Controller

About St. John’s Community Services

As one of the oldest non-profit organizations founded in the District of Columbia, St. John’s Community Services (SJCS) is committed to supporting and advocating for people of all abilities. SJCS works to cultivate caring communities to ensure that all people have the opportunity to thrive, and no one is left behind.  We support individuals living with intellectual and developmental disabilities as well as adults and children experiencing hunger and homelessness in 4 states and the District of Columbia.

At SJCS, we pride ourselves in meeting every person we support where they are, learning who they are, and affirming their individuality, unique strengths, and hopes. It’s why we exist.  Advancing inclusive communities where every person, regardless of circumstances, has the right and opportunity to live their best life is our mission, and our mission is what drives us and is at the heart of our services and programs.

Mission: Advancing inclusive communities where every person, regardless of circumstances, has the right and opportunity to live their best life. 

SUPERVISED BY:  This position reports to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and will adhere to all policies and procedures of the St. John's Community Services. 

Position Overview

St. John's Community Services (SJCS) is seeking a strategic, collaborative, and results-driven Controller to serve as a key member of the Finance Leadership Team. Reporting directly to the Chief Financial Officer, the Controller is responsible for leading the organization's accounting operations while ensuring financial integrity, regulatory compliance, operational excellence, and long-term fiscal sustainability.

This leader oversees the day-to-day accounting functions of a complex multi-state nonprofit organization and partners closely with executive leadership to provide timely financial insight that supports organizational decision-making, strategic planning, and continued growth.

The ideal candidate is an experienced financial leader who combines technical accounting expertise with business acumen, process improvement, and the ability to develop high-performing teams; performs other job related duties as assigned.

Key Responsibilities & Performance Expectations

Financial Leadership & Reporting

• Lead all accounting operations in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), nonprofit accounting standards, and all applicable federal and state regulations.
• Ensure consolidated monthly financial statements are accurately prepared, reviewed, and delivered to executive leadership no later than the 15th of each month.
• Direct the monthly and annual close process, including account reconciliations, journal entries, and financial statement preparation.
• Produce executive-level financial reporting, dashboards, and analyses that support strategic decision-making.
• Maintain a history of clean annual financial audits through strong accounting practices and internal controls.

Budgeting, Forecasting & Financial Planning

• Lead the organization's annual operating budget process in partnership with executive and operational leadership.
• Prepare financial forecasts, cash flow projections, and long-range planning models.
• Analyze organizational financial performance, identify trends, and recommend proactive solutions.
• Develop budget narratives and variance analyses for executive review.

Revenue Cycle & Financial Operations

• Provide oversight of Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, payroll support, reimbursement, billing, cash receipts, and cash disbursements.
• Improve first-pass billing accuracy and reimbursement efficiency across the organization.
• Strengthen cash flow management strategies to reduce reliance on lines of credit and reserve funding whenever possible.
• Partner with operational teams to resolve financial discrepancies and improve reimbursement workflows using Therap and other financial systems.

Compliance, Audit & Risk Management

• Maintain strong internal financial controls to safeguard organizational assets.
• Lead annual financial audits and coordinate the preparation of required tax filings.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, Medicaid, grant, and nonprofit financial regulations.
• Conduct periodic internal audits and partner with Compliance to strengthen organizational financial practices.
• Develop and maintain finance policies, procedures, and internal accounting standards.

Leadership & Talent Development

• Lead, mentor, coach, and develop a high-performing Finance team.
• Foster a collaborative culture centered on accountability, continuous improvement, and exceptional customer service.
• Build financial knowledge across SJCS by partnering with leaders throughout the organization to improve financial understanding and accountability.
• Promote employee engagement, succession planning, and professional development within the department.

Strategic Partnership

• Serve as a trusted advisor to the CFO and Executive Leadership Team.
• Support organizational growth initiatives, new service lines, operational improvements, and revenue diversification projects.
• Collaborate across departments to ensure financial considerations are integrated into strategic business decisions.
• Prepare financial presentations and reports for executive leadership and the Board of Directors as needed.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required.
• CPA strongly preferred.
• MBA or other advanced business degree preferred.

Experience

• Minimum of seven (7) years of progressive accounting and financial leadership experience within a complex organization.
• Demonstrated experience managing organizational budgets exceeding $10 million.
• Proven success leading accounting teams and developing finance professionals.
• Extensive experience with financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, reconciliations, payroll support, cash flow management, internal controls, and audit preparation.
• Experience operating in a multi-state and highly regulated environment preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

• Nonprofit accounting experience.
• Healthcare, Medicaid, or Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) experience.
• Government contract accounting.
• Financial system implementations or upgrades.
• Experience with Therap, Solomon IV, or comparable ERP/accounting systems.

Core Leadership Competencies

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Strategic Financial Leadership
• Executive Presence
• Business Acumen
• Financial Analysis & Decision Making
• Change Leadership
• Process Improvement
• Collaboration & Cross-Functional Partnership
• Team Development & Coaching
• Integrity & Accountability
• Customer Service Excellence
• Communication & Influence
• Continuous Improvement

What Success Looks Like

Within the first 12 months, the Controller will be expected to:

• Deliver accurate monthly financial statements to executive leadership by the 15th of each month.
• Maintain a clean annual financial audit.
• Improve billing efficiency and cash flow management across the organization.
• Strengthen financial controls and standardize accounting processes.
• Build strong partnerships with operational leaders throughout SJCS.
• Develop and mentor a high-performing Finance team.

Physical and Environmental Conditions:

Work requires no unusual demand for physical effort. The work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts that require normal safety precautions typical of such places as offices or meeting rooms, e.g., use of safe workplace practices with office equipment, and/or avoidance of trips and falls. 

Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job. 

St. John's Community Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer. St. John's Community Services does not discriminate in employment based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental quality, military service, or other protected class. 

Do you think that you are a great fit for this position? We are waiting for you to join our team! Apply today on our company website SJCS Careers to be considered.