Controller (Finance)

Presbyterian Villages of Michigan; Southfield (MI); On-site; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

A nonprofit organization serving seniors in Michigan is seeking a Controller. This hands-on role oversees day-to-day accounting operations across a multi-entity portfolio, drives financial reporting and compliance, and manages a team. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance, 5-7 years of experience in progressive accounting, and proficiency in financial software. This position requires strong leadership skills and the ability to maintain robust internal controls. The job involves in-office work with some travel required.

Qualifications

• 5-7 years of progressive accounting experience.
• Ability to travel up to 10% and work extended hours during close and audit cycles.
• Experience coordinating audits, 990 filings, and grant reporting.

Responsibilities

• Lead and execute monthly, quarterly, and year-end close processes.
• Maintain internal controls for accurate recordkeeping and asset safeguarding.
• Ensure compliance with HUD and LIHTC requirements.

Skills

Intermediate to expert proficiency with Excel

Financial acumen

Detail oriented

Strong communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field

Tools

SAGE-100

Sage Intact

Job description

Overview

Presbyterian Villages of Michigan (PVM) is a faith-based, not-for-profit organization serving 8,500+ seniors across Michigan through 50+ properties, including market-rate, affordable, and senior living communities.

The Controller is a hands-on finance professional who owns the day-to-day execution of accounting operations across PVM’s complex, multi-entity portfolio. This role personally drives the close process, financial reporting, regulatory compliance, and audit coordination while directing the Director of Accounting, Director of Business Operations, and Senior Accountants. Reporting to the Sr. VP of Finance, the Controller maintains robust internal controls and manages compliance with HUD, LIHTC, tax-exempt bond, and GAAP requirements. This role requires a leader who is actively involved in execution, contributing directly to the work while guiding the team.

Responsibilities

• Lead and personally execute monthly, quarterly, and year-end close processes across the full 50+ property, multi-entity reporting structure.
• Prepare and analyze financial statements, journal entries, cost allocations, variance analyses, and consolidated reporting for the Obligated Group.
• Maintain internal controls to ensure accurate recordkeeping, asset safeguarding, and proper segregation of duties.
• Support annual operating and capital budget preparation; deliver periodic budget-to-actual variance reports.

Compliance & Regulatory

• Ensure compliance with HUD (Sections 8, 9, Multifamily), LIHTC (Section 42), and tax-exempt bond financing requirements.
• Prepare and oversee recurring third-party reporting HUD, MSHDA, Detroit Housing Commission, bondholder, investor, and statistical filings.
• Lead nonprofit tax compliance including IRS Form 990s, charitable licenses, partner tax returns, property tax reports, and LLC filings.
• Review grant expenditures for Single Audit implications; prepare Federal Audit Clearinghouse submissions.

Multi-Entity & Project-Based Accounting

• Manage accounting for HUD-funded properties, LIHTC partnerships, bond-financed projects, foundations, restricted assets, and intercompany balances.
• Oversee fixed asset tracking, tagging, disposal, and depreciation; maintain the fixed asset register.
• Manage entity setup and transition for new and departing management agreements.

Audit, Treasury & Tax

• Lead day-to-day audit coordination across all entities; prepare key schedules including balance sheet substantiation, net asset roll forwards, LIHTC waterfall calculations, and PILOT certifications.
• Oversee cash management, banking relationships, disbursement authorization, reserve monitoring, and surplus cash transfers for HUD and tax credit sites.
• Provide financial oversight of payroll compliance (W-2, 1099/1096) and IRS Form 5500 filing through the Director of Business Operations.
• Support insurance procurement, renewals, and lender compliance in coordination with the Sr. VP of Finance.

Team Leadership & Governance

• Directly supervise the Director of Accounting, Director of Business Operations, and Senior Accountants; provide indirect oversight of AP and payroll through the Director of Business Operations.
• Train and guide Village-level accounting teams; foster cross-departmental collaboration for revenue enhancement and cost containment.
• Serve as liaison to the PVM Finance and Audit Committees.
• All other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Required — Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
• 5-7 years of progressive accounting experience
• Intermediate to expert proficiency with Excel, GL software, and report writing tools
• Ability to travel up to 10% and work extended hours during close and audit cycles
• In office position, hybrid not fully remote

Preferred

• CPA certification
• Experience in nonprofit finance, affordable housing, senior living, healthcare, or real estate
• Hands-on multi-entity accounting with HUD, LIHTC, or tax-exempt bond compliance
• Experience coordinating audits, 990 filings, and grant reporting
• SAGE-100, Sage Intact, or similar ERP experience

Key Competencies

• Accountability & Integrity - Owns outcomes; delivers with transparency and follow-through.
• Financial Acumen - Interprets complex data across multiple entities; catches what others miss.
• Detail Oriented - Thorough, precise, and systematic in execution.
• Autonomy - Works independently; doesn’t wait for direction on recurring responsibilities.
• Calm Under Pressure - Performs at a high level during close, audit, and reporting cycles.
• Communication - Writes and speaks clearly to staff, leadership, auditors, and external stakeholders.
• Collaboration - Builds trust across Village teams, departments, and external partners.