Controller

Client: Center for Urban Community Services (CUCS)

Job Title: Controller

Location: 198 E. 121st Street, 6th Floor, New York, NY 10035, United States

Annual Salary: $183,598

Experience Level: Senior-Level / Finance Leadership

Required Experience: 7–10 years in accounting and finance

Reports To: Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

About the Client

Center for Urban Community Services (CUCS) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people rise from poverty, exit homelessness, and achieve better health and well-being. CUCS develops affordable housing and provides integrated housing, health, and social services to homeless, formerly homeless, and low-income individuals and families.

The organization also delivers professional training to human service, behavioral health, and judicial professionals across New York and nationally.

Job Overview

CUCS is seeking an experienced and strategic Controller to oversee its finance, accounting, and financial reporting functions. Reporting directly to the CFO, the Controller will serve as a key finance leader, managing day-to-day financial operations for a $100 million budget and overseeing a team of 18 professionals.

The successful candidate will ensure financial accuracy, regulatory compliance, strong internal controls, effective grant management, and timely reporting. This role will partner closely with the CFO, senior leadership, program directors, and HR and IT teams to strengthen financial systems, support organizational decision-making, and advance CUCS's mission.

Key Responsibilities

Finance & Accounting Leadership

• Oversee general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and financial reporting operations.
• Ensure compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), regulatory requirements, and internal financial policies.
• Maintain effective internal controls and safeguards over revenue, expenditures, and program budgets.
• Coordinate internal and external audits and ensure timely resolution of audit findings.
• Prepare and present accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements and reports.
• Monitor financial performance, analyze budget variances, and communicate key findings to senior leadership.
• Support annual budgeting, financial planning, forecasting, and performance analysis.
• Assist the CFO with presentations and financial discussions involving the Board Finance and Audit Committees.

Grants & Nonprofit Financial Management

• Oversee financial accounting for grants, programs, and projects.
• Ensure grant expenditures align with approved budgets, funding restrictions, and grant periods.
• Coordinate financial reporting and compliance for government, corporate, and foundation grants.
• Manage cash flow forecasting and collaborate with funding partners to support program sustainability.
• Monitor invested assets in accordance with organizational investment policies and guidelines.

Team Leadership & Systems Improvement

• Lead, mentor, and develop a finance team of 18 employees.
• Establish clear roles, responsibilities, and performance expectations across finance functions.
• Strengthen internal communication and collaboration with program and administrative teams.
• Partner with HR, IT, and senior leadership to improve the integration of financial systems and processes.
• Oversee accounting software, financial reporting systems, and relationships with technology vendors.
• Translate complex financial information into practical insights for finance and non-finance stakeholders.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• 7–10 years of progressive accounting and finance experience.
• CPA and/or MBA preferred.
• Experience in a complex nonprofit organization with multiple programs is highly desirable.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP, financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and internal controls.
• Proven experience managing audits, general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and payroll.
• Demonstrated expertise in government, corporate, and foundation grant accounting, compliance, and reporting.
• Experience leading finance teams and managing multiple accounting functions.
• Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Proficiency with accounting and financial reporting software and experience implementing or improving financial systems.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, including presenting financial information to senior leadership and board committees.
• A collaborative, hands-on leadership style and commitment to CUCS's mission of supporting vulnerable communities.