Controller

Friends of the Children is seeking an exceptional accounting professional and people leader to join our Finance team as Controller – Network Financial Service. If you are a collaborative leader, thrive in a dynamic environment, enjoy developing talented teams, and want your work to contribute to a mission that changes lives, we would love to hear from you.

At Friends of the Children, we impact generational change by empowering youth who face the greatest obstacles through relationships with professional mentors for 12+ years, no matter what.

Our Finance team plays a critical role in supporting both the National organization and Friends of the Children chapters across the country. As Controller – Network Financial Service, you will lead a team of accounting professionals while ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and timeliness of financial reporting for chapters that utilize National accounting services. This is an opportunity to help strengthen financial operations across a network dedicated to supporting children and families nationwide.

Friends of the Children is a national nonprofit organization that selects and invites youth – all of whom have unique talents, interests and dreams, and face multiple systemic obstacles – to be paired with a paid, professional mentor called a Friend. We hire and train Friends to support our youth from as early as age 4 through high school graduation – 12+ years, no matter what.

Does that sound like something you would like to be a part of? Here's what we have to offer you:

• Strong, cohesive Finance team committed to innovation and high standards.
• A team of talented employees who are passionate about working together to create an extraordinary and impactful organization.
• Respect for work-life balance. You'll work hard, and we expect you to recharge your batteries.
• A comprehensive benefit package. (401k with 4% match, Health, Dental, Vision, Life)

See below to learn more about the position’s responsibilities and qualifications.

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work to be performed by individuals assigned to this position.  They are not intended as a comprehensive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.

Basic Function / Position Objective:  

The role’s primary responsibility is to manage a team of senior and staff accountants. The position addresses tight deadlines and a multitude of accounting activities including general ledger and accounts payable review, financial reporting, year-end audit management, and the support of budget and forecast activities for our network of chapters.  

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Managing accounting operations and financial services to our network of independent community-based chapters
• Hiring, training, and retaining skilled accounting staff.
• Review chapter financial statements, including all applicable entries & reconciliations.
• Manage workflow for the chapter Finance & Accounting teams.
• Monitor quarterly and annual tasks to ensure clean and timely year-end audits for chapters.
• Review chapter payroll entries, ensuring accurate grant reporting and functional accounting of wages, taxes, and benefits.
• Review journal entries and reconciliations prepared by Staff Accountants and Senior Accountants.  Able to prepare them in support of the team.
• Lead and/or attend monthly financial calls with chapter Executive Directors and board members.
• Maintain fixed asset software, including the annual renewal and year-end rollover for the network.
• Support the team to provide required audit and Form 990 documentation and answer audit questions accurately and timely.
• Support budgeting and cash projections for chapters.
• Support the National Controller on special projects and workflow process improvements.
• Respond to inquiries from the National Controller, CEO, COO, and chapter executives regarding financial results and special reporting requests.
• Review grant documents and monitor compliance across the organization with established rules and regulations.
• Monitor and analyze department work to develop more efficient procedures and use of resources, while maintaining a high level of accuracy in a fast-paced environment.
• Learn the most critical aspects of the National Controller, Sr. Accountant, and Staff Accountant roles to provide essential coverage during absences.

The ideal candidate will have the following Education, Experience, and Abilities:

• Active CPA license
• Seven to ten years of financial accounting or audit
• Non-profit accounting experience
• Strong GAAP/internal controls knowledge
• Experience in supporting multiple business entities simultaneously
• Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality
• Highly organized and efficient in completing various projects with overlapping deadlines
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook) and Adobe Acrobat Pro
• Ability to work collaboratively with members of staff
• Detail oriented with the ability to pull back and evaluate processes from a strategic level

Preferred competencies, skills, and abilities:

• Federal grant compliance experience including uniform guidance single audit
• Experience with Financial Edge and Asset Keeper
• Experience with expense reporting and management software
• Proficient in Teamwork and Microsoft Teams
• Payroll reporting (using TriNet, Paychex, or similar system)
• Managing government grants

Compensation and Benefits:

• $125K-$145K (Compensation commensurate with experience and geographical location)
• Medical, Dental, Vision (Organization pays up to the employee only rate)
• Life Insurance (Organization paid)
• 401k with 4% match

Location:

• Remote/Virtual

Culture of Belonging:

Friends of the Children endeavors to create a culture where each and every staff knows they belong.  From our policies to our procedures and practices, we aim to create an environment that is healthy, safe, accepting, supportive, and kind. Our benefits are one way to depict our value for work harmony, empowerment, health, and happiness.

Benefits:

Our competitive compensation, benefits package, and employee engagement demonstrate our values to families, children, healthy relationships, love, empowerment, goal achievement, and equity.  We are continuously seeking feedback and researching best practices to meet the needs of staff and their families. Below are ways we actualize a culture of care for each and every staff member. 

• Health: Friends of the Children covers 100% of employee only health premium for 2 of the 4 plans
• Dental: Friends of the Children covers 100% of employee only premium
• Vision: Friends of the Children covers 100% of employee only premium
• Basic Life Insurance and Accidental Death and Dismemberment: 100% paid by Friends of the Children
• Short Term Disability and Long-Term Disability: 100% paid by Friends of the Children
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA): Employees may contribute to an FSA account: Healthcare FSA minimum of $100 maximum of $3,400.
• Employee Assistance Program
• Voluntary Benefits such as Critical Illness, Hospitalization, Legal, etc.
• 401(k) savings plan with a company match of up to the first 4% of earnings that the employee contributes.
• Cell phone and/or Internet Reimbursement: Employee is eligible for cell phone and/or internet business expenses up to $75/month ($37.50/pay period), maximum.
• Office reimbursement of $150 per calendar year 
• Time off:
  • Vacation: Full-time employees of Friends are eligible for up to three weeks of paid vacation annually for the first 4 years.  The first year the time is pro-rated and vacation increases to honor length of service.
  • Sick Time: Regular, full-time employees are awarded two weeks/80 hours of sick time on January 1 of each year. New employees are awarded prorated sick time, not less than 48 hours. Sick time can be used to care for your own physical and mental wellbeing or that of a family member.
  • Holidays: Eleven paid holidays. Three of which are Floating holidays to help honor how people choose to celebrate their cultural and religious holidays.
• Career Development and Wellness Reimbursement of up to $1000 after the first year of employment. Up to $200 can be used for Wellness. 
• Summer hours and end of year holiday gift of time off. (Assessed annually by Executive Management.)
• Employee Perks and Discount Programs including savings on hotels, rental cars, travel, entertainment, streaming services, electronics, eCommerce, and so much more.

Benefits start at the first of the month on or following employee start date.

Applications without cover letters will not be considered; please use this as an opportunity to convey why you want to be the Controller – Network Financial Services at Friends of the Children!

Friends of the Children is growing rapidly as communities across the country are experiencing the power of how “One” changes a child's story: One Friend. One Child. 12+ years. No matter what. #ThePowerOfOne

Friends of the Children is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to addressing discriminatory practices. The equal employment opportunity policy of Friends of the Children provides fair and equal opportunities for all employees and job applicants. Friends of the Children hires and promotes individuals solely based on their qualifications for the job to be filled.