Controller

$100,000 - $125,000/Yr

Union Settlement Association - New York, NY

Full-time - Manager

Hybrid - New York, NY

251-500 employees

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations

About the position

Union Settlement is seeking a Controller to lead the fiscal strategy and monetary growth of the organization. This role is pivotal in ensuring the financial vitality of Union Settlement, a nonprofit organization that has been serving the East Harlem community since 1895. The Controller will work under the direction of the Chief Operating Officer (COO) and will be responsible for establishing and updating strategic planning documents and key performance metrics. The ideal candidate will possess exceptional analytical and financial acumen, strategic aptitude, and the ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining attention to detail. This position requires a strong understanding of nonprofit accounting, fund and grant accounting, compliance, and reporting, as well as experience in affordable housing management and compliance requirements. The Controller will provide guidance and advice to the CEO, COO, and Board on legal and regulatory financial matters, develop predictive models and financial analyses, and ensure compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). The successful applicant will also oversee all internal fiscal personnel and any outsourced finance personnel, contracts, and auditors. This role is not only about managing finances but also about being a strategic advisor to the executive team, guiding investment decisions, and ensuring that Union Settlement remains secure and on a continual pathway of success. The Controller will also be responsible for maintaining privacy of all employee, vendor, client, and company information, ensuring that all statutory regulations and audit requirements are met.

Responsibilities

• Provides guidance and advice to the CEO/COO and the Board on legal and regulatory financial matters; evaluates operations, identifies barriers, and recommends/implements corrective actions as necessary.
• Develops and utilizes forward-looking, predictive models and activity-based financial analyses to provide insight into the organization's operations and business plans.
• Provides hands-on leadership and business partnership to cross-functional department leaders with the direction established in the strategic plan.
• Provides timely and accurate analysis of budgets, forecasts, financial reports, and operational trends to support strategic decision-making at the Executive and Board level.
• Collaborates with the executive team in developing financial planning, procuring capital investments, succession planning or joint ventures.
• Assesses and evaluates fiscal data to ascertain progress and lead future decisions to maintain fiscal stability, build a solid financial structure to keep Union Settlement secure and on a continual pathway of success.
• Develops and executes comprehensive financial growth initiatives, identifies the most appropriate tactics to address present financial challenges and avoid future threats.
• Drives and enhances relationships with external lenders, clients, and suppliers while negotiating contracts for maximum cost-effectiveness.
• Studies short and long-range economic trends and projects the impact on Union Settlement's future growth and organizational sustainability; creates opportunities for capital development.
• Represents the organization to its financial partners, including financial institutions, donors, auditors, and grantors.
• Ensures appropriate controls and record-keeping procedures are in place to meet all statutory regulations, accounting standards, practices, and audit requirements.
• Works with the CEO/COO, Executive team, external Finance consultant team, and Board of Directors to establish budget, priorities, and planning and implementation strategies.
• Accountable for the proper receipt and disbursement of departmental funds including state, federal and other monies, and ensure funds are used for the purposes for which they were intended; direct submission of due diligence.
• Monitors variances to the Department(s) budgets, analyze the cause(s) and implement necessary adjustments; exercise overall supervision and direction of billings and reimbursements; and related work as required.
• Oversees preparation and communications of financial statements, government and annual audits, proper tax filings, and reports related entities including real estate development and housing entities.
• Oversees cash flow planning, investment and asset management, as necessary, and executive risk insurance programs.
• Reviews current internal operations to assess the effectiveness of production, inventory management, logistics, and service, and ensures that records and inventories are properly maintained and reported.
• Works with leadership to identify opportunities to improve supply, procurement, service costs, and efficiencies.
• Works alongside the department leaders to develop budget and create a robust costing model; improve the budgeting process on a continual basis through education on financial issues impacting their budgets.
• Develops and maintains financial policies, procedures, protocols, and performance-based metrics to ensure company goals are met on a yearly basis.
• Complies with all regulations regarding corporate integrity and security obligations; reports unethical, fraudulent, or unlawful activity.
• Oversee the Finance Team (internal and consultants) to ensure proper maintenance of all accounting systems and functions; manages and evaluates performance.
• Provides leadership, training and technical assistance to the Department's key officers and staff.
• Ensures effective labor utilization with greater efficiency and focus on profitability in conjunction with programs and services Leadership, and Human Resources Department.
• Serves as staff liaison to Union Settlement's Board of Director's Fiscal Committees; serves as the primary point of contact.
• Interfaces with funding sources to ensure that all eligible funding resources are made available, and develops and implements corrective action plans, when necessary, in response to federal and state audit findings and recommendations.

Requirements

• MBA in business or associated degree with emphasis in accounting, business administration or public administration, CPA or CMA preferred.
• Ten (10) years of experience in a senior financial-management position partnering with executive staff and the implementation of financial management strategies required.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, develop, coordinate, and supervise the work of a staff engaged in performing departmental fiscal and administrative tasks.
• Demonstrated experience of nonprofit accounting, fund and grant accounting, compliance, and reporting.
• Experience with various affordable and supportive housing programs.
• Understanding and experience in affordable housing management and compliance requirements.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the Office of Management and Budget Circular A133 audits.
• Knowledge of housing accounting a plus.
• Advanced proficiency with financial management software.
• Exceptional business acumen, coupled with strategic and analytical capabilities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in strategic financial planning and analysis.
• Familiarity with nonprofit audit best practices and state, federal and local law regarding nonprofit operations.

Benefits

• Competitive salary range of $100,000 - $125,000 annually.
• Potential for some remote work options.
• Comprehensive health benefits package.
• Retirement savings plan options.
• Professional development opportunities.