Controller – Nonprofit Healthcare

Trueline Talent; Newark (NJ); On-site; USD 95,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

403(b) retirement plan

Pension plan with employer matching

Health, dental, vision, life insurance

Job summary

Trueline Talent is partnering with a longstanding nonprofit healthcare and human services organization to recruit a senior Controller in Newark, NJ. You will lead accounting operations, manage a small team, and ensure timely, accurate financial reporting across multiple programs.

You will oversee month-end closes, audits, grant accounting, and budgeting, collaborating with the CFO and program leaders. A hands-on, supervisory approach is essential to drive strong controls and staff development.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of progressive accounting experience with financial operations responsibility.
• Experience directly managing accounting staff and holding a team accountable for results.
• Ability to independently lead month-end close, financial reporting, and audit coordination.
• Strong understanding of GAAP, internal controls, reconciliations, and financial compliance.
• Experience in nonprofit accounting or multi‑program financial environments.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Excellent communication with senior leadership and operational teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead accounting operations for a multi-location nonprofit organization.
• Manage and develop a team of accounting professionals.
• Direct month-end close activities and oversee financial statements and reporting.
• Maintain internal controls, policies, and nonprofit compliance.
• Lead annual audits and coordinate with external auditors.
• Oversee government grants, restricted funds, and program budgets.
• Support budgeting and planning for new grant opportunities.
• Monitor activity across programs and funding sources.
• Coordinate payroll-related financial transactions with payroll functions.
• Partner with CFO and program leaders to resolve financial issues.
• Strengthen workflows and mentor staff for future leadership.

Skills

Leadership

Financial reporting

GAAP knowledge

Team management

Communication

Internal controls

Tools

Sage MIP

Job description

Trueline's client, a longstanding nonprofit healthcare and human services organization serving communities throughout New Jersey, is seeking a Controller to join its leadership team in Newark, NJ. This is a hands-on opportunity for an experienced accounting leader to oversee financial operations, guide an established team, and help ensure the financial strength of programs that make a meaningful difference in people's lives.

What You'll Do as the Controller:

Lead accounting operations for a multi-location nonprofit organization with diverse healthcare and community service programs.

Manage and develop a team of three accounting professionals, setting clear expectations and ensuring accountability.

Direct month-end close activities and oversee accurate, timely financial statements and reporting.

Maintain effective internal controls, accounting policies, and compliance with GAAP and applicable nonprofit requirements.

Lead the annual audit process, coordinating financial schedules, documentation, and communication with external auditors.

Oversee accounting and reporting for government grants, restricted funds, and program-specific budgets.

Support financial planning and budgeting for new grant opportunities.

Monitor accounting activity across multiple programs and funding sources.

Review payroll-related financial transactions and reconciliations while coordinating with the separate payroll function.

Partner with the CFO and program leaders to resolve financial issues and improve reporting processes.

Strengthen accounting workflows, support staff development, and help build the department's future leadership capabilities.

Remain involved in day-to-day accounting work while providing clear direction and oversight.

Must-Haves as the Controller:

Approximately 8+ years of progressive accounting experience, including substantial responsibility for financial operations.

Proven experience directly managing accounting employees and holding a team accountable for results.

Ability to independently lead month-end close, financial reporting, and annual audit coordination.

Strong understanding of GAAP, internal controls, reconciliations, and financial compliance.

Experience in nonprofit accounting or a comparably complex, multi-program financial environment.

Ability to oversee multiple financial priorities, reporting deadlines, and organizational needs.

Strong communication skills and confidence working with senior leadership and operational teams.

A hands-on management approach with the judgment to solve problems without constant direction.

Ability to coach employees and improve team performance.

Willingness to work onsite at the Newark, NJ headquarters Monday through Friday.

Nice-to-Haves as the Controller:

Previous Controller experience in nonprofit healthcare, behavioral health, human services, or community-based organizations.

Experience with grant accounting, restricted funding, and government-funded programs.

Familiarity with federal, state, and county grant reporting requirements.

Sage MIP accounting software experience.

Experience managing finances across multiple locations or service lines.

Background developing accounting employees or mentoring an Assistant Controller.

Experience overseeing payroll accounting and reconciliations.

Experience as an Assistant Controller or Accounting Manager with substantial independent leadership responsibility.

Our Client Offers:

Base salary of $95,000-$115,000, depending on experience.

Potential compensation flexibility to approximately $120,000 for an exceptional candidate, subject to approval.

403(b) retirement plan with employer matching benefits, subject to current plan terms.

Additional pension plan with potential employer contributions based on organizational performance.

Health insurance with employee premiums based on salary tiers.

Employer-paid dental, vision, and life insurance.

Prescription coverage.

Potential annual salary increases and discretionary appreciation or retention bonuses.

Complimentary lunch.

A collaborative accounting department with experienced, long-tenured leadership.

Meaningful responsibility across multiple nonprofit programs and funding streams.

Opportunity to mentor and develop accounting professionals.

Potential long-term advancement into broader finance leadership.

A stable, mission-focused organization with a long history of serving New Jersey communities.

Trueline and its clients are unabashed equal-opportunity employers committed to a diverse workforce. We welcome smart and ambitious applicants and recruit, refer, hire, place, and promote without regard to race, color, gender, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, age, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by federal or state law.