KIPP NYC Controller, Finance Team

Kippamp; New York (NY); On-site; USD 185,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player in education seeks a detail-oriented Controller to lead financial operations. This pivotal role involves overseeing accounting practices, ensuring compliance with GAAP, and managing a team of nine. The Controller will partner closely with the CFO to support a growing budget and enhance financial policies. With a commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment, this position offers a unique opportunity to make a significant impact in a non-profit setting. Join a dedicated team that values collaboration and innovation, and help shape the future of education for thousands of students in New York City.

Benefits

Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance

Generous Time-Off

Parental Leave

Child and Elder Care Support

Life Insurance

Short and Long Term Disability

Paid Sabbatical

Professional Development Funds

Tuition Reimbursement

Qualifications

• 15+ years of accounting experience with a focus on non-profit and school environments.
• Strong leadership skills and experience managing a team of accountants.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily accounting operations and ensure compliance with GAAP.
• Manage the annual audit process and coordinate with external partners.

Skills

Accounting Principles

Financial Reporting

Audit Coordination

Grants Management

Leadership

Microsoft Excel

Sage Intacct

Communication Skills

Education

Bachelor's Degree

CPA

MBA

Tools

Microsoft Office

Sage Intacct

Job description

• Department: Regional Support and Leadership

Company Description

About KIPP NYC

KIPP NYC Public Schools is a non-profit network of free, public charter schools in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Manhattan. We partner with families and communities to create joyful and rigorous schools in pursuit of a more just world. In 1995 we started our first middle school, KIPP Academy, in the Bronx, with a vision that every child grows up free to create the future they want for themselves and their communities. Today, our network consists of eight elementary schools, nine middle schools, one high school, and KIPP Forward, a comprehensive program to support our students and alumni in choosing and preparing for the educational and career paths that fit their goals and sense of purpose. KIPP NYC currently serves more than 11,000 students and alumni, has a staff of more than 1,000 (11% of whom are alumni), and continues to grow.

Job Description

Position Overview

The Controller is an ambitious, detail-oriented and self-motivated individual who will report to and partner with the Chief Financial Officer (CFO). The Controller will be responsible for the day-to-day accounting for financial transactions; ensuring the monthly closing process is completed accurately for all KIPP NYC entities; and developing, implementing, and ensuring compliance with financial policies and procedures consistent with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). They will support a nearly $200M annual operating budget, growing to nearly $300M by 2030.

The Controller will be responsible for maintaining and continuously improving the system of financial controls, including general accounting, audit, tax compliance, and banking. This individual will respond quickly and with sound judgment to a variety of situations in a fast-paced environment and handle sensitive information in a professional manner. They will be hands-on and contribute at all levels including internal and external reporting, while also serving as a thought partner to the CFO on many issues. The Controller directly supervises a team of 9.

Duties & Responsibilities include (but are not limited to):

General Accounting and Reporting

1. Comply with generally accepted accounting policies and procedures
2. Maintain general ledger, subsidiary ledgers, and other accounting records needed for preparation of the financial audit
3. Manage and maintain a strict deadline to close the financial activities of the month, including the preparation and analysis of the monthly balance sheet, statement of activities, and cash flow forecasts
4. Prepare and/or review monthly, quarterly, and annual reconciliation of all accounts
5. Manage the revenue cycle and review accounts receivables and billings; enhance the process to optimize cash flow
6. Manage, maintain, and update the financial accounting system, including the full responsibility for KIPP NYC’s chart of accounts
7. Oversee all grants accounting; ensure that expenditures are consistently aligned with grant budgets throughout the grant period; manage the collection of financial reporting materials for government, corporate, and foundation grants

Financial Policies and Procedures

1. Develop, automate, and implement systems, policies, procedures, and internal controls to ensure compliance with accounting standards and improve efficiencies
2. Partner with CFO on annual updates to the Fiscal Policies and Procedures Manual
3. Ensure record retention and compliance of agency accounting files

Audit, Tax, and Lender Compliance

1. With the assistance of the external audit/tax preparation partner, prepare and submit tax returns IRS990 for all KIPP NYC entities
2. Manage the annual audit to ensure the accurate preparations of audit schedules, financial statements, and footnotes in coordination with the external preparation partner for KIPP NYC’s annual audit
3. Provide support to auditors during the annual audit

Banking

1. Manage and track the performance of invested assets in keeping with policies and investment guidelines
2. Manage the prompt reconciliation all monthly bank statements, including investment accounts
3. Manage interbank fund transfers and approve as necessary
4. Liaise with all banking and investment partners

Organizational and Team Leadership

1. Work with team to continuously improve the quality of work on the team; provide training, direction, motivation, and opportunities for skills development
2. Manage a 9 person accounting team
3. Manage relationships with internal clients and act as a key business partner to them, building high levels of professional credibility and mutual trust
4. Lead cultural and structural change management initiatives
5. Support the CFO with preparation of documentation for Audit and Finance committees

Qualifications

1. Bachelor’s degree required; CPA and/or MBA preferred
2. A seasoned accounting leader with 15+ years of accounting and finance experience including solid experience coordinating audit activities and managing accounts payable and receivable, and general ledger functions
3. Prior experience as Controller at a similar-sized organization (an operating budget of $100M - $300M) and prior experience with multiple audits across multiple entities
4. Experience working in non-profit accounting and/or experience in schools strongly preferred
5. A track record in grants management as it relates to compliance and reporting of government, corporate and foundation grants is essential
6. Commitment to recruiting, mentoring, training, and retaining a diverse team; the foresight and ability to delegate accordingly
7. Meticulous attention to detail and ability to maintain confidentiality of information
8. Strong interpersonal and communication skills; experience in effectively communicating key data, including presentations to senior management, board or other outside partners
9. Proficiency using Microsoft Office products with strong Excel skills; experience utilizing Sage Intacct and compatible accounting software strongly preferred; and an aptitude for learning new software
10. Systems builder who brings excellent analytical skills characterized by identifying, assimilating, and comprehending the critical elements of various situations, and extracting and interpreting the implications of

Additional Information

Compensation and Benefits:

KIPP NYC offers a competitive salary ranging from $185,000 - $210,000. Salary ranges at KIPP NYC are standardized based on role level and role function. Individual salaries are determined through a lens of equity, accounting for years of experience relevant to the role and scope of responsibilities, and are benchmarked against others within the same salary band.

KIPP NYC offers a generous benefits package including, but not limited to, the following:

1. Robust benefits that include medical, dental, and vision.
2. Generous Time-Off including 5 school vacation weeks, sick and personal days, and an extended summer break.
3. Up to 12 weeks 100% parental leave.
4. Bright Horizon Back-up Child and Elder care.
5. Employer paid Life Insurance and Short term/Long term disability.
6. Employee incentives including 8 Weeks paid Sabbatical after 10 years, annual professional development funds, and tuition reimbursement.

This role requires three days in office with flexibility to work from home two days a week (Wednesday in office is preferred). This role is based in NYC at our midtown Manhattan location.