Financial Controller – ESP, Inc.

City Year; Athens (GA); Hybrid; USD 115,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k)

Supplemental life and disability

Paid Time Off

Job summary

Extra Special People (ESP) seeks a Financial Controller to act as a system builder and strategic partner, providing hands-on financial support as the organization grows from a $13M budget across five sites.

The role extends beyond accounting, guiding leadership and shaping culture to steward resources and sustain mission impact. Hybrid work in Georgia with occasional travel to sites in GA/NC and quarterly all-staff gatherings.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business, or related field (CPA strongly preferred).
• Experience managing or supporting a complex organizational budget at a similar size.
• Demonstrated experience leading and developing people.
• Strong command of nonprofit GAAP, financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, internal controls, audit, and financial systems.
• Experience partnering with senior leadership to connect financial information to organizational strategy.
• Experience building or improving financial processes, systems, infrastructures, controls, and reporting.
• Ability to communicate effectively with financial and non-financial audiences.

Responsibilities

• Lead financial strategy to support organizational growth and mission impact.
• Advise senior leaders on financial implications, risks, and opportunities.
• Build and optimize financial systems, processes, and reporting across multiple sites.

Skills

Non-profit GAAP

Budgeting

Forecasting

Internal controls

Financial reporting

Auditing

Executive leadership

Cross-functional communication

Systems building

Multi-site operations

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting/finance

Tools

QuickBooks

Rippling

Excel

Google Docs

Job description

ESP is looking for a senior organizational leader to serve as a system builder and strategic partner while providing hands‑on financial support as the organization expands over the next three years from a current $13M operational budget and five (5) sites today.

This role extends well beyond accounting and reporting. The Financial Controller is expected to lead with excellence, anticipate needs, solve problems, advise leaders, and continually improve how we steward our resources. Working at ESP means joining a mission‑driven organization where culture matters just as much as outcomes. Our team shows up each day believing that joy, creativity, and human connection are powerful tools for change. We are looking for a leader that can build and influence culture in their team and throughout the organization.

As a member of ESP's Leadership Team, the Financial Controller brings a thoughtful financial and business perspective to decisions across the organization. By developing a deep understanding of ESP's mission, strategy, and operations, this leader identifies financial implications, risks, and opportunities and works collaboratively to turn them into stronger outcomes and more opportunities for the communities we serve.

The ideal candidate will understand that stronger financial systems ultimately allow the organization to serve more people, expand responsibly, and create opportunities for staff to grow into new roles.

This role calls for someone who can deliver with excellence today while innovating possibilities for tomorrow‑helping ESP remain financially strong, mission‑focused, and prepared to serve more people and communities for years to come.

About ESP:

Extra Special People, Inc. (ESP) exists to create transformative experiences for people with disabilities and their families, changing communities for the better! Founded in 1986 in Watkinsville, Georgia, ESP now operates four locations across the state of Georgia and one in North Carolina to provide year‑round programming, summer camp, and family support to nearly 1,400 families and growing. To learn more, visit ESPyouandme.org

Required Experience:

Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business, or related field; advanced degree and/or CPA strongly preferred.
Experience managing or supporting a complex organizational budget, ideally at an organization of our size.
Demonstrated experience leading and developing people.
Strong command of non‑profit GAAP, financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, internal controls, audit, and financial systems.
Demonstrated experience partnering with senior leadership to connect financial information to organizational strategy and operational decisions.
Experience improving or building financial processes, systems, infrastructures, controls, and reporting.
Skilled in Quickbooks, Rippling, Excel, Google Docs and similar systems
Ability to communicate effectively with financial and non‑financial audiences.
Demonstrated ability to operate successfully at both strategic and detailed levels.
Preferred Requirements

Experience working with executive leadership and/or boards
Nonprofit financial experience
Proven experience with multi‑site or multi‑location operations, or a demonstrated ability to build financial systems that support organizational growth.

Job Details:

Compensation: $115,000 - $135,000
FLSA Status: Exempt, Salaried, Full‑Time
Benefits: Competitive benefits package including health insurance, 401(k), supplemental life and disability, generous Paid Time Off
A fun, energetic, and passionate employee culture
The opportunity to be a part of an undeniable mission changing lives daily
Supervisor: Chief Operating Officer
Supervises: Finance Officer
Location & Work Arrangement: Hybrid role based in Watkinsville, GA, with an expectation of working in the office 2-3 days per week, along with occasional travel to sites across Georgia and North Carolina. The role also includes quarterly all‑staff convenings held in person.