversees audit coordination, cost reporting, cash management, budgeting, and collaboration with revenue cycle and program leaders. Healthcare experience is preferred and CPA is a plus.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or related field.
• CPA certification is preferred.
• Minimum five years of progressively responsible accounting experience.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all agency accounting and accounts payable in line with GAAP and internal controls.
• Lead monthly and year-end close, journal entries, and issue resolution.
• Prepare monthly/annual financial statements and supporting analyses for leadership and boards.
• Monitor accounting policy effectiveness and risk controls; drive process improvements.
• Direct annual audit coordination and respond to external auditors’ requests.
• Oversee cost reporting (including CCBHC) and fixed asset accounting.
• Manage cash, banking, forecasting, and financial modeling.
• Collaborate with Revenue Cycle and agency leaders on revenue performance and AR.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

Financial reporting

Audit support

Budgeting

Excel

Leadership

Internal controls

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting/finance/business

CPA preferred

Tools

Sage Intacct

Job description

Description

Description

Who We Are

At Pawnee Mental Health, we take a great deal of pride in the services we offer, and the progress made by those we serve. All employees, regardless of their role, are an important part of our success! To help us achieve our mission, we’re looking for bright and talented people with great ideas. We believe individuals and families with mental health and/or substance use challenges should have the opportunity to lead normal, productive lives at home and in their communities.

What We Offer

Medical & Vision Insurance: Accessible plans to support your health needs offered through BCBS or Aetna.

Dental Insurance: 100% covered by Pawnee for employees.

Kansas Public Employee Retirement System (KPERS): Secure your future with KPERS retirement benefits - a lifetime pension program.

Other insurances: Life insurance coverage up to 150% of your annual income and long term disability insurance at NO COST.

Paid Holidays: Enjoy 8 paid holidays throughout the year.

Generous PTO: Start earning 10 hours of PTO per month (15 days/year), jumps to 24 days/year on your first anniversary.

Paid Medical Leave: Receive a 40-hour bank of paid medical leave.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Access support resources for your personal and professional life.

Supplemental benefits: Additional life insurance coverage, ambulance transportation, short term disability, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and more!

The Role You Play

• Manage all agency accounting and accounts payable functions, ensuring financial activities are completed accurately, timely, and in compliance with established policies, internal controls, regulatory requirements, and generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
  
• Lead and oversee the monthly and year-end close processes, including development and management of the close calendar, review and approval of journal entries, and timely resolution of outstanding accounting issues.
  
• Maintain the integrity of the general ledger by ensuring proper account classification, accurate recording of financial transactions, and effective management of the chart of accounts and related accounting structures.
  
• Direct the preparation, review, and completion of monthly balance sheet reconciliations, including cash, receivables, payables, accrued liabilities, fixed assets, and other significant accounts, ensuring discrepancies are identified, investigated, and resolved promptly.
  
• Prepare and deliver accurate and timely monthly and annual financial statements, supporting schedules, and financial analyses for executive leadership, the Board of Directors, and the Foundation Board of Directors.
  
• Own the agency's financial reporting processes by proactively monitoring financial performance, analyzing trends and variances, identifying risks and opportunities, and recommending corrective actions and operational improvements.
  
• Develop, implement, monitor, and continuously strengthen accounting policies, internal controls, segregation of duties, and financial procedures to safeguard assets and ensure reliable financial reporting.
  
• Lead all accounting activities related to the annual financial audit, serve as the primary liaison with external auditors, coordinate requested schedules and documentation, and ensure timely resolution of audit findings and recommendations.
  
• Take full responsibility for the preparation, reconciliation, documentation, and review of required cost reports and supporting financial schedules, including CCBHC cost reporting, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timely submission.
  
• Oversee all fixed asset accounting activities, including capitalization, depreciation, disposals, construction-in-progress activity, lease accounting, and compliance with applicable accounting standards.
  
• Manage cash and banking activities, including bank reconciliations, cash controls, treasury-related processes, and banking relationships, ensuring adequate safeguards and effective cash management practices.
  
• Lead cash flow monitoring, financial forecasting, financial modeling, cost analysis, and other strategic financial analyses that support organizational planning and decision‑making.
  
• Partner with Revenue Cycle leadership and agency leaders to evaluate revenue performance, reimbursement trends, productivity metrics, and accounts receivable activity while maintaining accountability for the accuracy of related accounting records and balances.
  
• Ensure all revenue-cycle-related financial activity, including accounts receivable, cash receipts, contractual allowances, adjustments, and write‑offs, is accurately recorded and reconciled to the general ledger, investigating and resolving material discrepancies as needed.
  
• Provide leadership and financial expertise in the annual budgeting and forecasting process, including historical analysis, financial projections, accounting guidance, and actual-to-budget performance reporting.
  
• Oversee the integrity, effectiveness, and continuous improvement of accounting systems, financial reporting structures, workflows, and related processes to enhance accuracy, efficiency, and internal controls.
  
• Recruit, supervise, develop, coach, and evaluate accounting and accounts payable staff; establish performance expectations, ensure adequate training and cross‑training, provide ongoing feedback, and address performance concerns through appropriate corrective action.
  
• Serve as an active member of the agency Leadership Team and participate in quarterly leadership meetings and organizational planning initiatives.
  
• Develop, review, implement, and maintain policies and procedures within areas of responsibility and provide financial guidance and expertise to committees, leadership teams, and work groups as assigned.
  
• Collaborate with agency leadership and staff to support operational effectiveness, organizational objectives, and responsible stewardship of financial resources while maintaining strong internal controls.
  
• Maintain and enhance professional knowledge and technical expertise through ongoing education, review of industry developments, professional networking, and participation in approved training opportunities.
  
• Ensure compliance with all agency policies, procedures, regulatory requirements, professional standards, and applicable ethical guidelines.
  
• Uphold and promote the Pawnee Code of Conduct and demonstrate a commitment to the agency's mission, values, accountability, and ethical stewardship in all financial and leadership responsibilities.

Requirements

Required:

• - Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or a related field.
• - Five or more years of progressively responsible professional accounting experience.
• - Demonstrated experience with general ledger accounting, financial statement preparation, account reconciliations, month-end and year-end close processes, and external audit support.
• - Strong analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills, including the ability to identify accounting errors, research discrepancies, implement corrective action, and strengthen internal controls.
• - Demonstrated knowledge of GAAP and internal control principles.
• - Proficiency with accounting and financial reporting systems and advanced Microsoft Excel skills.

Preferred:

• - CPA strongly preferred.
• - Master’s degree in finance, accounting, business administration, or a related field.
• - Ten or more years of professional accounting experience.
• - Experience in a healthcare setting, behavioral/mental health strongly preferred.
• - Experience with Sage Intacct or other enterprise accounting systems.
• - Prior supervisory or accounting leadership experience strongly preferred.