Controller

THE OPPORTUNITY

The next Controller for St. Catherine's School will play an important role in the financial management of the school. Reporting to the CFO, the Controller is a financial leader responsible for managing the school's accounting operations, ensuring financial accuracy, and maintaining compliance with regulatory standards. In addition to ensuring timely and accurate financial reporting, this position is forward-looking in nature, including supporting continuous improvement and strategic planning in collaboration with the CFO.

This role requires strong expertise in nonprofit accounting, excellent analytical skills, and the ability to align financial practices with the school's mission and goals.

OVERVIEW OF ST. CATHERINE'S

St. Catherine's School is an Episcopal day school in Richmond, Virginia, founded in 1890 enrolling 946 girls age 3 through grade 12. Located on a 16-acre campus in the western part of the city, St. Catherine's core values include pursuing academic excellence, developing character, nurturing spiritual growth, celebrating individuals, and building community. St. Catherine's School provides a rigorous education that prepares girls with diverse perspectives for a lifetime of learning, leadership, and service in a global community.

POSITION OVERVIEW

This position reports to the CFO and oversees the operations of the Accounting Department, which include accounts payable, accounts receivable, foundation accounting, and cash management.

Responsibilities

Financial Statements and Controls:

• Maintains a documented system of accounting policies and procedures; implements a system of controls over accounting transactions to minimize risk.
• Oversees the production of periodic financial reports; ensures that the reported results comply with generally accepted accounting principles and financial reporting standards.
• Assists the CFO with reporting packages for the Finance committee and Board of Governors meetings to include financial statement variant analysis, graphs and charts, detailed budget analysis during the tuition and salary setting process, and preparation of minutes.
• Assists with reconciliation and cash management related to significant capital projects and/or capital campaigns as applicable.
• Reviews all work of the Foundation accountant who prepares all reconciliations for the St. Catherine's School Foundation, a separate legal entity from the school. This includes approving journal entries, reconciliations, and cash management transactions.
• Assures that restricted gifts income is utilized in accordance with donor directives and accounts for them appropriately.
• Works with external auditors and provides needed information for the annual audit.
• Ensures compliance with local, state, and federal government requirements.

Forward-looking Financial Management:

• Directs and participates in cost analyses and rate studies. Prepares statements and reports of estimated future costs and revenue. Explores opportunities to reduce net operating expenses.
• Prepares cash balances report and explores cash management opportunities
• Provides financial analysis, with emphasis on capital investments, pricing decisions, and contract negotiations.
• Recommends benchmarks that will be used to measure the company's performance.
• Contributes to the annual budget and forecasts; reports significant budget differences to management.
• Establishes system controls for new financial systems and develops procedures to improve existing systems.

The Controller provides backup to the Chief Financial Officer on tasks as necessary.

REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in accounting or business administration required. Certified Public Accountant or Certified Management Accountant designation preferred.
• 7-10 years or more of related experience required.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Proficient in various accounting software platforms including Blackbaud, Shopify, Camp Brain, Enterprise Spend Platform with Truist, G Suite, LeaseCrunch, and Corpay (previously Paymerang).
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, with advanced skills in Excel.

Preferred Skills/Abilities:

• Significant experience in senior-level finance and administrative positions of increasing responsibility, ideally in an independent school or other not-for-profit institution.
• A strong track record of advising at the highest level and participating in major strategic decisions that have long-term implications for an organization.
• Experience developing financial models to analyze new opportunities for an organization, determine the associated financial implications, and recommend a prudent course of action.
• A career that includes involvement in financial planning and analysis, accounting and financial reporting, audit and tax returns, facilities management and construction, human resources, and risk management.

The formal and complete job description will be provided during the interview process.

TO APPLY

Send a cover letter and resume. For best consideration, please respond by February 21, 2025.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

St. Catherine's School does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, or national and ethnic origin in the administration of its hiring practices. St. Catherine's School is committed to providing an inclusive educational environment. We actively engage students, families, faculty and staff from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Our school community respects the differences in ethnicity, race, religion, sexual orientation and socioeconomic status. Consistent with the School's mission, St. Catherine's fosters in our students, and expects from all others, respect for the dignity and wholeness of every person. For more information about the school's Access, Equity and Belonging please follow this link https://www.st.catherines.org/about/access-equity-and-belonging.