Controller

Description

Due to an upcoming retirement, Western Reserve Academy is seeking applicants for the position of Controller. 

Position Summary: 

Reporting directly to the Chief Financial and Operating Officer (CFOO), this non-supervisory role serves as a key member of the Business Office team. Primary responsibilities include the preparation of internal and external financial statements and serving as primary liaison with an outside audit firm. Additionally, in coordination with the CFOO, the investment committee, and outside investment consultants, this position plays a critical role in the management of subscriptions, capital calls, other transactions, and the recordkeeping for a $135M endowment.  

Primary Responsibilities Include:  

1. Manage academy’s endowment to include calculating monthly market values for all funds, determining annual draws, process additions, redemptions and capital calls, and complete all paperwork for fund manager changes.
2. Prepare monthly internal financial statements.
3. Prepare full Board of Trustee financial reports.
4. Reconcile all gift and pledge information and resolve any discrepancies with Advancement Office.
5. Facilitate month end and year end close.
6. Serve as key contact with multiple banking partners.
7. Reconcile all cash accounts.
8. Review general ledger accounts on a periodic basis and reconcile as needed.
9. Monitor operating cash balance and advise Chief Financial and Operating Officer of necessary transfers.
10. Prepare and/or release wire transfers.
11. Manage debt service payments and covenant compliance.
12. Reconcile Fixed Assets on an annual basis.
13. Complete financial surveys.
14. Serve as primarily liaison with external auditors for annual financial audit and 990 preparation.
15. Review monthly budget reports and identify significant variances.
16. Review and post all journal entries.
17. Reconcile Outside Programs financial information.
18. Monitor Ohio State Aid Program.
19. Complete Insurance applications.
20. Calculate monthly sales tax and input into the state website.
21. Post all drafts.
22. Issue and reconcile corporate credit cards.
23. ArbiterPay & DragonFly funding and monthly journal entry.
24. Enter new budget annually.
25. Post Lightspeed campus store activity.
26. Prepare monthly Parents@WRA reports.
27. Send monthly statements for Student Investment Club to advisor.
28. Prepare quarterly Student Investment Club reports.
29. Record WRA Innovations monthly Quickbooks activity into Veracross.
30. Provide stewardship reports to Advancement.  

Secondary Responsibilities Include:  

1. Collaborate with Business Office Staff to ensure effective, efficient and compliant recordkeeping.
2. Coordinate input and utilize external sources for benchmark data related to past, current and future trends in independent schools including, but not limited to, DASL.
3. Prepare ad hoc reporting as needed.
4. Serve as back up to Accounts Payable.

Requirements

Qualified applicants should possess a current CPA license, have at least 5 years of direct not-for-profit accounting experience, preferably in an educational institution, and have a solid understanding of endowment reporting. 

Competencies and Essential Functions:

1. Demonstrated ability to use basic software applications (i.e. Microsoft Excel, Word).
2. Experience with integrated software packages, preferably Veracross or similar.
3. Ability to work independently with limited supervision.
4. Ability to solve problems by collaborating with others.
5. Strong organizational skills.

Minimum Qualifications: 

1. Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance or related field required.
2. MBA and/or CPA designation strongly preferred.
3. At least 5 years direct experience in not-for-profit accounting, preferably in an educational organization.
4. Solid understanding of endowment recordkeeping.

Western Reserve Academy offers a competitive salary, an incredibly generous PTO and benefits package, including tuition remission, and a uniquely positive working environment in a boarding school setting.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled with a targeted start date in the later portion of the first quarter of calendar year 2024. The selected candidate will have the added benefit of the incumbent Controller remaining in a part-time role to provide training and assistance through the 2023-2024 audit.

To Apply: visit https://recruiting.paylocity.com/Recruiting/Jobs/Details/2161123