Controller
Washington, DC, United States
The Controller will significantly strengthen the Chronicle’s financial management capacities as our first hire solely focused on accounting and finance. The Controller will report to the Chief Operations Officer and work closely with our current outsourced accounting team to support the Chronicle’s financial management, sustainability and growth. The Controller will help CoP transition from the Chronicle of Higher Education accounting systems and build fully independent systems. You'll lead core accounts receivables processes relating to budgeting, forecasting, billing, receivables, collections, revenue recognition, and reporting and analysis and philanthropic revenue (grant budgeting and reporting). Over time, the Controller could build a team that brings all accounting in-house.
The Chronicle is a flexible, remote-first organization with a HQ in Washington, DC. The Controller can be based anywhere in the US.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities:
Management and Strategy
Oversee CoP’s General Ledger, in collaboration with CoP’s outsourced accounting team
Assist in developing a transition strategy to move the Chronicle of Philanthropy’s accounting processes away from the Chronicle of Higher Education
Identify opportunities to streamline operations, reduce costs, and improve internal controls
Earned Revenue
Oversee all aspects of the accounts receivable function for CoP’s career center, advertising, and content sales, including billing, collections, and revenue recognition, ensuring timely and accurate financial recordkeeping.
Establish, document, and implement billing policies and procedures to ensure the timely and accurate creation and distribution of invoices through HubSpot and Quickbooks
Work with the advertising operations team to recognize revenue according to established criteria and to reconcile billing discrepancies.
Develop and maintain a comprehensive and secure system to ensure the timely and accurate posting of cash receipts including credit card transactions, ACH/wires, checks, and lockbox deposits.
Devise, implement and maintain an effective collections effort across all revenue sources encompassing statements, dunning notifications, and phone and email outreach. Collaborate with customer service staff to resolve customer issues
Produce and distribute regular accounts receivable aging reports, and communicate with sales representatives about collection efforts and pulling advertisers for nonpayment
Oversee subscription invoicing and payment efforts conducted by CoP’s subscription management vendor
Conduct and share financial analysis of revenue streams and programs to identify insights, inform decision making, and forecast future revenues
Conduct ROI analysis on direct mail campaigns and other subscriber acquisition activities
Analyze potential changes in advertising rates
Help develop profit and loss projections for existing and new products
Partner with CoP’s subscription modeling vendor to forecast CoP’s future subscription revenues and deferred revenue
Compile monthly and quarterly commission data, compute commissions, and issue reports to the Chief Revenue Officer and sales staff
Grants Management and Budgeting
Collaborate with Development department staff, and other colleagues, to define scale of philanthropic funding needed for various programs and develop line-item budgets for grant proposals
Help create project-specific budgets for both internal stakeholders and funder audiences
Help track grant expenditures and produce reports for philanthropic funders
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
6+ years of experience in progressively more senior accounting and financial management roles, preferably including experience in both nonprofit and for-profit settings
Advanced proficiency in accounting software (preferably including QuickBooks Online) and financial analysis and reporting tools (e.g. Excel)
Proven experience in learning and integrating new software systems with accounting systems (e.g. BILL.com, HubSpot, Madgex)
Proven experience in accounts receivable management, financial reporting, and budgeting.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Experience with budgeting and reporting for philanthropic grants
Experience with tracking and reporting on complex earned revenue streams
Ability to synthesize data, manipulate spreadsheets, and communicate financial information in ways others can understand.
Excellent communication skills and the ability to collaborate with members of different teams.
Ability to juggle multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
Public accounting experience preferred
Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Economics, Data Science or related field; Master’s degree and/or CPA certification preferred
Salary and Benefits:
The expected salary range for this position is $100,000-$135,000 annually.
The Chronicle of Philanthropy offers a generous benefits package including:
24 vacation days and 16 paid holidays annually, including the entire last week of December
Up to 16 weeks of paid parental leave, 16 weeks of paid medical leave, and 2 weeks of paid family leave
401k retirement plan with 3% automatic monthly employer contributions and 3% additional matching contributions
Health insurance through CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield BlueChoiceAdvantage Platinum plan, including $0 in-network deductible and $10 copay per visit
Comprehensive vision, dental, disability and life insurance
Health Care FSA, Dependent Care FSA, public transit, and parking pre-tax contribution programs
Application Process:
To apply, please submit a resume and cover letter.
The Controller will be expected to pass a background check.
The Chronicle of Philanthropy is dedicated to equal employment opportunities for all applicants and employees. The Chronicle of Philanthropy encourages people of all races, colors, national origins, ancestries, creeds, religions, genders, ages, disabilities, veteran status, sexual orientations, and marital statuses to apply.
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