Controller

Covenant House New Jersey; Newark (NJ); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

403B Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Job summary

Covenant House New Jersey is seeking a Controller to lead CHNJ’s accounting operations, ensuring timely, accurate monthly and year-end closes and audit readiness. You will manage NetSuite, NSPB budgeting, grants accounting, and relationships with funders and the CFO.

The role requires strong expertise in nonprofit finance, GAAP, and internal controls, with 3–5 years of controllership experience. This is a hybrid in-office position with the CFO and leadership team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or related field.
• 3–5 years controllership experience in nonprofit environments preferred.
• Experience with grant management and funder reporting required.

Responsibilities

• Lead full-cycle accounting in NetSuite and related reporting workflows.
• Coordinate annual audit preparation and audit schedules.
• Oversee tax and compliance filings including IRS Form 990 and 941 reconciliations.
• Manage general ledger, AP, cash receipts, and reconciliations in NetSuite.
• Collaborate with Administration & CRM and Development on Salesforce‑related processes.
• Assist CFO with budgeting, forecasting, and NSPB budgeting tools.
• Provide contract-level budgeting support and financial analysis.
• Oversee grants accounting and funder reporting.

Skills

Full-cycle accounting

NetSuite

GAAP

Audit readiness

Grant management

Advanced Excel

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting or finance

Tools

NetSuite

NSPB

Salesforce

Excel

Job description

Controller

The Controller leads CHNJ’s accounting operations and is responsible for ensuring timely, accurate, and well-documented monthly and year-end closes. The role is accountable for audit readiness, annual Form 990 coordination, NJHMFA compilation and reporting support, grants accounting, internal controls, and effective use of NetSuite and NSPB. The Controller supervises Finance staff, supports accurate financial reporting, and provides technical accounting and operational support to the CFO and executive management.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead the full-cycle accounting function, with primary responsibility for ensuring timely, accurate, and well-documented monthly and year-end closes in NetSuite and related reporting workflows.
• Coordinate annual audit preparation, internal audit requests, audit schedules, and supporting documentation, ensuring the organization remains audit-ready throughout the year.

• Oversee preparation and coordination of annual tax and compliance filings, including IRS Form 990, quarterly 941 reconciliations, 1099 filings, bank reconciliations, and other finance-related external reporting requests.
• Support NJHMFA compilation and related reporting requirements by maintaining accurate financial records, preparing schedules, coordinating documentation, and responding to information requests.

• Manage the general ledger, accounts payable, cash receipts, disbursements, reconciliations, depreciation, and property records, ensuring all activity is recorded accurately and timely in NetSuite.

• Work closely with the Associate Director of Administration & CRM and the Development team on Salesforce-related processes, reconciliations, reporting, data accuracy, and accounting integration; recommend process improvements to reduce redundancy and strengthen financial reporting.

• Serve as a finance liaison with corporate office contacts, vendors, auditors, funders, and other external partners as needed.

• Assist the CFO with preparation of the annual operating budget, budget revisions, financial projections, and related analyses, including use of NSPB for budgeting, planning, and forecasting activities.

• Provide programs and departments with contract-level budget support, financial analysis, variance explanations, and reporting assistance.

• Oversee grants accounting and funder reporting, including restricted revenue tracking, contract-level budget monitoring, financial reports to governmental agencies and funders, and related compliance documentation.

• Develop and implement internal control systems and risk management policies to establish and maintain proper protection of CHNJ’s assets.

• Update, develop, and maintain accounting process documentation, policies, procedures, and internal control narratives as needed or requested by management.

• Monitor company email and other communication channels regularly to ensure timely response to Finance, audit, compliance, and reporting matters.

• Prepare ad hoc reports, analyses, reconciliations, and management schedules for the CFO, CEO, auditors, funders, and other stakeholders as needed.

• All Other duties as assigned by the CFO or CEO

Salary:

$120,000, This position will be in office/Hybrid.

Experience and Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field from an accredited college or university; 3-5 years of controllership experience required, preferably in a non-profit environment, with demonstrated responsibility for full-cycle accounting, financial reporting, audit preparation, monthly close, and internal controls.
• Experience with grant management, restricted revenue tracking, funder reporting, and contract-level budgeting is required.
• Strong working knowledge of Federal and New Jersey State laws, regulations, financial reporting requirements, and accounting standards applicable to non-profit organizations.
• Hands-on NetSuite experience is required, including month-end close, general ledger management, account reconciliations, financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, workflow review, and troubleshooting of accounting and planning system issues.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills required, including VLOOKUP, pivot tables, complex reconciliations, data analysis, and preparation of audit-ready schedules.
• CPA or CPA track strongly preferred.
• Excellent writing and verbal communication skills.
• Drivers License and an insurable driving record.

Benefits:

Medical, Dental, Vision, 403B Retirement Plan, Paid Time Off (Vacation, Personal, Sick & Ten Holidays).