Controller – Mission-Driven Finance Leader for Education

Archspm; Mendota Heights (MN); On-site; USD 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid time off

Retirement plan

Tuition remission

Job summary

Saint Thomas Academy is seeking a detail‑oriented Controller to lead the accounting operations, own the general ledger, month‑end and year‑end close, and oversee financial reporting. This senior role partners with the Director of Finance to support budgeting, treasury, and financial planning in a Catholic, military, college‑prep setting.

The ideal candidate will have a bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance, 5–7 years of nonprofit or independent school accounting, CPA preferred, and strong

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance, or equivalent relevant experience.
• CPA (active or inactive) preferred.
• Five to Seven years of progressive accounting experience.
• Supervisory or team-leadership experience preferred.
• Thorough knowledge of GAAP.
• Experience with nonprofit or independent school accounting preferred.
• Proficiency with Excel and working knowledge of other Microsoft Office products.
• Experience with Sage Intacct and Blackbaud preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to perform detailed, analytical work.
• Exceptional judgment, discretion, and commitment to confidentiality.
• Commitment to supporting the mission and values of Saint Thomas Academy.

Responsibilities

• Own the general ledger and maintain the Sage Intacct chart of accounts, user access, and reporting.
• Prepare and review journal entries, including recording payroll entries.
• Lead the monthly and annual close, ensuring entries are complete, accurate, and recorded on a timely basis.
• Reconcile bank, endowment, and restricted and unrestricted gift accounts, and reconcile balances between systems.
• Maintain fixed asset and lease accounting, including capitalization decisions, depreciation, and disposals.
• Monitor short-term cash needs and review cash flow projections.
• Prepare monthly financial statements and commentary for the Director of Finance and Academy leadership.
• Produce department-level budget-to-actual reports and follow up with budget managers as needed.
• Oversee tuition billing and tuition revenue recognition in Blackbaud, including new student enrollment setup and related accounting.
• Serve as the escalation point for family and parent billing questions, resolving account issues with professionalism, empathy, and discretion.
• Manage tuition receivables and coordinate collection of past-due balances.
• Support the financial aid award process in coordination with the Financial Aid Committee.
• Coordinate the annual audit with the Academy’s external auditors, serving as the primary day-to-day contact.
• Prepare audit workpapers and requested schedules, and draft financial statements for review.
• Coordinate the annual audit and Form 990 for the related ice arena entity.
• Design, document, maintain, and improve internal controls and segregation of duties across accounting operations.
• Recommend and administer accounting policies and procedures that safeguard the Academy’s assets and strengthen transaction processing.
• Oversee year-end reconciliations for the ice arena, Quartermaster and Cadet Maker store inventory, and transportation accounting.
• Provide ad hoc analysis and cross-functional finance support to departments across the Academy, including Advancement and the Innovation Center.
• Supervise, develop, and support the Staff Accountant and HR & Payroll Coordinator.
• Foster a collaborative, service-oriented Business Office that partners effectively across departments.

Skills

Analytical skills

Leadership

Communication

Detail oriented

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance

CPA (active or inactive) preferred

Tools

Sage Intacct

Blackbaud

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Saint Thomas Academy is seeking a detail‑oriented Controller to lead the accounting operations, own the general ledger, month‑end and year‑end close, and oversee financial reporting. This senior role partners with the Director of Finance to support budgeting, treasury, and financial planning in a Catholic, military, college‑prep setting.

The ideal candidate will have a bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance, 5–7 years of nonprofit or independent school accounting, CPA preferred, and strong