Financial Controller

SUMMARY:

The Financial Controller oversees accounting processes, including finance operations, general ledger accounting, month-end close, financial reporting, and internal control activities. The role maintains the completeness, accuracy, and reliability of accounting records and financial reports for the company’s board, management, and external stakeholders. The Financial Controller improves accounting systems and processes to support these outcomes while maintaining operational efficiency and effectiveness.

EXPERIENCE, COMPETENCIES, AND EDUCATION:

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or a closely related field with accounting coursework.
• Not-for-profit industry accounting experience.
• At least three years’ industry or public accounting experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
• Ability to identify opportunities to improve accounting processes, recommend changes, and support implementation.
• Provide an emphasis on accuracy and reliability of financial information.
• Ability to explain accounting and financial information to a variety of audiences, adapting the level of detail to their needs.
• Ability to use Excel or similar tools to organize, analyze, and reconcile financial datasets across accounts and entities.

Preferred

• Real estate industry accounting experience.
• Experience managing or mentoring others.
• Demonstrated understanding of financial operations including payroll, accounts payable, and accounts receivable.
• Comprehensive understanding of general ledger accounting system configuration.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple assignments concurrently.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, as needed.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, Adobe software, and office equipment.

PRINCIPAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Quality Assurance

• Lead accounting staff by communicating department standards, reviewing work against those standards, and providing feedback and learning opportunities that support staff development in their roles.
• Review the performance of internal control activities against documented procedures and address identified gaps.
• Document applicable accounting compliance requirements and maintain procedures and deadlines for meeting them.
• Review accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and other accounting transactions.
• Reconcile all general ledger (GL) account activity, investigate outstanding items, and resolve or document them within applicable close deadlines.
• Back up other team members’ finance operations tasks.
• Advise decisionmakers regarding process enhancements to improve quality, efficiency, and/or financial outcomes.
• Provide technical assistance to the Finance team regarding accounting matters germane to our business - real estate development projects, asset management and property accounting, grants, non-profit accounting principles, and other relevant subject matter.
• Evaluate department policies, standards, and internal controls. Update guidance as needed to ensure proper risk management and compliance with GAAP, government regulations, and industry best practices.

Consolidation and Month End Close

• Oversee the consolidation process including preparing or reviewing all consolidation schedules.
• Maintain the accounting close task list and update tasks and deadlines to reflect month-end, quarter-end, and year-end requirements.
• Work with all stakeholders to ensure that month-end close timelines are met.
• Prepare or review complex journal entries.

Audit and Tax Support

• Coordinate work and exchange information with our auditors, consolidation accountants, property accountants, tax accountants, and other internal and external team members.
• Complete audit and tax-related tasks in accordance with applicable requirements and deadlines, reviewing the work for accuracy before submission.
• Review/reconcile trial balances, audit reports, and tax forms to ensure accuracy of both subsidiary and consolidated financial results as well as externally reported financial data.
• Review Form 990 for accuracy and compliance with filing requirements and submit it by the applicable filing deadline.
• Ensure timely filing of all payroll, vendor, and sales/use tax forms.

Financial Reporting and Decision Support

• Oversee routine financial reporting including the month end corporate financial packet.
• Oversee the budgeting process.
• Assist program staff with grant reporting/management tasks.
• Prepare routine and ad hoc financial reports for internal and external audiences.
• Advise property accountants on complex or unique accounting transactions.

Accounting System and Data Maintenance

• Maintain accurate, logical, well-organized master data including chart of accounts, vendor master, customer master, payroll master, account groups, etc.
• Manage the consolidation database and general ledger.
• Manage supplemental databases, including legal entity data.
• Advise team members on new features of the accounting system and methods to improve their use of the system.
• Organize financial data to support accounting and reporting activities and maintain records in accordance with documentation standards and record-keeping requirements.

Work Environment

• Primarily performed in an office environment.
• Attend meetings, training, conferences, community events, or other organizational activities required for the position’s responsibilities, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Occasional evening or weekend work may be required based on business needs.

Physical Requirements

The physical requirements described here represent those necessary to perform the essential functions of the position. The employee may be required to:

• Use a computer, telephone, and other standard office equipment to perform job responsibilities, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Communicate effectively in person, electronically, and by telephone.
• Perform computer-based and other office duties for extended periods, with changes in position or reasonable accommodation as needed.
• Access office, meeting, and community locations as needed to perform job responsibilities, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Move materials, supplies, or equipment associated with the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Travel Requirements

• Ability to travel as required for meetings, training, conferences, and organizational business, with or without reasonable accommodation.

ADA Statement

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides equal employment and advancement opportunity on the basis of merit, and without regard to race and traits associated with race, including but not limited to hair texture and hair styles such as braids, locs, and twists, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, familial status, membership or activity in a local commission, disability, age, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.