Assistant Controller - Behavioral Health

Position Summary:

The Assistant Controller – Behavioral Health supports the Agency Controller in overseeing accounting operations, internal controls, compliance, and financial reporting for the agency’s Behavioral Health programs.

This position provides leadership in grant and contract financial management, budgeting, billing, analysis, and funder reporting. The Assistant Controller ensures timely and accurate financial information, assists in the preparation of agency-wide financial statements, and provides financial guidance to program managers and finance staff. This role requires strong accounting expertise, analytical capability, and the ability to manage complex funding structures in a Behavioral Health environment.

Responsibilities:

Accounting & Financial Oversight

• Assists the Agency Controller in managing monthly, quarterly, and annual accounting close processes.
• Ensures all contract related expenditures align with approved budgets and funding guidelines and proper recording, reconciliation, and reporting of Behavioral Health program revenues, liabilities, and receivables.
• Prepares, supervises and reviews journal entries. Reviews account reconciliations, allocations, and billings prepared by accounting staff.
• Oversees credit card review for coding, approval and compliance with agency credit card policies. Follows up with staff and managers on any issues.
• Monitors payroll to check for accuracy of labor allocations. Follows up with program managers and payroll analyst to verify allocations and ensure needed corrections and updates are made.
• Prepares monthly claim liability analysis and reviews with CFO.
• Prepares monthly revenue allocation for MCO and GFS revenue.
• Prepares and oversees reconciliation between the EHR system and general ledger for Behavioral Health revenues and receivables.
• Provides direct program support to Behavioral Health program managers and staff.
• Maintains and enhances internal controls over accounting processes and Behavioral Health revenue cycle.
• Supports audit preparation (annual audit, federal/state program audits, and funder audits).

Behavioral Health Grants, Contracts & Compliance

• Provides advanced oversight of financial management for all Behavioral Health grants and contracts.
• Reviews contract terms, reimbursement structures, reporting requirements, and allowable cost guidelines.
• Serves as primary financial liaison with funders; interpret compliance rules and communicate financial obligations to leadership.
• Oversees preparation and approval of contract and reimbursement billings, claims, and revenue allocations.
• Monitors contract performance through return analysis, utilization trends, and budget-to-actual performance.

Budgeting & Financial Planning

• Leads the annual budgeting process for Behavioral Health programs in collaboration with the Agency Controller and CFO.
• Provides financial modeling, forecasting, and variance analysis for program operations and contracts.
• Supports development of budgets for RFPs, contract renewals, and new funding opportunities.
• Trains and advises program managers on budget management, allowable costs, and financial policy compliance.

Leadership, Training & Cross-Functional Support

• Provides guidance and technical support to accounting staff; serves as point of escalation for complex issues.
• Directly supervises one staff Accountant, assigning tasks, reviewing work, coaching, training and supporting professional development. Monitors performance and completes annual evaluation.
• Partners with payroll, procurement, operations, and compliance staff to ensure proper labor allocations and contract spending.
• Trains Behavioral Health staff on financial policies, documentation standards, and coding requirements.
• Represents the Finance Department in EHR user groups and system meetings.

Systems, Reporting & Process Improvement

• Maintains accurate financial records, schedules, and audit-ready documentation.
• Leads or supports process improvement initiatives to increase accuracy, efficiency, and compliance within accounting operations.
• Prepares regular and ad hoc financial reports for leadership, funders, auditors, and program managers.

Perform other duties as assigned

Job Requirements:

The following requirements are those that are normally required for the performance of this position.  Any disabled applicant who does not meet one or more of the requirements, but who can perform the essential functions of the job (with or without reasonable accommodations) shall be deemed to meet these requirements.

Physical Requirements:

This position normally requires the physical demands of standing, walking, bending, lifting, or performing other work requiring low physical exertion, talking, and hearing on a regular basis to perform the job requirements. These physical demands are required up to 80% of the time.

Non-Physical Requirements:

Education

• Bachelors degree in accounting, finance or related field, required

Experience

• 5+ years of progressive accounting experience, preferably including grants or contract-based funding, required
• Experience in healthcare, behavioral health, medical billing, or insurance billing preferred
• Supervisory or lead experience strongly preferred
• Experience in contract billing and preparation of budgets is desirable

Special Skills

• Strong knowledge of GAAP and non-profit accounting principles
• Advanced Excel and proficiency with accounting/EHR systems
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills
• High degree of initiative, accuracy, confidentiality, and attention to detail
• Ability to interpret complex billing rules, contract requirements, and compliance guidelines
• Excellent verbal and communication skills
• Ability to be self-motivated, adaptable to change, and detail- oriented
• Ability to work in a team environment
• Willingness to take on new responsibilities
• Ability to be self-directed and represent the agency in a professional manner

Licensure, Registration, Certification

• Valid Washington State driver’s license and required minimum liability insurance for WA State

Employment is conditional upon:

• Being cleared by criminal background check and fingerprinting when required

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm
Wage Range: $95,000-$105,000 per year, depending experience
Benefits:

• 13 paid holidays, 12 days of vacation, 12 days of sick leave per year
• Health insurance including medical & prescription coverage, with optional dental and vision insurance plans. Majority of premiums paid by Catholic Charities
• Retirement 403(b) Plan: employee contributions commence upon employment; Catholic Charities contributes 2% of monthly income and matches up to 4% of employee contributions following 6 months of employment
• Basic Life Insurance paid 100% by Catholic Charities
• Flexible Spending Account eligibility following 6 months of employment
• Education Assistance Program reimbursing up to $5,250 per year for approved continuing education after 6 months of employment
• Additional voluntary insurances including supplemental life, accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D), critical illness, long term disability, accident, and ID theft
• Employee Assistance Program includes 3 counseling sessions per year, legal consultations, financial coaching, and other wellbeing tools
• Annual longevity awards begin at 5 years of employment

It is the practice of Catholic Charities to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, citizenship status, marital status, creed, genetic predisposition or carrier status, sexual orientation, gender expression, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Applicants from underrepresented backgrounds are encouraged to apply. We gladly offer reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities to support participation in the hiring process and employment.