Controller

Job Overview

Reporting directly to the Chief Financial Officer, the Controller is the senior accounting and financial reporting leader for New Jersey Community Capital (NJCC), a nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), and its consolidating and non-consolidating affiliated entities, including entities with external partners. The Controller is responsible for the accuracy and timeliness of all accounting, financial reporting, audit, tax and compliance functions; owns the monthly close and internal control environment; oversees loan portfolio accounting and CDFI Fund, the real estate portfolio and lender/investor reporting; leads the accounting team; and partners with the CFO and executive leadership on financial strategy.

Responsibilities

Leadership & Management

• Lead, mentor and develop the accounting team (e.g., Assistant Controller, Senior Accountants); set priorities, review work product and manage performance.
• Partner with the CFO on financial strategy, budgeting, forecasting and liquidity; present financial analysis to the executive team and Board committees (e.g., Finance, Audit).

Annually

• Lead the annual financial statement audit for NJCC and non-consolidating entities as primary liaison with external auditors; fulfill audit requests, prepare responses to financial statement questions and oversee GAAP-compliant financial statements and footnotes (ASC 958).
• Oversee Single Audit readiness, as applicable.
• Oversee tax and regulatory filings with outside advisors and ensure proper completion of annual tax reporting.
• Lead the annual budget process and CDFI Fund certification and reporting (Annual Certification Report, Institution Level Report, Transaction Level Report).
• Review and approve the annual allowance for credit losses.

Quarterly

• Provide budget-to-actual variance analysis and explanations to the CFO, management, and the Board.
• Prepare and review covenant compliance and lender/investor reports, including portfolio performance, delinquency and loan loss reserves.
• Review balance sheet reconciliations, including equity accounts and net assets, to ensure all balances are valid, and monitor and follow up on open receivables, including Property Management fees.
• Review expenditures, match and compliance requirements for federal, state and other awards (including CDFI Fund and other grants).

Monthly

• Own the monthly close; analytically review entity balance sheets and income statements.
• Ensure accuracy of intercompany accounts; review bank reconciliations and loan sub-ledger to general ledger reconciliations.
• Review and approve journal entries within the accounting system and ensure their accuracy, including loan, interest, fee and debt-related accruals.

Ongoing

• Maintain strong internal controls and written policies; ensure compliance with current accounting standards, including ongoing accuracy of lease accounting under the new standard.
• Work closely with other departments to ensure Yardi sub-ledger reporting (rental income, receivables, rent roll, escrow balances) is accurate and agrees to the financial reporting system.
• Support treasury, cash flow forecasting, debt management, and new financing structures (e.g., NMTC), as applicable.
• Manage and optimize accounting and loan management systems (Financial Edge, Yardi, Salesforce, and Benedict).
• Provide timely, accurate reporting to external parties, including lenders, investors, funders, regulators, and the CDFI Fund.
• Support Financial Management colleagues; interact often with other business areas and external parties while performing responsibilities; complete or assist with ad hoc and one-off projects and perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance required; Master’s degree (e.g., MBA, MSA) preferred.
• 8-10+ years of progressive accounting and financial management experience, including 3-5 years in a supervisory role.
• Nonprofit, CDFI or financial institution experience strongly desired; strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP and nonprofit accounting (ASC 958) required.
• Experience with loan portfolio accounting, including CECL, loan servicing reconciliations and lender/investor reporting.
• Experience with federal grants compliance (Uniform Guidance, Single Audit) and CDFI Fund certification and reporting strongly preferred.
• Experience leading external audits and managing tax filings and consolidations for multiple entities; NMTC or real estate/tax-credit accounting is a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise and develop a team and build strong relationships with the CFO, executive staff, Board members, auditors, lenders, and investors.
• Working knowledge of computerized accounting systems; Financial Edge, Yardi and/or Salesforce experience is required. Advanced Excel and Microsoft Office proficiency.
• Must be comfortable working in a mission-driven, small office environment and possess flexibility and enthusiasm.
• Demonstrated ability to balance multiple tasks, collaborate with co-workers, work well independently in a fast-paced environment, prioritize and meet deadlines, and maintain discretion with confidential information.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including explaining complex financial information to non-financial audiences; and excellent networking, relationship management, and customer skills.

Licenses & Certifications

Required

• Active Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license in good standing (NJ or another U.S. jurisdiction, with eligibility for NJ licensure).
• Compliance with continuing professional education (CPE) requirements needed to maintain licensure.
• Satisfactory background and credit check and eligibility for coverage under NJCC’s fidelity bond and insurance policies.

Preferred

• Additional certifications such as CGMA, CMA or CFE.
• Training or experience in federal grants compliance (Uniform Guidance), CDFI Fund compliance or NMTC accounting.