Assistant Controller

Location: Los Angeles 

Salary: $125,000 - $140,000

Organization Overview  

Founded in 2004, Brilliant Corners provides innovative housing and housing-related services to California’s most vulnerable individuals, with an emphasis on those transitioning from, or at risk of, homelessness or institutionalization. We develop, own, and manage multi-family supportive housing and licensed residential care homes. We implement a broad array of scattered-site, one-on-one supportive housing, and clinical case management programs through partnerships with developmental services, homeless services, veterans’ services, and health care sectors. 

In short, we do good work. 

We have offices statewide with a staff of passionate people. While we are growing rapidly, we are also selective: We’re seeking inspired, talented people who want to be effecting profound change and who have fun doing it. 

Position Summary

The Assistant Controller will play a key role in strengthening the company’s accounting operations and financial reporting. This role is responsible for overseeing core accounting processes, improving workflow efficiency, and providing technical mentorship to a growing team.

Position Responsibilities

• Journal Entry Review & Process Improvement: Review a high volume of journal entries and reclasses while identifying opportunities to streamline and enhance accounting processes.
• Payment Approvals: Serve as a strong, detail-oriented reviewer for frequent outgoing payments and contribute to improving the payment workflow.
• Bank Transfers & Reconciliations: Prepare and approve bank transfers; review reconciliations across multiple bank accounts used for various business purposes.
• Month-End Close: Lead efforts to strengthen and accelerate the month-end closing process.
• Team Mentorship: Provide technical accounting guidance and mentorship to junior and less-experienced team members.
• Financial Reporting: Support internal financial reporting, ensuring improved quality, consistency, reliability, and ownership of deliverables.

Requirements

Professional Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
• 5+ years of progressive accounting experience, including hands-on general ledger accounting, month-end close, bank reconciliations, and payment processing controls.

• Prior experience reviewing work / leading small teams
• Multiple years of experience with non-profit and/or affordable housing
• Strong technical accounting experience, including auditing, revenue recognition, and accounting for both conditional and unconditional grants.
• Experience improving accounting processes through automation, workflow optimization, and the redesign of close processes
• Experience working with ERP systems such as Sage Intacct, NetSuite, or similar platforms.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong understanding of GAAP and experience with internal controls, audits, and technical accounting requirements.
• Proficiency in Excel, including pivot tables, lookup functions, and reconciliations.
• Ability to prepare, analyze, and review internal financial reports in high-volume, multi-entity, or multi-bank-account environments.
• Strong attention to detail with a quality-control mindset, combined with analytical skills to identify inefficiencies and propose solutions.
• Clear and effective communicator with a collaborative leadership style, capable of mentoring junior staff.
• Experience improving and standardizing accounting and financial reporting processes, including automation and workflow optimization; familiarity with tools such as FloQast or Blackline is a plus.

Core Competencies  

• Dealing with Ambiguity: Remains productive and effective in uncertain, rapidly changing situations by quickly analyzing information to adapt approach. Demonstrates flexibility, composure and good judgment despite challenges  
• Building Effective Teams: Builds cohesive, high-performing teams through collaboration, positive culture, coaching, cross-functional work, and recognition of successes  
• Priority Setting: Focuses on highest impact priorities advancing strategic objectives. Aligns resources, eliminates roadblocks, and provides direction through a compelling vision  
• Managing through Systems: Designs and implements systems, processes and infrastructures enab