Controller

Kinship Community Food Center; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Kinship Community Food Center in Milwaukee seeks an entrepreneurial and rigorous Controller to manage our organization’s $4M annual operating budget and oversee HR and payroll strategies & functions.

Reporting directly to the Managing Director, you will serve as a trusted advisor, navigating NMTC compliance, multi-entity financial structures, board communications, and building a strong internal HR environment with modern systems.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of progressive accounting experience in nonprofit/enterprise settings.
• Familiarity with NMTC, grants, and fund accounting across multiple programs.
• Experience leading budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting to executives and boards.
• Proficiency with QuickBooks Desktop, BambooHR, Toast, and board management tools.

Responsibilities

• Direct daily accounting operations across nonprofit programs and social enterprises.
• Oversee payroll, HR administration, and benefits using BambooHR and related systems.
• Manage NMTC compliance, fund allocations, and grant reporting to funders and the board.
• Lead annual budgeting process and prepare monthly P&L statements for unit leaders.

Skills

Nonprofit financial management

Fund accounting

Budgeting & forecasting

Audit & tax compliance

HR strategy & administration

Payroll administration

Financial leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting/finance/business

CPA or CMA preferred

Tools

QuickBooks

Toast

BambooHR

Boardable

Job description

Announcement

Kinship Community Food Center is seeking an entrepreneurial and rigorous Controller to manage our organization's $4M annual operating budget and oversee our human resources, and payroll strategies & functions.

Our dynamic business model blends traditional nonprofit operations with active food-related social enterprises, with plans to scale and add more enterprises in the future. Reporting directly to the Managing Director, you will serve as a trusted advisor, navigating complex New Market Tax Credit (NMTC) compliance, managing multi-entity/program financial structures, keeping our board seamlessly, and fostering a supportive internal environment via modern HR systems.

Areas of Interest or Expertise

Nonprofit Financial Management & Fund Accounting | Budgeting & Forecasting | Audit & Tax Compliance | HR Strategy, Administration & Compliance | Payroll Administration | New Market Tax Credit Compliance | Board Management | QuickBooks | HR Software | Board Management Software

Our Mission

Kinship Community Food Center engages volunteers and neighborhood residents to end hunger, isolation, and poverty. The mission pillars of our work are 1) nourishing food security and wellness, 2) fostering kinship and community engagement and 3) creating stability & economic opportunity. Our fresh food market, urban farm, food wellness programs, café, and catering expand food access while teaching healthful habits and skills in a community of belonging where crisis assistance, mentoring and workforce training is made available. We believe no one is so deprived that they have nothing to give, and no one is so well-off that they no longer have needs.

Key Position Responsibilities

Financial Management & Social Enterprise Accounting

• Multi-Entity Oversight: Direct daily accounting operations, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and revenue recognition across both nonprofit programs and commercial food social enterprises.
• Systems Management: Maintain and optimize inventory tracking, cost of goods sold (COGS), and sales reporting using QuickBooks & Toast.
• Fund Accounting & Allocations: Track restricted and unrestricted funding, accurately allocating shared staff, benefits, and administrative overhead across various grants and social enterprises.
• Budgeting & Forecasting: Lead the annual $4M organizational budgeting process and prepare distinct monthly P&L statements for individual food enterprise units for the CEO, Board and outside funders.

Tax Credit Compliance & Governance

• NMTC Compliance: Monitor, track, and ensure strict compliance with New Market Tax Credit (NMTC) requirements, including tracking Qualified Low-Income Community Investment (QLICI) funds, loan covenants, and investor reporting.
• Board Administration: Manage logistics, communication, scheduling, and digital packet distribution for Board of Directors and committee meetings utilizing Boardable.
• Audit & Tax Liaison: Serve as the primary point of contact for external auditors, NMTC partners, and CPA for the annual financial audit and IRS Form 990.

Payroll & HR Administration

• Payroll Processing: Run end-to-end processing of monthly payroll directly within BambooHR, accurately matching labor hours to specific grants or enterprise cost centers.
• Management and oversight of HR Life Cycle including onboarding, benefits administration, and employee records using automated BambooHR workflows.
• Employment Law Compliance: Maintain the Employee Handbook to ensure strict compliance with federal, state, and Wisconsin labor laws.

Desired Requirements

• Receptiveness to overall servant leader model and mission of Kinship Community Food Center
• Experience: 3+ years of progressive accounting experience, with a proven track record managing mid-sized budgets ($2M–$10M) and reporting directly to executive leadership.
• Technical Compliance: Familiarity with New Market Tax Credits (NMTC), commercial lending, or similarly complex financial/investment structures.
• Industry Context: Experience in nonprofit fund accounting combined with exposure to a commercial industry (ideally food service, retail, grocery, or hospitality).
• Software Mastery: Hands-on proficiency with QuickBooks Desktop, BambooHR (for payroll/HR), Toast and board management platforms like Boardable.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business. A CPA or CMA is highly preferred given the tax credit complexities.
• Highly motivated, self-directed with a positive attitude and the ability to work a flexible schedule, including occasional evenings and weekends
• Demonstrated organizational, collaborative, interpersonal, and written & verbal communication skills
• Ability to interact with diverse groups
• Strong attention to detail and a bility to set priorities and handle multiple projects simultaneously
• Openness to work within a Christian/Catholic faith-based environment based on social justice principles.
• Valid Driver’s license, proof of insurance, and transportation to support work activities

And We Offer You

A competitive annually salary of $85,000 - $115,000 (commensurate with experience), benefits package, a flexible work environment, an enthusiastic team of dedicated staff and volunteers.

Working Conditions:

Work Location:Open office workspace with active team atmosphere. Office space is shared. Flexibility with work and meeting spaces required.

Physical Requirements: Standing and sitting for prolonged periods. Typing on a computer keyboard.

Equipment Used: Computer, printer/copier.

Here is what some Team Members have to say about the Kinship Community Food Center workplace culture:

I always feel supported, like I have a purpose, and that my coworkers truly care about me.

The sense of family and willingness to accept each other as they make themselves vulnerable leads to a culture that fosters the risk required for growth and achieving our personal as well as organizational potential.

The community of shoppers, volunteers, staff, donors, etc., and the culture of generosity here has made this a great place to work. I love that we are so mission driven. As a whole, the community here really cares about the dignity of one another, and we strive to uplift that through our program offerings (offering fresh, farm produce, assisting others in mentoring relationships, offering trainings on poverty and hunger, and so much more).

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law.