Controller

Nebraska Children’s Home Society, Inc.; Omaha (NE); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Nebraska Children’s Home Society, Inc. seeks a Controller to manage daily accounting operations, financial reporting, audits, and grant compliance. The role leads the finance function under the CFO, ensuring GAAP adherence and reliable data for decision-making.

Responsibilities include month-end close, budget support, and coordination of audits for both the Society and Foundation, with a focus on accuracy and controls across nonprofit funding sources.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• CPA or MBA preferred.
• 7–10 years progressive accounting experience.
• 3–5 years supervisory experience.
• Experience with nonprofit accounting, audits, and grant reporting.
• Knowledge of GAAP and Uniform Guidance.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day accounting operations including GL, AP/AR, and reconciliations.
• Lead month-end and year-end close processes.
• Coordinate annual audits (financial, Single Audit, grants) and liaise with external auditors.
• Prepare monthly financial statements and variance analysis for CFO.
• Manage grants, contracts, restricted funds, and cost allocation methodologies.
• Supervise accounting staff or contracted accounting services.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

Analytical skills

Financial reporting

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance/Business

CPA or MBA preferred

Tools

Microsoft Excel

General ledger software

Job description

Job Classification (Exempt or Non-exempt): Exempt

Reports To: CFO

Job Summary:

The Controller is responsible for the day-to-day accounting operations and financial reporting functions of the Nebraska Children’s Home Society and the Nebraska Children’s Home Society Foundation. This role ensures accurate and timely execution of accounting processes, financial reporting, audit preparation, and compliance support in accordance with GAAP, organizational policies, and applicable regulatory requirements. The Controller works under the direction of the CFO and serves as the lead technical accounting resource within the finance function, ensuring the integrity, accuracy, and reliability of all financial data and reporting systems.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Accounting Operations & Close Process

• Manage day-to-day accounting operations, including general ledger maintenance, accounts payable/receivable, and reconciliations
• Ensure accurate and timely recording of all financial transactions in accordance with GAAP
• Execute month-end and year-end close processes
• Maintain integrity and completeness of financial records and supporting documentation

Financial Reporting & Budget Support

• Prepare monthly financial statements, variance reports, and supporting schedules for CFO review
• Produce variance reports and supporting analysis for CFO review
• Ensure completeness and accuracy of financial data used for reporting
• Maintain supporting documentation for all reporting outputs
• Lead the annual budget development process at the operational level including budget templates, historical data, program submission, budget consolidation, budget revisions, budget to actual reporting

Audit, Compliance & Revenue Recognition

• Coordinate annual financial audit, Single Audit, and grant audit fieldwork, including preparation of required schedules, workpapers, and supporting documentation.
• Serve as the primary operational contact for external auditors throughout financial, Single Audit, and grant audit engagements.
• Prepare documentation supporting IRS Form 990 and other required regulatory filings.
• Ensure compliance with GAAP, Uniform Guidance, internal controls, grant requirements, and organizational accounting policies in daily accounting operations.
• Monitor revenue recognition to ensure compliance with GAAP and applicable grant and donor restrictions.

Grants & Contracts Accounting

• Maintain accurate accounting for grants, contracts, donations, and restricted funds.
• Track and reconcile grant expenditures in accordance with funding requirements.
• Ensure expenses are allowable, allocable, reasonable, and properly documented in accordance with grant regulations and organizational policies.
• Apply and maintain cost allocation methodologies to ensure shared costs are distributed accurately and consistently across funding sources and programs.
• Ensure proper classification and reporting of restricted and unrestricted funds.
• Support financial reporting requirements for funders by preparing accurate financial reports, schedules, and supporting documentation.
• Assist with grant budgets, budget modifications, and financial analyses to support program and funding compliance.

Cash, Systems & Internal Controls

• Oversee accounting for payroll, including journal entries, general ledger postings, allocations, and accruals, and ensure payroll-related general ledger accounts are reconciled to payroll system reports and supporting documentation.
• Maintain banking records and support cash management, liquidity reporting, and banking relationships.
• Maintain a rolling cash flow forecast and proactively identify anticipated liquidity concerns, communicating potential risks and funding needs to leadership.
• Maintain accounting systems, general ledger integrity, and financial reporting tools.
• Ensure accuracy of financial data and compliance with internal control procedures.
• Support system updates, testing, and process improvements to enhance efficiency and accuracy.
• Maintain separate and accurate accounting records for the Nebraska Children’s Home Society Foundation
• Ensure proper tracking of restricted and unrestricted Foundation funds
• Support Foundation financial reporting and audit schedules
• Ensure compliance with donor restrictions and Foundation accounting requirements
• Coordinate accounting activities related to both the Society and Foundation to ensure consistency and accuracy across entities

Technical Accounting Leadership & Coordination

• Serve as the technical accounting resource within the finance function.
• Coordinate accounting workflows to ensure timely and accurate completion of financial processes.
• Supervise Accounting and Finance personnel or manage the relationship with the organization's contracted accounting service provider, ensuring quality, accountability, and timely completion of work.
• Partner with program leaders to improve financial performance, strengthen financial understanding, and support sound fiscal decision-making.
• Prepare monthly financial and operational reports, analyses, and key performance metrics for the CFO and executive leadership.
• Collaborate closely with the CFO and leadership team to ensure alignment between operational accounting activities and the organization's strategic financial goals.

Supplemental Duties and Responsibilities:

• Commitment to NCHS mission, vision, values, CQI initiatives, and strategic plan goals.
• Maintain a positive and cooperative relationship with internal and external professionals.
• Participation in agency committees as assigned.
• Positive representation of NCHS in all community settings.
• Ability to interpret and abide by NCHS policies and procedures.
• Embracing and championing NCHS’s mission, values and culture.
• Other duties as assigned by the supervisor and/or director.

Qualifications and Requirements:

• Minimum education and experience:
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field required
• CPA or Master's degree in Accounting or Business Administration (MBA) preferred.
• 7–10 years of progressive accounting experience, including financial reporting, general ledger management, and month-end and year-end close processes.
• 3–5 years of supervisory experience, or experience managing the work of a contracted accounting services provider.
• Experience preparing for and coordinating annual financial audits, Single Audits, and working directly with external auditors.
• Experience with nonprofit accounting, including restricted funds, grant accounting, fund accounting, and grant-funded organizations, strongly preferred.
• Experience developing and applying functional expense and cost allocation methodologies in accordance with GAAP and Uniform Guidance.
• Experience monitoring grant compliance, including allowable costs, allocability, and financial reporting requirements, preferred.

2. Knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Strong knowledge of GAAP and financial reporting standards
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
• Advanced understanding of general ledger accounting and financial statement preparation
• Knowledge of internal controls and audit requirements
• Strong understanding of nonprofit accounting, including restricted/unrestricted funds and grant compliance
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel
• Knowledge of budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis principles
• Understanding of revenue recognition principles across multiple funding sources
• Passion for the mission and work of the organization

3. Physical Demand :

• The ability to frequently communicate with NCHS team members and community partnerships.
• Able to inspect written communication and respond to directions and hazards.
• Able to move equipment weighing up to 35 pounds.
• Occasionally ascends/descends stairs in the building and home structures.
• Able to operate a computer and other office equipment.
• Able to remain in a stationary position and move about different work environments.
• This position requires access to reliable and safe transportation. A copy of insurance and registration will be required upon hiring.
• M-F 8:30-4:30
• Work in office setting and/or remotely.
• Local travel will be required with state-wide travel on occasion for meetings.

Note: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described above are representative of those that will be encountered by a person performing the essential duties and responsibilities of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.