Nonprofit Controller — Multi-Entity Finance Leader

Merritt Academy; Fairfax (VA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Health, dental and vision insurance

Vacation and sick leave

Retirement plan with employer matching

Life insurance

Discounted tuition rate for child(ren)

Job summary

The J127 Education Foundation in Fairfax, Virginia seeks a hands-on Controller to manage general ledger accounting, financial reporting, and monthly/annual close for the Foundation and its schools: Merritt Academy, First Steps Academy, and The Appletree School.

Reporting to the Director of Finance, you will strengthen internal controls, prepare budgets, coordinate audits, and partner with school leaders on forecasts, enrollment-based revenue analyses, and multi-entity reporting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or closely related field.
• CPA designation is required.
• At least 4 years of progressive accounting experience with strong general ledger, reporting, and month/year-end close responsibilities.
• Knowledge of GAAP, accrual accounting, reconciliations, and financial statement prep; nonprofit/education exp. preferred.
• Experience with budgets, personnel projections, and variance analyses; able to investigate discrepancies.

Responsibilities

• Manage monthly, quarterly, and year-end close activities with journal entries and reconciliations.
• Maintain general ledger integrity including accruals, prepaid expenses, allocations, and adjustments.
• Prepare bank, balance sheet, and GL reconciliations; investigate discrepancies and resolve items.
• Coordinate intercompany and interfund accounting across Foundation’s schools and funds; manage investment entries.
• Prepare financial statements; analyze fluctuations and report findings to Finance Director and leadership.
• Coordinate year-end audit schedules and Form 990 documentation; assist with auditor requests.
• Support annual operating budgets, projections, and revenue analyses; provide forecasts to leadership.
• Prepare budget-to-actual reports and explain variances to inform decisions.
• Ensure GAAP compliance and strengthen internal controls; suggest improvements.

Skills

GAAP

Financial reporting

Budgeting

Variance analysis

Multi-entity reporting

Communication

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in accounting/finance

CPA designation

Tools

Blackbaud FE NXT

Blackbaud Tuition Management

Paylocity

Excel

Job description

The J127 Education Foundation in Fairfax, Virginia seeks a hands-on Controller to manage general ledger accounting, financial reporting, and monthly/annual close for the Foundation and its schools: Merritt Academy, First Steps Academy, and The Appletree School.

Reporting to the Director of Finance, you will strengthen internal controls, prepare budgets, coordinate audits, and partner with school leaders on forecasts, enrollment-based revenue analyses, and multi-entity reporting.