Controller

Woodland School; Portola Valley (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 148,000; Full time

Job summary

The National Association of Independent Schools is seeking a Controller who will report to the Chief Financial Officer. This key role involves overseeing all accounting functions, ensuring compliance with regulations, and supporting the school’s mission. Responsibilities include budget preparation, financial audits, and compliance activities.

The ideal candidate will have over 5 years of accounting experience, a Bachelor's degree in accounting or finance, and proficiency in ERP systems. This is an onsite position in Portola Valley, CA, with a salary range of $130,000 - $148,000.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive accounting experience, including prior experience as a Controller.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP, audit processes, and internal control best practices.
• High proficiency with accounting and ERP systems.

Responsibilities

• Oversee Woodland's accounting functions and ensure compliance with internal policies.
• Assist with the preparation of the annual budget and monitor budget-to-actual performance.
• Be the primary leader in the annual financial audit and ensure compliance with regulations.

Skills

Accounting experience

Leadership skills

Analytical skills

GAAP knowledge

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting or finance

CPA preferred

Tools

ERP/accounting systems

Job description

Position Overview

Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, the Controller will be responsible for Woodland’s accounting functions, internal controls, budgeting support, audits, cash management, and compliance activities accounting and reporting functions, ensuring the integrity, accuracy, and timeliness of all financial reporting in compliance with all applicable standards and regulations. The Controller will support the School’s mission and strategic priorities and serves as a key member of the Business Office and works collaboratively with the Head of School, designated trustees, administrators, faculty, staff, families and external partners and vendors.

Primary Responsibilities:

Internal Controls & Fiduciary Integrity

• Design, implement, and continuously strengthen internal controls to safeguard institutional assets.
• Ensure segregation of duties, approval workflows, and documentation standards across all financial processes.
• Monitor compliance with internal policies, donor restrictions, and Board-approved financial practices.
• Serve as a key guardian of fiduciary discipline across the institution.

Budget Support & Financial Operations

• Assist the CFO with the preparation of the annual budget to align with the school’s goals and mission and maintain account records related to the school’s budget.
• Monitor budget-to-actual performance and identify discrepancies or emerging issues. Support the CFO in forecasting, and variance analysis.
• Partner with department leaders to ensure accurate expense coding and financial accountability.

Audit & Compliance

• Be responsible for and be the primary leader in the annual financial audit and any other audits by outside authorities.
• Ensure timely completion of audit schedules, confirmations, and required disclosures.
• Support preparation of Form 990 and other regulatory filings in partnership with the CFO and external advisors.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local financial and tax regulations applicable to independent schools and nonprofit organizations

Restricted Funds & Endowment Accounting

• Oversee accounting for restricted, temporarily restricted, and unrestricted funds.
• Ensure accurate tracking and reporting of endowed funds, capital gifts, and donor-restricted contributions.
• Partner with Advancement and the CFO to ensure compliance with gift agreements and donor intent.

Systems, Processes & Continuous Improvement

• Maintain and optimize the School’s financial systems, including ERP/accounting platforms and reporting tools.
• Lead process improvements to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and transparency.
• Ensure consistent financial procedures across departments, and programs.

Desired Qualifications:

• Minimum of 5 years of progressive accounting experience, including prior experience as a Controller
• Bachelor's degree in accounting or finance required; CPA strongly preferred
• Significant experience in non-profit accounting, preferably within an independent school, foundation, or other educational institution Including expertise in fund accounting, including restricted and endowed funds
• Strong knowledge of GAAP, audit processes, and internal control best practices
• Proven experience supervising accounting staff
• High proficiency with accounting and ERP systems
• Excellent analytical, organizational, interpersonal and communication skills
• Hands‑on manager who is comfortable both executing and overseeing work with a great attention to detail
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire, mentor, and manage staff.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills.
• High level of integrity, discretion, and commitment to the school’s mission and values.
• Eagerness to engage in the life of an elementary school campus.
• Visible presence on campus and highly engaged in the daily life of the school.
• Actively engaged in the community with genuine enthusiasm and a proven passion for finance.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The position can be physically demanding. Reasonable accommodations may be made if requested in advance. This position is an onsite position based in Portola Valley, CA.

Compensation

The salary range for this position is $130,000 - $148,000 depending on qualifications and experience.

How to Apply

Candidates for this position should submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information for a minimum of three references. Please combine all documents into a single PDF.

Note

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” relationship.

Woodland School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin in the administration of its educational or admission policies, financial aid distribution, or other school programs. Woodland School is dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse and pluralistic faculty committed to teaching and working in a multicultural environment and strongly encourages applications from candidates who reflect such diversity.