Region Controller

First for a reason:

At First Student, we are a family of 60,000+ employees who take pride in safely transporting more than 5 million students and passengers to and from their destinations each day! Our family of brands include Transco, Total Transportation, Maggies Paratransit, and GVC II. Our employees are at the forefront of safety and innovation; they create and implement the most advanced training and technology the transportation industry has to offer.

Salary: $140,000 – $150,000 + Comprehensive Benefits

Join First Student, the leading provider of student transportation services in North America, and make an impact across the South Region U.S.!

We’re seeking a financial leader with strong multi-location service industry experience to support operational and financial performance across multiple sites.

This is a remote position, but candidates must live within one hour of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) and be able to travel about 50% of the time to the locations they support.

In this role, you’ll safeguard company assets, oversee financial performance, and partner with regional leaders on budgeting, forecasting, and contract evaluation. You’ll also train operations staff to strengthen financial literacy and drive smarter decision-making.

• Comprehensive Benefits – Medical, dental, vision, 401(k), paid holidays & vacation, wellness programs

• Career Growth – Internal promotions and a Manager-in-Development program to prepare future leaders

• Ongoing Training – Safety, risk management, technology, and operations efficiency

• Inclusive Culture – We value diversity and ensure all voices are heard

• Community Impact – Play a key role in delivering safe, reliable service to local communities

• Assist with location-level audits of accounting transactions and procedures to ensure compliance with IFRS and company policies; recommend and follow up on corrective actions

• Train and assist location personnel in accounting systems and procedures; conduct training sessions to raise financial competency of management teams

• Review and monitor fleet, including cascading, right-sizing, and lost business transitions for the Region; review capital request processes

• Review and analyze fleet systems (auditing, accounting, vehicle maintenance) to ensure accurate representation of fleet figures, including periodic physical audits

• Assist with contract bid development and rate calculations; prepare financial models and validate assumptions for contract analysis

• Support month-end close and financial reporting statements as needed

• Manage journal entries and analyze location-level income statements

• Prepare annual operating plans and monthly forecasts for assigned locations

• Perform special projects, analysis, and reporting for operations and regional leadership

• Experience in the transportation or service industry (preferred)

• Proven track record of overseeing financial operations across multiple regional sites

• Ability to educate operational employees on complex financial topics (P&L, budgets, labor costs, revenue)

• Based in the Atlanta Metro Area with access to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

• Ability to travel 50% of the time

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field (CPA/CMA/MBA a plus)

• 5+ years of finance/accounting experience

• Strong skills in financial modeling, budgeting, and forecasting

• Advanced Excel skills (macros a plus)

In the state of Washington, all technician and driving positions, including but not limited to van drivers and any other position requiring employees to drive a company-owned vehicle, are considered safety-sensitive and are therefore subject to drug and alcohol testing, including cannabis.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status. First is also committed to providing a drug-free workplace. First will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Los Angeles Fair Chance Ordinance, and any other fair chance law. Philadelphia’s Fair Criminal Record Screening Standards Ordinance Poster is at this link or upon request https://www.phila.gov/media/20210423160847/Fair-Chance-Hiring-law-poster.pdf.