Controller

Controller 

Hackley School

Job Description 

Job Summary:

The Controller is responsible for the day-to-day management of the School's accounting operations, including the integrity of the general ledger, financial reporting, account reconciliations, payroll accounting, internal controls, and audit coordination. Working closely with the Chief Financial Officer, the Controller ensures accurate financial records, compliance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), and effective financial processes that support the School's mission and strategic objectives. 

Duties and Responsibilities:

Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, the Controller is responsible for overseeing the School's accounting operations and ensuring the integrity of the School's financial records, reporting, and internal controls. 

The Controller’s responsibilities include the following, but are not limited to:

Accounting and Account reconciliations

• Maintain the General Ledger, including posting and closing of the accounting periods and fiscal years
• Prepare for the annual audit by creating various year-end schedules and entering the appropriate adjusting entries
• Provide external auditors with information, schedules, and explanations before, during, and after audit fieldwork. 
• Establish and maintain a system of internal controls and accounting procedures to ensure the accuracy and integrity of financial records.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of internal accounting controls and recommend improvements as needed
• Identify, recommend, and implement process improvements to enhance the efficiency, accuracy, and effectiveness of accounting operations
• Reconcile and record purchases made via school credit card
  • Implement automated credit card transaction processing software
• Ensure proper allocation to G/L of receipts and expenses and corrective journal entries as needed
• Assist in financial statement preparation and timely submission of various financial information internally and externally
• Prepare account reconciliations for various balance sheet and P&L accounts on a monthly or quarterly including but not limited to:
  • Bank reconciliations
  • Investment Account reconciliations including the endowment
  • Pledge Receivable
  • Other Assets
  • Fixed Assets
  • Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses
  • Other liabilities
  • Restricted Revenues
  • Tuition Revenue
  • Payroll Expense

Payroll

• Prepare and execute funding of employee retirement and HSA accounts with third party administrators
• Prepare and record payroll journal entries for each payroll processed and ensures that all payroll entries/changes are justified and properly documented

Financial Reporting

• Ensure compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and applicable nonprofit accounting standards
• Provide monthly budget versus actual report to all departments and responds to questions
• Prepare consolidated financial report on a monthly basis
• Assist the Chief Financial Officer with the preparation of the annual operating budget and periodic financial forecasts

Perform other related duties and special projects as assigned by the Chief Financial Officer. 

Job Qualifications

• Education
  • Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance required
  • Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license required. 
• Experience
  • Minimum 7–10 years of progressive accounting experience
  • Experience supervising accounting staff preferred
  • Experience in nonprofit accounting required or strongly preferred
  • Independent school experience preferred
• Competencies 
  • Demonstrate exceptional attention to detail and accuracy
  • Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build collaborative relationships across departments
  • Self-starter, resourceful, well organized, with the ability to work well without supervision
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including pivot tables, lookup functions, and financial reporting. Experience with accounting and ERP systems required; experience with Blackbaud Financial Edge NXT and/or Veracross is strongly preferred
  • Support the mission of the School by collaborating with Finance Office staff and other departments to achieve institutional goals
  • Demonstrated initiative and commitment to continuous process improvement
  • Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
  • Sound judgment and ethical decision-making 
  • Ability to maintain the highest level of confidentiality and professionalism

Salary and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $120,000-$150,000 depending on experience.  

Hackley School offers a comprehensive benefits package, which includes a medical, dental and vision package; sick and vacation time; life insurance, AD&D and long-term disability insurance; flexible spending or health savings account; tuition remission; and the possibility of on-campus housing.

About Hackley School

Hackley School is a nonsectarian coeducational K-12 independent school located in Tarrytown, NY. Hackley’s mission challenges its community to grow in character, scholarship, and accomplishment, to offer unreserved effort, and to learn from the varying perspectives and backgrounds in our community and the world. 

Founded as a boarding school in 1899, Hackley enrolls approximately 855 students, including about 30 five-day boarding students in grades 9-12.  Students experience joy in the classroom and make life-long connections with each other and with our dedicated faculty, 40% of whom reside on campus. Robust extracurricular programming on our 285-acre campus creates unique opportunities for each student to learn and grow beyond the boundaries of the school day. Hackley graduates have the knowledge and confidence to pursue their passions and the drive to make a difference.

Hackley’s four core values are Enter Here to Be and Find a Friend, United We Help One Another, Character Above Intellect, and Go Forth and Spread Beauty and Light. 

Learn more about Hackley at www.hackleyschool.org.