Controller

Sage Hill School; Newport Beach (CA); On-site; USD 175,000 - 185,000; Full time

Job summary

Sage Hill School in Newport Coast, California, seeks a Controller to lead the Business Office finances, ensuring accurate reporting, strong controls, and strategic partnership with school leadership.

The role oversees accounting operations, budgeting, audits, and compliance for a nonprofit independent 7-12 school with a mission to inspire knowledge and service across the Sage Hill community.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting or finance; CPA preferred
• 8–10 years of experience in financial reporting and budgeting
• Experience with accounts payable, accounts receivable and payroll
• Experience with non-profit fund accounting preferred
• Experience with accounting software systems—Blackbaud, Concur preferred
• Strong organizational and planning skills
• Analytical thinker and problem solver
• Ability to communicate well with stakeholders including faculty, staff, parents, and management
• Self-starter with the ability to work independently and as a Business Office team member
• Attention to detail and the ability to produce financial information with a high degree of accuracy
• Strong leadership and supervisory skills

Responsibilities

• Oversee Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, and Payroll accounting
• Oversee the monthly close processes including journal entries and reconciliations
• Produce monthly/quarterly financial statements and reporting package
• Assist CFOO with annual budget, long-term scenarios, and forecasts
• Lead annual audit and preparation of Form 990
• Manage enrollment contract processes and related workflows

Skills

Leadership

Analytical thinking

Communication

Detail-oriented

Self-starter

Organizational skills

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting or finance (CPA preferred)

Tools

Blackbaud

Concur

Excel

Outlook

Word

Job description

Controller

About Sage Hill School

Sage Hill School, Orange County's only non-denominational, nonprofit, independent 7-12 school, was founded in 2000 in Newport Coast, California. Over the course of the School's first 26 years Sage Hill has emerged as a respected college preparatory school. Sage Hill offers 740 bright, motivated and diverse students a challenging curriculum that is complemented by dynamic programs in the arts, athletics and service, as well as other signature programs. The School's mission is “inspire in our students a love of knowledge and the ability to use that knowledge creatively, compassionately and courageously throughout their lives.” Sage Hill is committed to 10 core values: community, discovery, creativity, excellence, knowledge, compassion, courage, integrity, balance and service. Sage Hill School prepares its students to thrive in college and beyond as passionate, life-long learners.

Learn more about Sage Hill School at www.sagehillschool.org.

School Culture & Environment

Sage Hill School offers the stability of a well-established institution alongside the energy and entrepreneurial spirit of a school that continues to evolve. Founded 26 years ago, Sage Hill is financially strong and entering an exciting new strategic planning cycle that will help guide its priorities for the next five to seven years. Its experienced and highly capable leadership team provides clear organizational direction while encouraging thoughtful growth, innovation, and continuous improvement. This combination creates a dynamic environment where employees have the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the School's continued development and long-term success.

Sage Hill's culture is grounded in transparency, open communication, mutual respect, and a genuine commitment to balance. Employees value the clarity andconsistencyof theSchool'scalendar, as well as true breaks during holidays and flexibility that supports family and personal needs. At the same time, Sage Hill is a rigorous and highly engaged community where employees are expected to bring energy, initiative, and a willingness to roll up their sleeves. Faculty and staff are encouraged to participate in student activities, campus events, and other aspects of school life, giving employees a strong connection to the students and a deeper understanding of how their work advances the School's mission. For those energized by a vibrant, student-centered environment, Sage Hill offers the opportunity to do meaningful work as part of a welcoming and collaborative community.

Leadership Opportunity

Reporting to the Chief Financial and Operating Officer, the Controller will serve as a key financial leader and strategic partner within Sage Hill's Business Office. The Controller will provide the School's leaders and stakeholders with timely, relevant, and accurate financial information while ensuring the integrity of its accounting processes, financial systems, and internal controls. They will oversee financial reporting, general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, treasury, cash flow, budgeting, forecasting and regulatory compliance, as well as lead the annual audit and preparation of the School's tax return.

This is an opportunity for an accomplished, hands‑on financial leader to strengthen accounting operations while building trusted relationships across the Sage Hill community. The Controller will lead and develop the Accounts Receivable and Revenue Manager and the AP/Accounting Specialist, recognizing their strengths, supporting their growth, and fostering a collaborative, service‑oriented team. As an approachable partner, they will translate complex financial information for faculty, staff, parents, and School leaders, helping colleagues understand budgets, reports, and financial decisions. The successful candidate will embrace the breadth of the role, contribute beyond traditional functional boundaries, and become an active member of the campus community.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Oversee general accounting functions, including Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, and Payroll accounting.
• Perform key banking responsibilities and review monthly bank reconciliations.
• Oversee the monthly close processes including preparation/review of journal entries and balance sheet account reconciliations, departmental spending review, and overall financial statement review.
• Produce monthly/quarterly financial statements and reporting package to include, but not limited to, the Statement of Financial Position, Statement of Revenue and Expenditures, Cash Flow, Forecasts, and analytical reports with comparisons to budget and prior periods.
• Assist the CFOO with the preparation of the annual budget, long‑term budget scenarios, and forecast updates.
• Meet with department budget managers quarterly to review budgets and forecasts.
• Develop and maintain an annual Business Office calendar including close deadlines, reporting and filing requirements and key initiatives.
• Lead the annual financial statement audit and preparation of the annual tax return (Form 990).
• Oversee and lead the annual enrollment contract process, including contract administration and coordination of all due dates with the Admissions and Technology teams.
• Develop Spring at Sage pricing and budgets and serve as a liaison to the Sage Center to oversee Spring at Sage billing.
• Develop and maintain the Financial and Accounting Policies & Procedures manual.
• Research, implement and maintain technical accounting of GAAP/not‑for‑profit guidance.
• Maintain and manage Blackbaud accounting modules including integration of all departments and overseeing all security and internal controls.
• Oversee completion of all annual industry surveys for Cal-ISBOA, DASL and INDEX and assist with benchmarking and key metrics.
• Manage treasury functions, including monitoring cash flow and transfer requirements.
• Ensure compliance with reporting requirements related to debt compliance.
• Drive process and system improvements to increase efficiency and effectiveness of accounting and operational processes.
• Special projects, as assigned, to meet the school's financial objectives.
• Actively engage in school activities to become a full member of the Sage community.
• All other duties as assigned by the Chief Financial and Operating Officer.

Candidate Profile

Sage Hill seeks an experienced and highly collaborative financial leader who combines strong technical accounting expertise with sound judgment, careful attention to detail, and a commitment to responsive service. The ideal candidate will be an analytical and resourceful problem‑solver who can manage complex financial responsibilities, develop and support a talented team, and communicate financial information clearly to audiences with varying levels of financial knowledge. They will bring the initiative to work independently, the collegiality to contribute as a member of the Business Office and broader School community, and the flexibility and hands‑on orientation needed to thrive in Sage Hill's dynamic, in‑person environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting or finance, CPA preferred; MBA optional
• 8-10 years of experience in financial reporting and budgeting required
• Experience with accounts payable, accounts receivable and payroll required
• Experience with non‑profit fund accounting preferred
• Experience with accounting software systems — Blackbaud, Concur preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel, particularly in financial modeling
• Strong organizational and planning skills
• Analytical thinker and problem solver
• Ability to communicate well with stakeholders including faculty, staff, parents, and management
• Self‑starter with the ability to work independently and as a Business Office team member
• Attention to detail and the ability to produce financial information with a high degree of accuracy
• Strong leadership and supervisory skills

Compensation and Benefits

Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. The salary range for this role is$175,000- $185,000with a generous benefits package.

Sage Hill Schoolis an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, and LGBTQ+ applicants.