Controller - Finance

Controller

Job Description

Department: Finance
Reports To: Chief Financial Officer
FLSA Status: Exempt
Salary Range: $120,000–$140,000 annually
Supervisory Responsibility: Staff Accountant and other assigned Finance personnel

POSITION SUMMARY

The Controller provides leadership and oversight of Lifeline Connections’ accounting and financial reporting functions. The position is responsible for maintaining accurate and timely financial records, ensuring sound internal controls, supporting regulatory and funding compliance, and providing financial information that supports organizational decision-making.

The Controller oversees general ledger accounting, month-end and year-end close, financial reporting, grant and contract accounting, payroll accounting, audit preparation, financial systems, internal controls, and assigned Finance staff. The Controller works closely with the Chief Financial Officer, Finance, Human Resources, Payroll, Revenue Cycle, program leadership, and executive leadership to support effective financial stewardship and organizational sustainability.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Accounting & Financial Reporting

• Oversee day-to-day accounting operations and maintain the integrity of the general ledger and chart of accounts.
• Review journal entries, account reconciliations, accruals, allocations, and supporting schedules.
• Lead monthly, quarterly, and year-end close processes and ensure completion within established timelines.
• Prepare and review financial statements, management reports, and financial analyses.
• Identify material variances, unusual transactions, and financial risks and communicate findings to appropriate leadership.
• Ensure financial records are complete, accurate, appropriately documented, and audit-ready.

Budget, Grant & Contract Management

• Support development of the annual operating and capital budgets and monitor actual results against approved budgets.
• Provide program leaders with financial guidance related to budgets, contracts, grants, and funding requirements.
• Oversee financial accounting and reporting for grants, contracts, restricted funds, and other funding sources.
• Monitor contract and grant budget performance, including underspending, overspending, invoicing, reimbursement, reconciliations, and reporting.
• Review financial components of grant applications, renewals, budget modifications, and contract amendments.
• Identify funding risks and work with leadership to develop appropriate corrective actions.

Payroll Accounting & Financial Systems

• Oversee payroll-related accounting, reconciliations, accruals, and general ledger activity in partnership with Payroll and Human Resources.
• Ensure payroll activity is accurately reflected in financial records and investigate significant discrepancies.
• Provide functional oversight of Acumatica, Divvy, and other assigned financial systems.
• Maintain appropriate financial system controls, account coding, workflows, and data integrity.
• Identify opportunities to improve or automate financial processes while maintaining appropriate controls.

Internal Controls, Audit & Compliance

• Develop, implement, and monitor accounting policies, procedures, internal controls, and segregation of duties.
• Identify accounting, financial, compliance, and operational risks and recommend mitigation strategies.
• Coordinate preparation for financial audits, grant monitoring, contract reviews, and other external financial reviews.
• Prepare or review audit schedules, reconciliations, supporting documentation, and management responses.
• Lead financial Corrective Action Plans resulting from audits, monitoring reviews, or identified control deficiencies.
• Ensure financial reporting and accounting practices comply with applicable laws, regulations, contractual requirements, funding requirements, organizational policies, and generally accepted accounting principles.

Leadership & Continuous Improvement

• Supervise, coach, and evaluate assigned Finance staff.
• Establish clear performance expectations, deadlines, and standards of accountability.
• Assess employee competency based on demonstrated knowledge, skills, accuracy, judgment, and ability to perform assigned responsibilities.
• Ensure appropriate training, cross-training, and backup coverage for critical Finance functions.
• Develop and maintain written procedures for key accounting processes.
• Use financial performance data, findings, errors, and stakeholder feedback to identify and implement process improvements.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

The Controller is expected to demonstrate competency through observable performance and measurable outcomes in the following areas:

• Accounting & Financial Reporting: Applies GAAP and nonprofit accounting principles to complex financial transactions and reporting.
• Financial Stewardship: Demonstrates responsible oversight of organizational resources and supports long-term financial sustainability.
• Grant & Contract Management: Effectively manages restricted funding, contract budgets, invoicing, financial reporting, and funding compliance.
• Financial Analysis: Identifies trends, discrepancies, risks, and material variances and develops appropriate recommendations.
• Internal Controls & Risk Management: Establishes and evaluates controls that protect organizational resources and reduce financial risk.
• Audit & Regulatory Readiness: Maintains accurate, organized, and accessible financial records and effectively coordinates external reviews.
• Leadership & Staff Development: Establishes expectations, assesses competency, develops employees, and addresses performance concerns.
• Technology & Data Integrity: Demonstrates proficiency with financial systems and maintains reliable financial data.
• Communication & Collaboration: Clearly communicates financial information and works effectively with financial and non-financial stakeholders.
• Accountability & Continuous Improvement: Takes ownership of financial operations, resolves or escalates concerns appropriately, and improves systems and processes.

PERFORMANCE MEASURES

Performance may be evaluated based on:

• Timely completion of monthly and year-end close processes.
• Accuracy and timeliness of financial statements and management reports.
• Percentage of significant accounts reconciled within established deadlines.
• Timely identification and reporting of significant financial and budget variances.
• Accuracy and timeliness of grant and contract invoices, reports, and reconciliations.
• Timely completion of audit requests and financial Corrective Action Plans.
• Number and significance of repeat audit or internal-control findings.
• Effectiveness of accounting controls and remediation of identified deficiencies.
• Accuracy and integrity of financial system data.
• Demonstrated competency and performance of assigned Finance staff.
• Completion and effectiveness of identified process-improvement initiatives.

Performance will consider the Controller’s ability to identify, communicate, document, and appropriately address financial concerns within the scope of the position, rather than solely whether a financial variance or issue occurs.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field required.
• Five years of progressively responsible accounting or financial management experience required.
• Two years of supervisory, accounting leadership, or senior-level review responsibility preferred.
• Demonstrated experience with general ledger accounting, financial statements, reconciliations, month-end close, budgeting, internal controls, and audit preparation.
• Experience with nonprofit, healthcare, behavioral health, human services, grant-funded, or contract-funded organizations strongly preferred.
• Experience with grant and contract accounting preferred.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel and accounting/ERP systems; experience with Acumatica, Divvy, or comparable systems preferred.
• CPA, CMA, or comparable professional credential preferred.
• Strong analytical, organizational, communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills.

ORGANIZATIONAL EXPECTATIONS

Employees are expected to perform their responsibilities in accordance with Lifeline Connections’ mission, values, policies, confidentiality requirements, applicable laws and regulations, funding requirements, and accreditation standards.

The Controller is responsible for maintaining the competencies necessary to perform the position and for ensuring assigned Finance personnel receive appropriate supervision, training, competency development, and performance feedback.

This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of responsibilities. Duties may be modified based on organizational, regulatory, funding, accreditation, or operational needs. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.