Controller

Foundation Academies; Trenton (NJ); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Merit-based pay increases annually

Tax-deferred 403b retirement plan with

25% matching

Financial wellness advising

Disability benefits through Aflac

Professional development

Smartphone plan

Laptop provided

Team-building activities

Sick days

Personal days

Holiday observances

Job summary

Foundation Academies in Trenton, New Jersey seeks a Controller to lead the organization’s accounting operations, financial reporting, internal controls, and compliance functions. You will ensure financial accuracy, prepare statements, manage audits, and drive system improvements while partnering with school leaders to enable sound decisions and strong financial stewardship.

This role offers growth within a mission-driven nonprofit charter school, with merit-based pay increases and a robust

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 5+ years of progressively responsible accounting or Controller experience.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP, financial reporting, internal controls, and compliance.
• Experience managing audits, reconciliations, budgeting, and reporting.
• Strong Excel and ERP experience with process improvements.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to lead, develop, and hold a finance team accountable.
• Experience in charter school or nonprofit environment preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day accounting operations and the monthly close.
• Prepare financial statements, budget-to-actuals, and analyses.
• Maintain internal controls, procedures, and audit-ready records.
• Coordinate annual audits, grant accounting, and regulatory reporting.
• Monitor cash flow, receivables, reimbursements, and risks.
• Lead ERP improvements, automation, and process efficiencies.
• Supervise and develop Business Office staff with clear workflows.
• Translate financial information into clear insights for leaders.
• Support executive leadership with timely reporting and recommendations.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Financial analysis

Communication skills

Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field

Tools

Excel

ERP systems

Job description

$100,000 to $130,000

What is the opportunity?

Foundation Academies is seeking a Controller to lead the organization’s accounting operations, financial reporting, internal controls, and compliance functions. This role ensures financial accuracy and accountability while providing leadership with the information needed to make sound decisions. The Controller will also lead process improvements, strengthen financial systems, and partner across the organization to support strong financial stewardship. Ready to grow with us?

What is in it for you?

• Merit-based pay increases annually
• Tax-deferred 403b retirement account with 25% matching up to a certain amount
• Free financial wellness advising through our Financial Advisor Service
• Optional short or long-term disability benefits through Aflac
• Regular strategic professional development and coaching
• Smartphone and fully paid wireless plan through T-Mobile
• Windows-based laptop
• Regular team-building activities and outings
• 10 sick days and 3 personal days that roll over annually
• 30 paid holiday observances
• A rewarding career that positively impacts the lives of our amazing students

What will you be doing?

• Lead day-to-day accounting operations and the monthly financial close process.
• Prepare accurate financial statements, budget-to-actual reports, and financial analyses.
• Maintain strong internal controls, financial procedures, and audit-ready records.
• Coordinate annual audits, grant accounting, compliance reporting, and regulatory requirements.
• Monitor cash flow, receivables, reimbursements, and emerging financial risks.
• Lead financial systems and ERP improvements, automation, and process efficiencies.
• Supervise and develop Business Office staff while ensuring clear workflows and accountability.
• Partner with school and department leaders to translate financial information into clear, actionable insights.
• Support executive leadership with timely financial reporting and recommendations.

What do we require from you?

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 5+ years of progressively responsible accounting, finance, or Controller experience.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP, financial reporting, internal controls, and compliance.
• Experience managing audits, reconciliations, budgeting, and financial reporting.
• Strong Excel and financial systems/ERP experience, with the ability to improve processes and workflows.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, develop, and hold a finance team accountable.
• Strong judgment, attention to detail, discretion, and follow-through.
• Ability to manage competing deadlines and work effectively across departments.
• Experience in a charter school, nonprofit, public education, or similarly regulated environment is preferred.

Want to join our Family?

We are Foundation Academies: Trenton, New Jersey's largest and highest-ranking K-12 free public charter school serving more than 1,000 scholars across three schools on two campuses. Our mission is to ensure that all of our students secure the academic knowledge and skills to prepare them for the nation's finest colleges, and to instill in them the core values of caring, respect, responsibility, and honesty. We admit students by lottery, irrespective of gender, race, household income, or academic ability.

Our team of experienced and mission-driven urban educators values growth mindsets, lifelong learners, and individuals who believe that every child deserves an excellent education. We hold ourselves, our students, and our city to high standards because that's what our families deserve.

We are conveniently located a quick car ride to downtown Princeton, a 45-minute SEPTA ride to Philly's Center City, and a hop on the NJ Transit Express to New York City.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

Foundation Academies is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of merit. We want to have the best available persons in every job. Foundation Academies prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, creed, gender, gender identity, religion, marital status, registered domestic partner status, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sex, genetic information, sexual orientation, military and veteran status, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws. All such discrimination is unlawful and prohibited by Foundation Academies. It is also our policy to comply with all applicable state and federal laws respecting consideration of unemployment status in making hiring decisions.