Controller

Overview

Controller  Founded in 1997, Think Education partners with schools to change the odds for kids by providing award-winning programs during and outside the school day. We’re one of California’s largest nonprofits working in school districts from San Diego to San Francisco. Whether you’re interested in early learning, elementary, middle or high school, you can invest in your community by working at a local school or working within our home office providing support!

JOB SUMMARY:

The Controller is a key financial leader, responsible for managing core accounting operations, ensuring compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and regulatory requirements, and driving process improvements. This role oversees accounts payable and receivable, procurement, payroll integration, tax filings, grant & fund accounting, Single Audit readiness, and internal controls. This role is instrumental in designing, implementing, and continuously improving the monthly and annual close process to ensure accuracy, efficiency, and timeliness. The Controller leads the accounting team, coordinates audits, and provides actionable insights to support organizational performance and long-term sustainability.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Ensure the integrity, accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of the general ledger and financial statements, including the chart of accounts, accounting policies, significant and complex transactions, journal entries, account reconciliations, and balance-sheet substantiation.
• Design, implement, and continuously improve a disciplined monthly and annual close process, including ownership of close calendars, accountability structures, review checkpoints, escalation procedures, and quality controls.
• Oversee revenue recognition, contract accounting, billing, and accounts receivable controls. Ensure district contracts, grants, attendance or service-delivery data, invoices, contract assets, deferred revenue, and receivables are complete, accurate, and reconciled. Establish controls to identify unbilled services, revenue leakage, billing disputes, and collection risks.
• Oversee accounting controls and reporting processes that support compliance with Expanded Learning fiscal requirements.
• Ensure robust internal controls and compliance across all financial activities. Maintain segregation of duties and identify and mitigate financial and operational risks.
• Maintain and update departmental procedures documentation regularly.
• Lead annual financial statement audits and the Single Audit in coordination with external CPA firms. Oversee other required financial reviews, including accounts receivable and workers’ compensation audits, and coordinate the timely resolution of audit findings.
• Ensure nonprofit-specific GAAP compliance (ASC 958) and consistency across entities, programs, and funding sources.
• Review financial results critically through fluctuation and variance analysis, investigating unexpected movements, unusual transactions, missing activity, and other anomalies to ensure accuracy and completeness prior to reporting.
• Oversee accounts payable and accounts receivable processes, cash application, procurement oversight, and fixed-asset accounting, implementing effective monitoring, approval, coding, capitalization, and reconciliation procedures.
• Oversee cash accounting and treasury operations, including bank reconciliations, bank-account administration, payment controls, authorized signers, debt and investment accounting, and support for short-term liquidity forecasting. Partner with the CFO on banking relationships, capital structure, and liquidity strategy.
• Oversee payroll postings to the general ledger and the reconciliation of payroll and benefits accounts.
• Oversee the accurate and timely preparation and filing of Form 990 and other required federal, state, local, sales, property, and informational tax filings, in coordination with internal and external tax resources.
• Partner closely with FP&A and operational leaders to reconcile actual results to forecasts, explain key drivers of variances, improve budget accuracy, and support organization-wide decision-making.
• Lead, coach, mentor, and develop the accounting team by establishing clear expectations, providing ongoing feedback, identifying development opportunities, and creating a culture of accountability, learning, and continuous improvement.
• Build a scalable, technology-enabled accounting function by establishing appropriate service levels and performance measures and leading process improvement and automation across financial close, accounting, and reporting activities.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by the Chief Financial Officer.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or business administration required; CPA designation required; active CPA license strongly preferred. MBA preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible accounting experience, including experience leading an accounting function and managing professional accounting staff. Nonprofit, grant-funded, and multi-entity accounting experience strongly preferred.
• In-depth knowledge of GAAP and applicable federal and state financial regulations for nonprofit entities.
• Demonstrated experience in designing, implementing, and improving financial close processes, including automation and workflow enhancements.
• Experience leading accounting or finance improvements, including process redesign, automation, close acceleration, stronger internal controls, and team development.
• Demonstrated success building and sustaining high-performing teams through clear expectations, coaching, accountability, and talent development.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, establish accountability, anticipate risks, and consistently deliver high-quality results within deadlines.
• Experience using automation, analytics, or AI-enabled tools within accounting or finance processes or demonstrated ability to evaluate and adopt emerging technologies that improve efficiency, accuracy, and controls.
• Demonstrated ability to build productive cross-functional partnerships and influence outcomes through clear communication, sound judgment, and effective problem-solving.
• Exceptional analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound financial judgment, identify inconsistencies in financial information, investigate root causes, and translate findings into actionable recommendations.
• Ability to work collaboratively and maintain accuracy under tight deadlines.
• Ethical integrity and confidentiality in handling sensitive financial data.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Working conditions for this role are consistent with those found in a normal office and/or home office environment.
• Must pass a Live Scan fingerprint background check and provide a clear TB test.
• Travel up to 10%.
• Reliable transportation is required to meet the needs of the position.
• While driving is not a regular requirement of this role, employees who operate a personal or company vehicle for work purposes must maintain a valid driver's license and current auto insurance on file with HR.

COMPUTER SKILLS

• Proficiency in accounting software and Microsoft Office Suite. Advanced proficiency in Excel.
• Experience with ERP systems (NetSuite preferred) and ADP General Ledger Interface.
• Ability to use business intelligence and reporting tools for financial analysis and reporting.

CLOSING IMPACT STATEMENT:

The Controller helps safeguard the financial integrity of the organization by ensuring compliance with GAAP, grantor requirements, and applicable regulatory standards. Through accurate financial reporting and strong internal controls, the Controller supports informed decision-making and the organization’s long-term sustainability.

COMPENSATION:  

• Salary Range - $210K-$260K

This is the targeted compensation for the position. A range of factors, including but not limited to; location, skills, experience, will be considered. Actual compensation may vary.

Think Education is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, religious creed, physical disability, mental disability, age for individuals age 40 and over, medical condition (as defined by state law (for example, cancer or genetic characteristics or HIV/AIDS), marital status, military and veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, citizenship status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Our management team is dedicated to this policy with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities and general treatment during employment.  #LI-Hybrid