Controller

Job Description

Job Description

Position Summary: 

The Controller for 603 Legal Aid (603 LA) is a key senior leadership role that performs a variety of technical and professional accounting work and support functions related to the operations of 603LA. This includes areas such as accounts payable and receivable, payroll, general ledger (including cost allocations, financial and cash reports and statements), grants, and budgets. The Controller oversees department staff (accounting and grants management), delivers appropriate reporting and maintains fiscal accountability to the Executive Director, Board, donors, and funders, as well as serves as a key fiscal-related public face of 603LA.  Essentially, this role maintains the fiscal and operational integrity of the Organization by deploying appropriate financial controls and systems, based on best practices.  The Organization has a mix of local, federal government, and foundation-based grants.  Under the direction of the Executive Director, work is relatively independent, with supervision available to address complex, non-routine questions. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

Strategic Leadership and Vision:

• Draft and communicate fiscal policies and regulations as appropriate to the Organization. 
• Develop policies and procedures based on the Code of Federal Regulations. 
• Evaluate and update policies and procedures to ensure compliance with grant requirements, government regulations, and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Develop and implement organizational strategic plans and operational policies that support program effectiveness and organizational sustainability.
• Lead preparation of the annual budget. 
• Prepare a variety of financial reports and statements, analyze data, identify trends, gather information, and conduct research to assist with fiscal forecasting.
• Provide overall financial assessments to the Executive Director, managers, and the Board of Directors. 
• Liaise with New Hampshire Legal Assistance fiscal staff as needed.
• Serve as key thought partner and collaborator with Executive Director as needed.
• Engage in and implement proactive strategic decision-making regarding fiscal operations of the Organization.

Supervision and Staff Management:

• Supervise accounting and grants staff (direct reports).
• Review and approve work performed by Staff/ Senior Accountant(s), including review of daily banking transactions, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, journal entries, grant reporting, organization-wide and grant-specific budgets, financial statements, and other ad hoc work such as reporting and analysis. 
• Review budgets (including grant budgets) prepared by the Staff/ Senior Accountant(s). 
• Fill in for Staff/ Senior Accountant(s) in their absence.
• Direct, review and approve work performed by grants staff.
• Conduct annual performance reviews of direct reports and collaborate on professional development plans.

Financial Management and Operations:

• Research and document variants to budget (including grant budgets). 
• Perform and coordinate month-end close. 
• Produce spreadsheets, charts, and tables, and analyze various data and scenarios. 
• Ensure timely and accurate processing of payables, deposits, journal entries, grant invoicing, and financial reporting, monthly and quarterly cost allocations, and bi-weekly payroll in conformity with Organizational policies and procedures, Legal Services Corporation and other grant requirements. 
• Assist senior leadership with reviewing HR matters, insurance policies, contracts, and related tasks.
• Assist with the review and evaluation of 603 LA employee benefits and insurances. 
• Coordinate with auditors and lead annual Single Audit, serving as the point person during audit process and ensuring full compliance. 
• Coordinate with auditors and lead preparation of the tax return Form 990, serving as the point person during the 990 preparation and review process. 
• Monitor accounting systems to ensure proper segregation of duty and internal controls and monitoring by funders. 
• Research and troubleshoot technical accounting problems. 
• Maintain confidential records and process and transmit information that requires a high degree of discretion. 
• Keep apprised of new developments in the field and current issues through regulatory reports and continued education and professional growth. 
• Present financial reporting to the Executive Director at regular meetings and as needed/requested.

Grant Management:

• Coordinate with grantors and lead grant reviews, serving as the point person for financial reviews of grants. 
• Read and interpret contracts and grants and identify and document information pertinent to finance and accounting. 
• In coordination with direct reports and relevant staff, develop and provide financial oversight of program grants.  
• In coordination with direct reports, manage application and funder submission deadlines and report compliance with all program grants. 

Board of Directors Governance:

• Attend Board of Directors Finance Committee meetings. 
• Prepare all financial materials for Board and deliver sufficiently in advance of meetings to allow for appropriate review.
• Present financial reporting to the Board of Directors, Treasurer, and Finance Committee at Board meetings. 
• Perform other tasks and duties as assigned or required. 

Job Requirements: 

• A bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field, preferably supplemented with 3-5 years of work experience in Uniform Grants Environment. An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may substitute for the degree requirement.  
• Command of 45 CFR 200 Cost Principles for Federal Awards. 
• Deep knowledge of Cost Allocation Principles, GAAP, grant budgeting, and reporting.
• Experience working for a non-profit organization is highly preferred. 
• Demonstrated leadership ability, including experience supervising, coaching, and mentoring attorneys, paralegals, and support staff.
• Experience with program planning, evaluation, and quality assurance.
• Ability to develop and implement management methods that enhance organizational resources and service delivery.
• Skills in human resource management, including recruitment, hiring, orientation, and performance evaluation.
• Strategic insight to align legal work with organizational goals and adapt to changing environments.
• Strong organizational, time management, and project management abilities.
• Experience with grant writing, reporting, and fundraising is highly valued.
• Excellent oral and written communication competency with attention to detail.
• Strong interpersonal skills, empathy, and the ability to work collaboratively with diverse groups, including clients, staff, board members, and external partners.
• Ability to foster collaboration and facilitate teamwork across lines of identity and difference.
• Experience building and maintaining relationships with community partners, stakeholders, and funders.
• Commitment to social, economic, and racial justice, and experience working with marginalized or low-income communities.
• Ability to represent the organization in advocacy efforts, public forums, and collaborative initiatives.
• Openness to technology and innovation in legal service delivery (e.g., developing legal resources, using content management systems, leveraging tech for access to justice).
• Ability to propose and implement technology, fiscal, and human resource innovations to improve organizational effectiveness.
• Advanced proficiency in computer technology, including Microsoft Office Suite and client database systems.
• Moderate to advance Excel skills managing large datasets with functions: IF, SUM, INDEX, MATCH, VLOOKUP, Pivot tables, etc. 
• Initiative, resourcefulness, and adaptability in a dynamic nonprofit environment.
• Commitment to the mission and values of legal aid and public interest law.
• Good judgment, a sense of humor, and the ability to maintain a positive, visionary leadership style.
• Spanish language or other language skills preferred.

Salary/Benefits: 

This position is full-time (37.5 hours weekly) and considered exempt for the purpose of federal wage/hour law. Salary is based on experience, with an anticipated range of $94,750–$114,750 annually, which represents a Controller salary at 4 to 10 years of experience on our pay scale. This position will be hybrid, three days in the office and two days from home, after an initial 90-day introductory period. Salary DOE, plus benefits package including medical, retirement, life and disability and generous paid time off. The Controller position is based in our Concord, NH office.