Controller

General Statement: 

The Controller is responsible for leading the accounting department, overseeing the organization’s financial resources, and the reporting of its financial information. The Controller provides thought leadership and direction on accounting best practices. They operate with integrity and credibility, while demonstrating a proactive approach and ownership of accounting.  As a member of the Senior Leadership team, the Controller works collaboratively with the Fleet’s department heads to ensure the organization continues to meet the needs of the communities we serve. 

Reports to:  Chief Financial and Operating Officer (COO/CFO) 

Primary Duties and Responsibilities: 

• In partnership with the COO/CFO, provide guidance to senior leadership and the Board of Trustees on all decisions impacting the organization’s financial health and financial processes.   
• Lead and evaluate the performance of the accounting team. Provide training, mentorship, and a proactive, supportive, empowering work environment.  
• Prepare and review monthly financial statements and provide analysis with an emphasis on quality and accuracy with explanations of budget to actual variances. 
• Assist the COO/CFO in preparing the financial packet for the Finance Committee.  
• Maintain banking relationships, manage cash flow, cash reconciliation, and maintain a rolling 12-month cash projection. 
• Manage and provide oversight for payroll processing, compliance, and reconciliation to grant reporting and the general ledger. 
• Produce and file monthly, quarterly and annual financial reports including 990 and other Federal, State and City required compliance financial reports. 
• Work closely with department and program leaders to develop their annual budgets. 
• Manage, conduct and oversee the external annual financial audit working with the independent auditors and other audits by Grantors and other funding sources. 
• Ensure accounting systems, policies and procedures are developed, documented, and maintained to provide appropriate controls in accordance with accepted accounting principles (GAAP), grant requirements and best practices. Maintain current knowledge of organizational policies and procedures, funder, federal and state policies and directives, and current accounting standards. 
• Oversee the development and maintenance of internal training programs for all relevant staff members and external stakeholders to ensure alignment on processes and standard operating procedures (SOPs).  

THE ABOVE STATEMENTS ARE INTENDED TO DESCRIBE THE GENERAL NATURE AND LEVEL OF WORK BEING PERFORMED BY THE PERSON ASSIGNED TO THIS POSITION.  PRINCIPAL DUTIES ARE INTENDED TO DESCRIBE THOSE FUNCTIONS THAT ARE ESSENTIAL TO THE PERFORMANCE OF THIS JOB.  AN INCUMBENT MUST BE ABLE TO PERFORM ALL OF THE ESSENTIAL DUTIES OUTLINED ABOVE. 

THIS JOB DESCRIPTION DOES NOT STATE OR IMPLY THAT THE ABOVE ARE THE ONLY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES ASSIGNED TO THIS POSITION.  AN EMPLOYEE HOLDING THIS POSITION WILL BE REQUIRED TO PERFORM ANY OTHER JOB RELATED DUTIES AS REQUESTED BY MANAGEMENT.  ALL REQUIREMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO POSSIBLE MODIFICATION TO REASONABLY ACCOMMODATE INDIVIDUALS WITH A DISABILITY. 

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE & COMPETENCIES: 

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business, fiscal management, or related field required. Active California CPA designation preferred. 
• 5+ years of progressive Nonprofit finance and accounting experience including experience and advanced knowledge of Federal, State and County grants and contracts.  
• Working knowledge of the Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200) accounting principles and audit requirements, payroll regulations and other relevant regulations and laws.  
• Experience with developing and managing budgets, ideally at the level of $10+ million. 
• Technology savvy with advanced knowledge of accounting and reporting software.  Experience with MIP and Paycom preferred. 
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including written and verbal communication skills.  
• Strong leadership skills and proven ability to recruit, direct, train, manage, and motivate a team of personnel. 
• Strong organizational skills with an eye for details, and the ability to plan, prioritize and implement day-to-day operations in a timely manner in a fast moving, dynamic, and time-bound environment. 
• Demonstrates resourcefulness, initiative, maturity of judgement, the ability to make sound decisions under pressing conditions, and the ability to work with minimal direction and supervision.  
• Experience with continuous improvement initiatives and change management activities. 
• Ability to develop, document, and implement internal financial controls in a complex organization.  
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.  

Supervision, direction, or guidance provided for this position:  Performs duties without day to day supervision.  Supervision needed to discuss non-routine questions or concerns. 

Physical Requirements of this Position: 

This is a primarily onsite position located at the Fleet Science Center in San Diego, California. Some remote work flexibility is available on an as-needed basis at the manager’s discretion. 

Light Work:  Position involves sitting, standing, and/or walking. Position requires ability to frequently exert up to 10 pounds of force to move objects and occasionally exert up to 20 pounds of force to move objects.