Job Title: Controller
Department: Business Office
FLSA Status: Exempt
The Hewitt School - New York, NY
About Hewitt
Established in 1920 and located in New York City, The Hewitt School is an independent K-12 girls’ school whose mission is to inspire girls and young women to become game changers and ethical leaders who forge an equitable, sustainable, and joyous future. Hewitt empowers and expects our community members to embrace multiple points of view, to engage others with empathy and integrity, and to champion equity and justice in all areas of our lives. As a community, Hewitt is fully committed to a culturally diverse faculty, staff, and student body.
Position Summary
The controller reports to the chief operating officer and works in close relationship with the human resources manager, accounts payable and student billing manager, and the senior accountant. The controller’s primary functions are to manage the general ledger, supervise accounts payable, manage cash flow, implement effective financial control processes, and ensure timely and accurate financial reporting.
Essential Functions/Responsibilities
- Monthly accounting close processes, including, but not limited to, reconciling bank accounts, investment accounts, liability accounts, and recording month-end journal entries
- Records and reconciles gifts and pledges from the advancement office
- Files sales and use tax reports, and prepares Form 1099 for vendors
- Manages the annual financial audit, retirement plan audit, and Form 990 preparation
- Ensures compliance with GAAP and applicable non-profit accounting standards
- Records all transactions related to debt payments
- Prepares schedules and financial statements as needed for the annual audit; serves as the primary liaison with external auditors
- Reconciles accounts receivable from auxiliary programs and other income sources
- Prepares and verifies payroll journal entries
- Supports the human resources manager and is the primary backup to process semi-monthly payroll
- Manages banking relationships for operating funds and credit cards
- Assists the chief operating officer in preparing and monitoring departmental budgets
- Prepares data for periodic surveys for the School’s trade organizations (i.e., NYSAIS, NAIS, NBOA)
- Maintains fixed asset ledgers and capitalized acquisitions, recording depreciation and disposals
- Leads the design and/or implementation of business office projects, such as developing and documenting financial processes and procedures
Qualifications Required
- Demonstrated commitment to anti-bias education and social justice
- Bachelor’s degree in accounting
- Minimum of 7-10 years of experience in non-profit accounting
- Experience with Blackbaud Financial Edge and Google Workspace
- Experience with data import/export and file management
- Strong knowledge of accounting principles and audit procedures
- Solid understanding of non-profit operations and multi-year gift accounting
- Experience in processing and evaluating confidential financial records
- Experience developing accurate, timely, and useful financial reports
- Able to identify and employ appropriate technology across the responsibilities of the position
- Strong communication skills and the ability to effectively communicate accounting, financial, and service issues that may be complex in nature.
- Ability to maintain open communication channels with administrators, faculty, staff, and customers at the School
- Excellent problem-solving skills with the ability to consider a broad range of internal and external factors when solving problems
- Grasps complexities and perceives relationships among different problems or issues
- Superior time management and organizational skills, and the ability to manage many projects simultaneously while adhering to deadlines and commitments
- Create action plans to meet goals and periodically review progress toward goals
- Work collaboratively and effectively with immediate co-workers, and provide excellent customer service to all school divisions, clients, and vendors
Qualifications Desired
- Master's degree in accounting or CPA
- Experience in non-profit accounting, preferably within an independent school or other educational institution
- Proficient with Mac platforms; comfortable with technology or demonstrated ability to learn quickly
- Commitment to student life
- Proven dedication to professional growth and purpose-driven practice
- Professional practice and ability to model contemplation as part of intellectual exploration
SALARY RANGE
Starting Salary Range: $140,000 to $180,000 (salary based upon, but not limited to, relevant experience and expertise)
TO APPLY: Please submit a resumé, cover letter, and examples of previous relevant work via our applicant tracking portal . Cover letters should reflect a careful reading of The Hewitt School’s website, including the School’s academic philosophy. No phone calls, please. Recruitment will remain open until the position is filled; applicants should apply as soon as possible for consideration.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
The Hewitt School is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It has been and will continue to be a fundamental policy of the School not to discriminate on the basis of any category prohibited by applicable federal, New York State and/or New York City laws/regulations. This policy applies to all aspects of the employment process, including hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation/benefits, performance evaluations, disciplinary actions, training, working conditions, layoff, and termination.
Qualifications Desired
- Master's degree in accounting or CPA
- Experience in non-profit accounting, preferably within an independent school or other educational institution
- Proficient with Mac platforms; comfortable with technology or demonstrated ability to learn quickly
- Commitment to student life
- Proven dedication to professional growth and purpose-driven practice
- Professional practice and ability to model contemplation as part of intellectual exploration
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