School Controller at The Shefa School

Park Slope Jewish Center; New York (NY); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

The Shefa School in Manhattan seeks a School Controller to manage daily accounting, journal entries, reconciliations, and internal controls. This full-time, on-campus, 12-month role reports to the Chief Financial Officer and partners with school leadership.

Responsibilities include GAAP-compliant reporting, month-end close, audits, Form 990, and coordination of financial aid with families. Strong QuickBooks and Excel skills, plus attention to detail and communication, are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field.
• Five to seven years of progressive accounting experience; nonprofit or independent school experience preferred.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP, financial reporting, account reconciliation, budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis.
• Proficiency in QuickBooks and Microsoft Excel (pivot tables and data formulas).
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, strong attention to detail, and superior organizational skills.
• Experience administering financial aid programs, tuition assistance, or other student financial services preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage the School's accounting activities to ensure accurate, timely, and complete financial reporting in accordance with GAAP
• Oversee day-to-day accounting and financial operations, including month-end and year-end close, financial reporting, account analysis and reconciliations, and internal controls
• Facilitate the annual financial audit and Form 990 filing process with external auditors and tax advisors
• Prepare financial statements, management reports, and analyses for the CFO, Head of School, and Board committees
• Establish, maintain, and evaluate internal controls, accounting policies, and procedures
• Serve as a lead member of the School's Financial Aid Committee, reviewing applications and communicating with families about awards, tuition obligations, and payment plans
• Coordinate submissions for government funding and foundation grants

Skills

GAAP knowledge

Financial analysis

Budgeting

Forecasting

Attention to detail

Verbal and written communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field

Tools

QuickBooks

Microsoft Excel

Job description

About the Organization:

The Shefa School is a Jewish community day school in Manhattan serving students in grades K-8. Shefa specifically serves students with language-based learning disabilities who have not yet reached their potential levels of success in traditional classroom settings. Shefa is a pluralistic community school, serving families across the range of Jewish involvement and observance.

Position Overview:

The School Controller is a full-time, on-campus, 12-month position handling all daily accounting functions, including recording journal entries, preparing account reconciliations, and reviewing and maintaining financial controls. This position reports directly to the Chief Financial Officer.

Responsibilities:

• Manage the School's accounting activities to ensure accurate, timely, and complete financial reporting in accordance with GAAP
• Oversee day-to-day accounting and financial operations, including month-end and year-end close, financial reporting, account analysis and reconciliations, and internal controls
• Facilitate the annual financial audit and Form 990 filing process with external auditors and tax advisors
• Prepare financial statements, management reports, and analyses for the CFO, Head of School, and Board committees
• Establish, maintain, and evaluate internal controls, accounting policies, and procedures
• Serve as a lead member of the School's Financial Aid Committee, reviewing applications and communicating with families about awards, tuition obligations, and payment plans
• Coordinate submissions for government funding and foundation grants

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field required
• Five to seven years of progressive accounting experience; nonprofit or independent school experience preferred
• Strong knowledge of GAAP, financial reporting, account reconciliation, budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis
• Proficiency in QuickBooks and Microsoft Excel (pivot tables and data formulas)
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, strong attention to detail, and superior organizational skills
• Experience administering financial aid programs, tuition assistance, or other student financial services preferred