Controller - Uncommon Schools

Uncommon Schools is a nonprofit network of high-performing, public charter schools providing an outstanding K-12 education in historically under-resourced communities. We have proudly built schools that reflect our student population, with more than 60% of our teachers and staff across our network identifying as a person of color. Uncommon currently manages 53 schools serving more than 20,000 students in five cities: Boston, Camden, New York City, Newark and Rochester. We are proud that Uncommon graduates persist in and graduate from college at five times the rate of their peers nationally. We achieve this by offering strong academic, co-curricular, and social-emotional learning that prepares students for success in college and beyond.

Reporting to the CFO, the Controller is responsible for the oversight of all accounting, payroll and reporting activities for the Home Office, five regional school districts and all real estate entities. The Controller will be a crucial contributor to the financial leadership of Uncommon Schools, helping drive technology and systems improvements. The Controller works closely with the CFO and the senior leadership team, and is involved in presentations to the board, finance committee, audit committee, and lenders. He/she also works with the entire Financial Management team, Home Office personnel, and school-based teams.

The Controller will lead the day-to-day accounting operations of the Home Office and 53 schools with a total operating budget of approximately $450 million. The Controller is responsible for overseeing the accounting and reporting for a real estate and debt portfolio of approximately $400 million across over 50 entities. The Controller has functional responsibility over all accounting and operations, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and grants administration. The Controller has four direct reports and supervises a team of 25 staff members.

Role and Responsibilities

Accounting Operations Oversight and Management (50%)

• Drive the organization’s technological advancement of its accounting systems and processes, including maximizing the impact and efficiency of Workday.
• Oversee all accounts, ledgers, and reporting systems ensuring compliance with appropriate GAAP and/or GASB accrual accounting standards and regulatory requirements.
• Develop and implement all internal control systems, and develop processes for identifying and reporting any gaps in controls and recommending improvements.
• Analyze financial data and present financial reports in an accurate and timely manner; clearly communicate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements; monitor progress and changes and keep CFO abreast of the organization’s financial status.
• Ensure proper maintenance of all accounting systems and functions  and to ensure fidelity of data and timely monthly, quarterly, and year-end reporting.
• Lead  program and grants accounting for both governmental and private grants; ensure that expenditures are consistently aligned with grant and program budgets and requirements throughout the grant/fund period
• Manage the payroll function and related systems, ensuring timely and accurate processing and recording of all employee pay, benefits, taxes, and fees.
• Own the full coordination of all audits and the gathering of required audit information, resulting in the production of accurate and timely financial statements and clean financial audits.
• Lead IRS Form 990 preparations and filing activity, and respond to any correspondence from the IRS as needed.
• Maintain continuous lines of communication and keep the CFO informed of all accounting issues.

Team Leadership (25%)

• Lead and inspire a team of 25+ to meet a high bar for excellence in accounting operations, payroll, accounts payable, and school support. 
• Identify and drive the organization to achieve the most efficient possible team structure, documenting processes and developing systems where necessary. 
• Develop and implement an internal training and development program to ensure the team possesses all requisite skills, techniques, and knowledge to perform their work to the highest possible standards.
• Train and mentor effective leaders and managers within the team, who are respected and sought after throughout the organization as collaborators and problem-solvers.

Cross-Functional Leadership (15%)

• Develop and maintain strong, positive, and effective working relationships with leaders from key departments, including Finance, School Operations, Human Resources, Data & IT, Development, and Grants/Compliance. 
• Partner with School Operations leaders to develop and deliver a comprehensive training protocol for all school staff who participate in accounting, accounts payable, and payroll processes. 
• Ensure all relevant policies and procedures are effectively developed in conjunction with, rolled out to, and understood by all Home Office and school leaders.
• Create structures for sharing vital updates and information with key stakeholders, including school and Home Office leaders, Board, Finance Committee, and Audit Committee members, and all staff, as necessary. 

Real Estate Accounting Oversight and Management (10%)

• Lead the accounting and reporting of all real estate related transactions, including bond financing and other third-party debt, and ensure timely and accurate accounting entries and reports to lenders, funders, and bondholders.
• Oversee accounting of all intercompany transactions related to real estate and ensure accurate and timely accounting entries and proper documentation.
• Determine proper classification of all real estate transactions and recognition of real estate related assets.
• Create internal controls to ensure proper use and release of restricted funds for real estate and other purpose

• Bachelor’s degree required
• CPA required
• 10+ years of directly related experience
• 5+ years as a Controller at a large non-profit (preferably a multi-stake CMO)
• 8+ years of progressively higher stakes leadership roles in accounting and finance
• 8+ years leading large, multi-function teams in finance and accounting
• 5+ years of experience with multi-entity, complex organizations and financial statement consolidation
• Experience leading and/or administering accounting and finance function in Workday
• Thorough understanding of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), as well as Governmental Accounting Standards (GAS) and Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) pronouncements
• Up-to-date on nonprofit expertise regarding audit best practices and state and federal law regarding nonprofit operations
• Knowledge of financial compliance and risk management including but not limited to statutory and regulatory requirements for nonprofit organizations

Our people are what make us uncommon. It’s important to us that our compensation practices align with our values and enhance our ability to attract and retain talent.  Our compensation philosophy is focused on equity and fairness, retaining our talented staff and valuing their expertise, and transparency and clarity.

Compensation for this position: Candidates who meet all job description requirements will likely receive an offer between $192,000 and $228,000. The full compensation range for this role is between $192,000 to $254,000. The starting pay will depend on various factors, including but not limited to relevant professional experience, education, certifications, and tenure with Uncommon Schools. To receive an offer at the top of the range, candidates will need significant experience beyond the job description requirements. Because we value staff tenure in a role, we do not currently cap salary ranges for current staff members.

Uncommon believes in the importance of being a diverse, equitable and inclusive organization that enables our students and staff to thrive. We are committed to building a talented team that reflects the diverse backgrounds and experiences of our students. At the same time, we work to ensure an inclusive community through creating a space for meaningful dialogue about issues of race and identity for our staff and students.  As an equal opportunity employer, we hire without consideration to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status or disability.