KIPP NYC Controller, Finance Team

Company Description

About KIPP NYC

KIPP NYC Public Schools is a non-profit network of free, public charter schools in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Manhattan. We partner with families and communities to create joyful and rigorous schools in pursuit of a more just world. In 1995 we started our first middle school, KIPP Academy, in the Bronx, with a vision that every child grows up free to create the future they want for themselves and their communities. Today, our network consists of eight elementary schools, nine middle schools, one high school, and KIPP Forward, a comprehensive program to support our students and alumni in choosing and preparing for the educational and career paths that fit their goals and sense of purpose. KIPP NYC currently serves more than 11,000 students and alumni, has a staff of more than 1,000 (11% of whom are alumni), and continues to grow.

Job Description

Position Overview

The Controller is an ambitious, detail-oriented and self-motivated individual who will report to and partner with the Chief Financial Officer (CFO). The Controller will be responsible for the day-to-day accounting for financial transactions; ensuring the monthly closing process is completed accurately for all KIPP NYC entities; and developing, implementing, and ensuring compliance with financial policies and procedures consistent with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). They will support a nearly $200M annual operating budget, growing to nearly $300M by 2030. 

The Controller will be responsible for maintaining and continuously improving the system of financial controls, including general accounting, audit, tax compliance, and banking. This individual will respond quickly and with sound judgment to a variety of situations in a fast-paced environment and handle sensitive information in a professional manner. They will be hands-on and contribute at all levels including internal and external reporting, while also serving as a thought partner to the CFO on many issues. The Controller directly supervises a team of 9.

Duties & Responsibilities include (but are not limited to): 

General Accounting and Reporting

• Comply with generally accepted accounting policies and procedures
• Maintain general ledger, subsidiary ledgers, and other accounting records needed for preparation of the financial audit
• Manage and maintain a strict deadline to close the financial activities of the month, including the preparation and analysis of the monthly balance sheet, statement of activities, and cash flow forecasts
• Prepare and/or review monthly, quarterly, and annual reconciliation of all accounts
• Manage the revenue cycle and review accounts receivables and billings; enhance the process to optimize cash flow
• Manage, maintain, and update the financial accounting system, including the full responsibility for KIPP NYC’s chart of accounts
• Oversee all grants accounting; ensure that expenditures are consistently aligned with grant budgets throughout the grant period; manage the collection of financial reporting materials for government, corporate, and foundation grants

Financial Policies and Procedures

• Develop, automate, and implement systems, policies, procedures, and internal controls to ensure compliance with accounting standards and improve efficiencies
• Partner with CFO on annual updates to the Fiscal Policies and Procedures Manual
• Ensure record retention and compliance of agency accounting files

Audit, Tax, and Lender Compliance

• With the assistance of the external audit/tax preparation partner, prepare and submit tax returns IRS990 for all KIPP NYC entities
• Manage the annual audit to ensure the accurate preparations of audit schedules, financial statements, and footnotes in coordination with the external preparation partner for KIPP NYC’s annual audit 
• Provide support to auditors during the annual audit
• Complete regular debt compliance reporting

Banking

• Manage and track the performance of invested assets in keeping with policies and investment guidelines
• Manage the prompt reconciliation all monthly bank statements, including investment accounts
• Manage interbank fund transfers and approve as necessary
• Liaise with all banking and investment partners

Organizational and Team Leadership 

• Work with team to continuously improve the quality of work on the team; provide training, direction, motivation, and opportunities for skills development
• Manage a 9 person accounting team
• Manage relationships with internal clients and act as a key business partner to them, building high levels of professional credibility and mutual trust<