Senior Controller - Nonprofit & Higher Education Finance Leader

Salem College; Winston-Salem (NC); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Salem Academy and College invites applications for a Controller to direct the accounting and financial reporting functions, partnering with the CFO to guide the institution’s financial strategy in support of its mission.

The role oversees daily operations of the Controller’s Office, including audits, grants accounting, and financial systems, and ensures GAAP compliance, donor restrictions, and regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, or related field.
• Eight years of progressively responsible accounting or financial management experience.
• Five years of supervisory experience.
• GAAP knowledge, financial reporting, budgeting, internal controls, auditing, nonprofit accounting.
• Ability to analyze complex financial information and explain it to both financial and non-financial audiences.
• Strong leadership, organizational, analytical, and project management skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• High integrity, professionalism, discretion, and confidentiality.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for all accounting functions: general ledger, payables, receivables, cash receipts, payroll, fixed assets, month-end and year-end close.
• Ensure accuracy and integrity of financial records and internal controls.
• Prepare and oversee financial statements, reports to senior leadership and Board, budget-to-actual analyses, cash flow reports, and forecasts.
• Coordinate annual external audits and grant/funding compliance.
• Assist VP for Finance/CFO with operating and capital budgets, multi-year forecasting, and long-range planning.
• Oversee treasury management, banking relationships, investment and debt accounting, cash flow forecasting.
• Ensure compliance with GAAP, taxes, donor restrictions, grant requirements and debt covenants.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Analytical thinking

Project management

Excel proficiency

Team supervision

Education

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, or a closely related field

Master’s degree in a related field (preferred)

CPA designation (preferred)

Tools

Microsoft Excel

ERP financial systems

Job description

Salem Academy and College invites applications for a Controller to direct the accounting and financial reporting functions, partnering with the CFO to guide the institution’s financial strategy in support of its mission.

The role oversees daily operations of the Controller’s Office, including audits, grants accounting, and financial systems, and ensures GAAP compliance, donor restrictions, and regulatory requirements.