Controller

Job Title:


Controller

Home Department:

Accounting

Reports To:


Chief Financial Officer

Effective Date:

January 1, 2024; revised October 1, 2026

This document is intended to describe the general duties required for this position. It is not intended to serve as an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities or physical requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

Position Summary

The Controller is responsible for the overall management, integrity, and effectiveness of the organization's accounting and financial reporting functions. Reporting directly to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), the Controller provides leadership and oversight of day-to-day accounting operations and ensures that financial transactions are recorded accurately, timely, and in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), applicable federal and state requirements, and Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) regulatory and grant requirements.

The Controller serves as a key financial partner to the CFO and organizational leadership by maintaining strong internal controls, overseeing the monthly and annual financial close processes, preparing accurate financial statements and management reports, supporting budgeting and forecasting activities, coordinating external audits, and monitoring compliance with financial policies and funding requirements.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Accounting Operations & Financial Reporting

• Directs and oversees the day-to-day accounting operations of the organization.
• Ensures accurate and timely recording of all financial transactions in accordance with GAAP and organizational policies.
• Oversees the general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash management, payroll accounting, fixed assets, accruals, prepaid expenses, and other accounting functions.
• Establishes and maintains an effective monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close process.
• Reviews account reconciliations and ensure timely resolution of discrepancies.
• Prepares and/or reviews monthly financial statements, including the balance sheet, statement of operations, cash flow information, and supporting schedules.
• Analyzes financial results and identify significant variances, trends, and areas requiring management attention.
• Ensures financial records are complete, accurate, properly supported, and audit-ready.

FQHC & Healthcare Finance

• Maintains accounting practices appropriate for an FQHC and its healthcare delivery environment.
• Supports accurate accounting and reporting for patient service revenue, contractual adjustments, grants, program income, restricted funds, and other revenue sources.
• Works collaboratively with Revenue Cycle, Clinical Operations, Compliance, and other departments to ensure appropriate financial reporting of healthcare activities.
• Supports accurate accounting for costs associated with clinical programs and other organizational services.
• Assists the CFO in monitoring financial performance related to reimbursement, patient volume, payer mix, grants, and other key financial drivers.
• Ensures financial transactions are appropriately classified by program, funding source, department, and/or cost center.

Grant & Program Accounting

• Oversees accounting and financial reporting processes for federal, state, local, and other grant-funded programs.
• Ensures grant expenditures are appropriately coded, documented, allowable, and consistent with applicable grant requirements.
• Monitors restricted and designated funds and ensure expenditures comply with funding restrictions.
• Assists with preparation of financial reports and supporting documentation required by grantors and funding agencies.
• Works with program managers to monitor grant budgets and expenditures.
• Assists the CFO in ensuring appropriate cost allocation among programs and funding sources.
• Maintains adequate documentation to support grant expenditures and audit requirements.

Budgeting & Financial Planning

• Supports the CFO in the development of the annual operating budget.
• Coordinates budget preparation with department leaders and managers.
• Maintains budget-to-actual reporting throughout the fiscal year.
• Monitors departmental and program expenditures and identify significant variances.
• Assists with forecasting revenue, expenses, cash flow, and other financial metrics.
• Provides financial analysis to assist management in evaluating operational and strategic decisions.
• Recommends corrective actions when financial performance differs materially from budget.

Internal Controls & Compliance

• Develops, implements, and maintains effective internal accounting controls.
• Ensures appropriate segregation of duties within the accounting function.
• Reviews accounting processes and recommend improvements to reduce errors, inefficiencies, and financial risk.
• Maintains and enforces accounting policies and procedures.
• Monitors compliance with organizational policies, GAAP, applicable federal and state requirements, and funding requirements.
• Assists the CFO with financial compliance matters and regulatory inquiries.
• Maintains appropriate documentation and financial records in accordance with organizational retention requirements.

Audit & External Reporting

• Coordinates the preparation of schedules, reconciliations, and supporting documentation for the annual financial statement audit.
• Serves as a primary point of contact for external auditors regarding accounting records and financial information, under the direction of the CFO.
• Assists with preparation and review of audit work papers and financial schedules.
• Monitors audit findings and assist in implementing corrective actions.
• Supports required federal, state, grant, and other financial reporting.

Cash Management & Treasury Oversight

• Monitors daily cash balances and overall cash position.
• Oversees bank reconciliations and investigate discrepancies.
• Assists the CFO with cash flow forecasting and liquidity management.
• Monitors accounts receivable and accounts payable activity for its impact on cash flow.
• Ensures appropriate controls over cash receipts, disbursements, and banking activities.
• Assists with banking relationships and treasury activities as directed by the CFO.

Accounts Payable, Payroll & Revenue Accounting Oversight

• Provides oversight of accounts payable processes to ensure timely and accurate payment of obligations.
• Reviews appropriate authorization and documentation for expenditures.
• Oversees payroll accounting and reconciliation processes in coordination with Human Resources and Payroll.
• Ensures payroll-related liabilities and expenses are accurately recorded.
• Coordinate with Revenue Cycle leadership to reconcile patient service revenue, deposits, accounts receivable, contractual adjustments, and related accounts.
• Identifies and resolves discrepancies between operational systems and the general ledger.

Accounting Team Leadership

• Leads, supervises, and develops accounting department personnel.
• Establishes clear expectations, performance standards, and accountability for accounting staff.
• Assigns responsibilities and ensures appropriate workload distribution.
• Conducts performance evaluations and provide coaching and professional development.
• Promotes a culture of accuracy, accountability, customer service, confidentiality, and continuous improvement.
• Cross-trains staff to ensure continuity of critical accounting functions.
• Identifies opportunities to streamline accounting processes and improve departmental efficiency.

Special Projects

• Participates in financial system implementations, upgrades, and process improvement initiatives.
• Supports the CFO with special financial projects and analyses.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the CFO.

Supervisory Duties and Responsibilities

• Directly supervises Accountant II and III.

• Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws.

Qualifications

• Master's Degree (MA) or equivalent, in business administration or accounting preferred.
• Ten years of related experience and/or training, or equivalent combination of education and experience.