Controller/Director of Finance

$220,000 - $250,000/Yr

Ethical Culture Fieldston School - New York, NY

Full-time - Senior

Onsite - New York, NY

1,001-5,000 employees

Educational Services

About the position

The Controller/Director of Finance at Ethical Culture Fieldston School is responsible for overseeing the school's financial functions, including budgeting, accounting, compliance, and reporting. This role involves managing a team, ensuring financial accuracy, and maintaining the integrity of financial processes. The position reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer and plays a crucial role in the financial health of the school, which has an annual budget of approximately $96 million.

Responsibilities

• Overseeing the School's internal financial control structure related to accounting and financial reporting activities.
• Ensuring sustainability of financial information, processes, and systems through documentation and training.
• Managing general ledger accuracy, cash flow projections, and accounting-related activities.
• Responsible for all cash receipts and overseeing the fiscal year-end close.
• Overseeing monthly budget reports and facilitating timely monthly closes.
• Managing financial reconciliations and ensuring accurate accounting for development accounts.
• Leading a team of approximately 7 professionals and providing outstanding customer service to the school community.
• Liaising with the Technology team to advance new financial systems.
• Managing payroll functions for roughly 400+ faculty and staff, partnering with Human Resources.
• Working with auditors to ensure compliance and accuracy in financial statements.
• Providing vital information for decision-making processes.
• Ensuring adherence to regulatory and tax reporting requirements.
• Fostering positive relationships with team members and stakeholders.
• Motivating and leading the team to achieve goals and encouraging professional development.
• Performing other projects and duties as assigned.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or a related area is required; a Master's degree is strongly preferred.
• A minimum of 8 years of financial experience, primarily in education or non-profit settings.
• At least 5 years of accounting and audit supervisory experience.
• Advanced Excel skills and experience in a Google environment.
• Strong knowledge of business accounting policies and financial software programs, such as Blackbaud and Docuware.
• Ability to communicate financial concepts to non-financial individuals.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to prioritize tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills to lead a large team.
• Self-motivated with the ability to learn quickly and adapt to changes.
• Ability to build relationships with various constituencies and foster a positive team environment.
• Capability to handle confidential material with discretion and integrity.
• Willingness to learn and embrace new ideas and technology.
• Ability to remain calm in stressful situations and problem-solve effectively.
• Highly detail-oriented, organized, and resourceful.
• Proficiency with technology, including Google Suite.
• Consistency in attendance and ability to work at both campuses as needed.
• Respect and appreciation for diversity in all forms.

Nice-to-haves

• CPA certification is a plus.