Controller - The Chronicle of Philanthropy

About Us:

The Chronicle of Philanthropy, the premier source of news, analysis, and professional development for the rapidly growing nonprofit sector, has embarked on an exciting and monumental new chapter. After becoming an independent nonprofit in 2023, the Chronicle is innovating and expanding as it shines a spotlight on one of the most under-covered but crucial areas of American life.

We are committed to influencing how individuals get engaged in the nonprofit sector and how nonprofits and foundations can do more to advance meaningful change. We also offer a robust set of services that enable professionals to advance their skills and careers. 

Job Summary:

The Controller will significantly strengthen the Chronicle’s financial management capacities as our first hire solely focused on accounting and finance. The Controller will report to the Chief Operations Officer and work closely with our current outsourced accounting team to support the Chronicle’s financial management, sustainability and growth. The Controller will help CoP transition from the accounting systems of its former parent, the Chronicle of Higher Education, and build fully independent systems.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

Management and Strategy

• Oversee CoP’s General Ledger, in collaboration with CoP’s outsourced accounting team
• Assist in developing a transition strategy to move the Chronicle of Philanthropy’s accounting processes away from the Chronicle of Higher Education
• Identify opportunities to streamline operations, reduce costs, and improve internal controls

Earned Revenue

• Oversee all aspects of the accounts receivable function for CoP’s career center, advertising, and content sales, including billing, collections, and revenue recognition, ensuring timely and accurate financial recordkeeping, to include:
  • Establish, document, and implement billing policies and procedures to ensure the timely and accurate creation and distribution of invoices through HubSpot and Quickbooks
  • Work with the advertising operations team to recognize revenue according to established criteria and to reconcile billing discrepancies
  • Inform and communicate with sales representatives about collection efforts and pulling advertisers for nonpayment. Collaborate with customer service staff to resolve customer issues
  • Oversee subscription invoicing and payment efforts conducted by CoP’s subscription management vendor
• Conduct and share financial analysis of revenue streams and programs to identify insights, inform decision making, and forecast future revenues
  • Help develop profit and loss projections for existing and new products
  • Conduct ROI analysis on direct mail campaigns and other subscriber acquisition activities
  • Analyze potential changes in advertising rates and make recommendations
  • Partner with CoP’s subscription modeling vendor to forecast CoP’s future subscription revenues and deferred revenue
• Compile monthly and quarterly commission data, compute commissions, and issue reports to the Chief Revenue Officer and sales staff

Grants Management and Budgeting

• Collaborate with Development department staff, and other colleagues, to define scale of philanthropic funding needed for various programs and develop line-item budgets for grant proposals
• Help create project-specific budgets for both internal stakeholders and funder audiences
• Help track grant expenditures and produce reports for philanthropic funders

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:  

• 6+ years of experience in progressively more senior accounting and financial management roles, preferably including experience in both nonprofit and for-profit settings
• Technology savvy with experience selecting and overseeing accounting system installations (e.g. Stripe, Shopify, BILL.com, HubSpot, Madgex)
• Advanced proficiency in accounting software (preferably including QuickBooks Online and/or NetSuite) and financial analysis and reporting tools (e.g. Excel)
• Experience with tracking and reporting on complex earned revenue streams
• Ability to synthesize data, manipulate spreadsheets, clarify processes, and translate financial information in ways others can understand.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to collaborate with members of different teams.

Salary and Benefits:

The expected salary range for this position is $110,000-$150,000 annually.  The Chronicle of Philanthropy offers a generous benefits package including:

• 24 vacation days and 16 paid holidays annually, including the entire last week of December
• Up to 16 weeks of paid parental leave, 16 weeks of paid medical leave, and 2 weeks of paid family leave
• 401k retirement plan with 3% automatic monthly employer contributions and 3% additional matching contributions
• Health insurance through CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield BlueChoiceAdvantage Platinum plan, including $0 in-network deductible and $10 copay per visit
• Comprehensive vision, dental, disability and life insurance
• Health Care FSA, Dependent Care FSA, public transit, and parking pre-tax contribution programs

Application Process:

To apply, please submit a resume and cover letter online at: https://the-chronicle-of-philanthropy.prismhr-hire.com/job/869488/controller

The Controller will be expected to pass a background check.

The Chronicle of Philanthropy is dedicated to equal employment opportunities for all applicants and employees. The Chronicle of Philanthropy encourages people of all races, colors, national origins, ancestries, creeds, religions, genders, ages, disabilities, veteran status, sexual orientations, and marital statuses to apply.