Position: Controller/Finance Manager
Department: Business Office
Reports To: Assistant Head for Finance and Operations
Status: Exempt, full-time, benefits
Date Written: April 26, 2022
Contact: Yutopia Essex, Director of Human Resources, Yutopia_Essex@cate.org
805-684-4127 x247
Cate School
For more than 100 years, Cate has combined the best of East Coast tradition and West Coast energy and innovation in the service of highly motivated, independent-minded students. As a boarding school, Cate is structured to develop young people through an inquiry-driven curriculum designed to elicit the greatest possible growth in every student, all students participate in an extracurricular program that includes athletics, arts, community service and an extensive outdoor program, and the residential life program is structured to develop well-being and leadership through the practice of self discipline and service. This position is key to maintaining financial health of the organization as a whole from an operations and strategic financial planning perspective as collectively we work to support student life of the school.
Position Overview
The Controller/Finance Manager is an essential part of Cate’s financial management team. This position has primary responsibility for managing all aspects of the general ledger, overseeing accounts payable, accounts receivable and payroll, serves as primary contact for school auditors and is a resource for the Board..
Primary Responsibilities:
- Maintaining General Ledger – all entries and analysis
- Oversee Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable and Payroll/Benefits positions to ensure accuracy and smooth operation
- Administer Retirement Plans
- Monitor all investments – Endowment and Cash Management
- Primary liaison with Auditors and responsible for audit preparation
- Maintain accurate accounting of all projects and prepare bank reporting for tax exempt financing
- Serve on Financial Aid committee
- Prepare monthly and quarterly reports for Finance Committee of Board of Trustees
- Consider strategic initiatives to streamline financial management systems
Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in business, accounting, or related field
- 5+ years experience as a senior-level accounting or finance manager
- Previous nonprofit experience required
- Strong working knowledge of detailed financial data analysis
- Proven payroll/benefit experience, with a focus on streamlining accounting processes
- Exemplary history of financial project management
- Working knowledge of finance law and regulatory standards (GAAP)
- Strong understanding of economic and banking processes
- Experience working in a fast paced office setting
- Spanish language proficiency a plus
- CPA preferred
Controller Skills and Qualification Standards:
- Excellent analytical and computer skills
- Excellent attention to detail
- Deadline-driven
- Ability to work collaboratively with a diverse peer group
- Ability to maintain high level of confidentiality
- Familiarity with payroll software (ADP knowledge a plus)
- Familiarity with California payroll/benefit regulations
- Excellent interpersonal, written and spoken communication skills
- Customer service oriented
Cate School is committed to providing equal opportunities to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran’s status, or any other factor that is a prohibited consideration under applicable law.
