Controller - College Success Foundation

WHO WE ARE

Our Mission: We coach and support students from low socioeconomic backgrounds to prepare for and graduate from college as transformational leaders in order to forge a just and equitable society.
College Success Foundation believes in respecting, upholding, and reflecting diversity and is committed to becoming an anti-racist organization. By leading with equity, and utilizing an anti-racist lens in our work, we center diversity, equity, and inclusion in everything we do. We believe students win when we have a high- performing culture that is committed to eliminating barriers to student achievement. Our passion is fostering educational equity, making college accessible and affordable to underserved students from low-income families.

Position Summary

The Controller is responsible for managing all daily accounting operations, for the Foundation. The position will support managers, internal and external stakeholders and others, providing accurate financial reports & analysis. The Controller is responsible for managing the fiscal functions of the Foundation in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and other regulatory and advisory organizations and in accordance with financial management techniques and practices appropriate for not-for-profit organizations.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The items listed in this section are the primary duties and responsibilities for this job and do not represent an exhaustive list. Our organization is dynamic and therefore duties may change based on business necessity; however, any new duties will remain within the scope of the job.

• Oversee the accounting department's activities for the accurate and timely dissemination of financial management reports including internal and external financial statements, audits and budgets.
• Oversee the activities of the accounts payable and receivable to ensure accurate and timely management of all account components including billings and cash receipts application, and payroll closing including federal and state reports, and check statistic management.
• Establish and maintain systems and controls that verify the integrity of all systems, processes and data, and enhance the company's value.
• Participate in a wide variety of special projects and compile a variety of special reports.
• Communicate with co-workers, management, clients and others in a courteous and professional manner.
• Conform with and abide by all regulations, policies, work procedures and instructions.
• Provide leadership to and is accountable for organizational finances through multiple layers of management and senior professional staff, as needed.
• Support Director of Finance with budgeting, cash flow planning, investment, and asset management.
• Develop models for forecasting, business planning, and reporting.
• Develop tools and systems to provide critical financial and operational information to the Director of Finance and make actionable recommendations to the same on both strategy and operations.
• Oversee and perform reconciliations of all accounts as required by CSF Policies & Procedures and usually accepted accounting practices.
• Manage, review and implement internal control functions including the preparation of an audit manual, audit plan, scheduling and assigning work.
• Ensure all relevant taxes and regulatory reports are filed consistent with local, state and federal requirements.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education & Experience

The items listed below are the minimum requirements for the job and are relevant to this position. The organization values both work experience and education and realizes that individuals take different paths to acquire knowledge.

• Bachelor's degree in finance or business required, Master of Business Administration preferred.
• CPA Certification.
• Minimum of 2-4 years of direct experience with financial management and or CMA operations: accounting, budgeting, forecasting, cash management functions.
• Minimum of 2 years' experience with Not-for-Profit accounting.
• Extensive management experience and possession of a leadership style that is inclusive but demands accountability.
• Experience managing federal and state funding.

Knowledge & Skills

• Not-for-profit accounting GAAP rules and processes.
• Business management including demonstrated skills and experience in employee supervision, program and policy.
• Funding resources and grant compliance requirements.
• Analytical, critical thinking, negotiation, and problem solving.
• Manage financial systems and leverage technology to achieve operational efficiency.
• Fiscally responsible.
• Management of bank accounts and cash activities.
• Communicate clearly in a variety of settings to a wide range of employees, partners, and stakeholders.
• Adapt to change, create an environment that supports change and resolve conflict and lead change.
• Work with board-level committees.
• Work effectively and creatively in a complex organizational setting.
• Operate in a flexible, entrepreneurial, and opportunistic environment.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills. Ability to multi-task and work well under pressure.
• Outstanding interpersonal, oral and written communications skills.
• Ability to self-motivate and work independently.
• An established commitment to work collaboratively and harmoniously with CSF staff, colleagues and stakeholders.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, respecting individual differences, and serving diverse populations.
• Develops and deepens an understanding of the principles of equity and justice, applies the principles, and serves as a champion, role model, and active participant for equity and justice activities, programs, and initiatives.

Professional Certifications and Licenses

• CPA certification

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The College Success Foundation is committed to fostering an organizational culture that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the primary duties and responsibilities of this job. Therefore, if a reasonable accommodation is required to fully participate in the interview process or to perform the primary duties and responsibilities of this role, please contact Human Resources.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to:

• Operate office equipment such as computers, servers, networking devices, and other hardware components.
• Repeatedly move up to 10 pounds and frequently lift and/or carry heavy equipment up to 50 pounds.
• Perceive, inspect, and assess data at close range.
• Communicate information and ideas to create understanding and exchange accurate information.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Role operates in a moderately quiet office environment.
• This position requires Washington state residents if assigned to a Washington based location. If this position is assigned to a District of Columbia based location, the resident must reside in the District of Columbia.
• Must be able to work a flexible work schedule, including special events, pre-planned weekends and evenings.
• Uses collaborative software for communicating with others and attending virtual meetings.
• Reliable transportation is required.

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT:
The position may change based upon needs of the program and/or organizational needs and available funding. In compliance with federal and state regulations, College Success Foundation maintains a drug free environment and all successful applicants must pass a drug screen prior to hire. Employees of College Success Foundation and its subsidiaries must be able to successfully work in and promote a multicultural and diverse work environment.

The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required and the scope of responsibility but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or otherwise to balance the workload.