Controller

Kalamazoo Community Foundation • Kalamazoo, Michigan • Full Time • $115,003–$115,003 / year

Posted on Wed, Oct 7, 2026

Position Title: Controller Reports to: Chief Finance and Investment Officer Description: Full-Time Paygrade: $92, 803 - $115, 978 Annually FLSA Status: Exempt Workplace Status: In-Person/Hybrid Posting Dates: October 6, 2026 – October 13, 2026 How to Apply: Candidates may apply through the application portal at kzcf.org/careers About Kalamazoo Community Foundation: Kalamazoo Community Foundation (KZCF), established in 1925, has the vision of Kalamazoo County being the most equitable place to live, with the mission to create a thriving community where people, resources, and expertise are mobilized to advance racial, social, and economic justice. Learn more at kalfound.org. Core Values: Center Anti-Racism Nurture Healing and Love Cultivate Transformative Relationships Serve the Greater Good Learn and Grow Embrace Joy Position Summary: Reporting to the Chief Finance and Investment Officer (“CFIO”), the Controller provides oversight for KZCF’s internal finance function, ensuring the organization has strong and stable financial health to execute its mission. The Controller participates in and supervises staff responsible for day-to-day accounting of financial transactions, timely execution of ongoing financial management processes, regular budget reporting, and financial account management. The Controller is responsible for managing the annual budget development process and ensuring organizational compliance with other major regulatory reporting and governance requirements. The Controller is also responsible for maintaining and continuously improving KZCF’s system of financial controls, providing input on organizational strategy, and engaging with key internal and external stakeholders. Essential Functions & Responsibilities: General Accounting and Reporting

Lead KZCF’s internal finance operations, ensuring accurate financial accounting and compliance with all regulatory requirements and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). Key ongoing departmental responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Maintaining the general ledger, subsidiary ledgers, and other accounting records needed for preparation of the financial statements and other required financial data
- Preparing monthly internal financial statements and providing departmental budget reports to guide organizational decision-making
- Managing and reconciling deposit and investment accounts supporting KZCF internal operations, ensure compliance with internal banking policies and procedures
- Ensure timely submission and accurate process of bi-weekly payroll.
- Managing accounts payable processes and timely disbursement of payments to vendors and other partners
- Processing staff credit card expenses
Manage the annual budget development process and provide support for other reporting necessary to meet regulatory or governance requirements (e.g., audited financial statements, Form 990)
Administer processes to ensure strong internal controls and seek out opportunities for continuous improvement of KZCF’s financial management tools, systems, and procedures
Develop, record, and continuously improves procedures for regular financial management processes.
Supervise and manage KZCF’s Finance team (comprised of 1-2 additional staff members)
Serve as the primary liaison for cross-departmental collaboration and engagement with key stakeholders
Support the CFIO’s ongoing engagement and partnership with the KZCF Finance Committee (e.g., presenting during meetings, preparing meeting agendas)
Provide input, data, and analysis to support organizational strategy development
Build and maintain current knowledge of regulatory requirements and best practices for the financial management of foundation and other philanthropic organizations

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: Required:

Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, accounting, or related field or an equivalent combination of training and relevant work experience
Five or more years of progressively more responsible experience in internal accounting or finance role
Strong project management skills and problem-solving ability
Experience and expertise in systems management and design
Well-organized and detail-oriented with ability to prioritize work tasks efficiently
Able to take initiative and ownership of departmental performance
Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills
Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Suite and ability to develop expertise in KZCF’s internal finance systems
Track record of effective supervision and people management

Preferred:

Master’s degree in finance or accounting
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation
Experience managing a team and supervising staff

Diversity, Inclusion, Equity, and Anti-Racism:

Apply an equitable and anti-racist analysis to all functions to achieve organizational goals.
Embrace, support, and integrate Community Foundation philosophies related to diversity, inclusiveness, and anti-racism with a willingness to acknowledge and address other forms of bias.
Ability to confront personal, individual, and internal systemic bias regarding race, age, gender, gender- identity, sexual orientation, ability, etc., which will require sharing and discussing personal identities related to the work environment.
Ability to work and navigate emotionally taxing conversations related to power, privilege, racism, and oppression on a regular basis.
Must have strong emotional intelligence and resiliency skills to lead and/or actively participate in advancing our work relative to racial, social, and economic justice.

Professionalism:

Support the mission, vision, and strategic goals, as a part of the Performance Excellence Model of the Community Foundation, to serve both internal and external customers.
Follow and support Community Foundation policies and procedures.
Evaluate own performance and assumes responsibility for professional development.
Embrace philosophy of one actively engaged in lifelong learning.
Demonstrate and models Process documentation for clarity and consistency.
Maintain current knowledge of all changes affecting area of work.
Conduct self in a professional manner and follows and support the core values, commitments, and behaviors.
Maintain appropriate professional appearance and confidentiality.

Engagement/Participation:

Actively represents KZCF at community-based meetings and events which may require evening and weekend engagement throughout the year
Actively participate in meetings, committees, and volunteer opportunities within the organization
Apply an anti-racism analysis and engage with others in support of learning ways to advance collective DEI understanding and skills.
Participate as a team member utilizing a collaborative style to achieve mutual goals.
Provide proactive, creative cross-functional thinking and ideas to enhance services to customers.
Demonstrate ability to work effectively with others.

Physical/Mental Requirements:

While working virtually, must ensure remote environment has consistent access to high-speed internet, generally free from distractions.
Work in well-lit, pleasant, smoke-free office.
Must be able to sit for long periods of time.
Frequent requirement to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arms
Frequently involves extended workdays and periodically involves irregular work hours.
Regular group and public speaking.
Occasional travel and/or overnight work schedules.
Requires attention to detail and ability to concentrate on figures, paperwork, data, etc.
Frequent pressures related to meeting deadlines and fulfilling scheduling requirements.
Frequent distracting influences such as people, phone calls, noise and so forth.
Frequent simultaneous handling of multiple tasks and intermittent or cyclical work pressures.
Occasionally requires on-call availability to handle work problems, emergencies/crisis situations etc.
Occasional work at multiple sites or travel.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications The Kalamazoo Community Foundation shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include hiring and termination of staff, selecting volunteers, selecting vendors, and providing services.

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