Controller

Job Title: Controller

The Controller serves as the senior financial leader responsible for the administration and oversight of Columbia Housing's accounting, financial reporting, budgeting, treasury management, grant compliance, audit coordination, and financial operations. The Controller functions as the Agency's chief financial administrator and serves as the principal advisor and strategic partner to the Chief Operating Officer/Chief Financial Officer (COO/CFO) on financial matters.

The Controller is responsible for ensuring the integrity of financial records, safeguarding Agency assets, maintaining compliance with HUD regulations, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), federal and state requirements, and Columbia Housing policies and procedures. The Controller exercises independent judgment in directing financial operations, supervising finance staff, managing financial reporting, and supporting executive decision-making.

The Controller may act on behalf of the COO/CFO in financial matters as delegated and is expected to provide leadership that promotes fiscal accountability, operational efficiency, and sound financial management throughout the Agency.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Financial Leadership and Administration

• Direct and manage the day-to-day operations of the Finance Department.
• Serve as the senior financial administrator responsible for accounting, financial reporting, budgeting, treasury administration, and compliance activities.
• Assist the COO/CFO in developing and implementing financial strategies that support Agency goals and objectives.
• Evaluate financial operations and recommend improvements to enhance efficiency, compliance, and internal controls.
• Develop, implement, and maintain financial policies, procedures, and best practices.
• Provide financial analysis and recommendations to executive leadership.

Accounting and Financial Operations

• Oversee all accounting functions including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll review, grant accounting, fixed assets, and financial reporting.
• Ensure the accuracy and completeness of all accounting records and financial transactions.
• Review and approve journal entries, account reconciliations, and accounting adjustments.
• Oversee monthly, quarterly, and annual financial closing processes.
• Monitor interfund and inter-program transactions and allocations.
• Ensure compliance with GAAP and applicable governmental accounting standards.

Financial Reporting

• Prepare, review, and present monthly financial statements, management reports, and supporting analyses for executive leadership and Board meetings.
• Preparation and submission of Financial Data Schedule (FDS) reports and other HUD-required financial reporting.
• Prepare financial reports for HUD, lenders, investors, auditors, and regulatory agencies.
• Review budget-to-actual reports and provide variance analysis and recommendations.
• Ensure timely and accurate completion of all financial reporting requirements.

Budgeting and Financial Planning

• Coordinate annual operating, capital, grant, and development budget preparation.
• Assist with Agency-wide financial forecasting and long-range financial planning.
• Monitor budget performance and recommend corrective actions when necessary.
• Review budget amendments and financial projections.
• Assist with debt management, capital planning, and financing initiatives.

Treasury and Cash Management

• Monitor Agency-wide cash flow, liquidity, and funding requirements.
• Review bank reconciliations and banking activities.
• Review, prepare, and recommend fund transfers for COO/CFO approval.
• Assist with cash management strategies and reserve monitoring.
• Review and process draw requests and supporting documentation for Operating Fund, Capital Fund, grants, and other funding sources.

HUD Compliance and Financial Monitoring

• Manage Operating Subsidy funding and Capital Fund financial activities, including the preparation and processing of all Capital Fund draw requests and supporting documentation. Coordinate Capital Fund budget revisions and EPIC submissions for review and final approval by the COO/CFO.
• Manage Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) funding utilization, monitor Restricted Net Position (RNP) and Unrestricted Net Position (UNP), and prepare, review, and submit all Voucher Management System (VMS) reporting to ensure compliance with HUD requirements.
• Monitor compliance with HUD regulations, grant requirements, and Agency financial policies.
• Coordinate responses to HUD financial reviews and monitoring activities.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local financial regulations.

Audit and Internal Controls

• Serve as the primary coordinator for all financial audits, regulatory reviews, and compliance examinations.
• Coordinate auditor requests and preparation of audit schedules and supporting documentation.
• Develop and maintain strong internal control systems to safeguard Agency assets.
• Ensure implementation of audit recommendations and corrective action plans.
• Conduct periodic reviews of financial processes and risk management practices.

External Financial Relationships

• Serve as the primary liaison with HUD, auditors, lenders, investors, financial institutions, and regulatory agencies regarding routine financial matters.
• Coordinate financial reporting requirements with external stakeholders.
• Assist with financial matters related to RAD conversions, mixed-finance developments, tax credit partnerships, and other Agency development initiatives.

Leadership and Staff Development

• Supervise Finance Department personnel and provide leadership, coaching, mentoring, and professional development.
• Plan, assign, review, and evaluate employee performance.
• Participate in recruitment, hiring, disciplinary actions, and succession planning.
• Foster a culture of accountability, customer service, teamwork, and continuous improvement.

Other Duties

• Assist with Board financial presentations and executive financial reporting.
• Serve as acting financial lead during the absence of the COO/CFO when delegated.
• Perform special projects and other duties as assigned.

Behavioral Competencies

This position requires the incumbent to exhibit the following behavioral skills:

Leadership: Provides direction by clearly and effectively setting course of action for department and subordinates; manages performance by providing regular feedback and reinforcement to subordinates.

Job Knowledge: Exhibits requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the position effectively. Demonstrates knowledge of policies, procedures, goals, objectives, operational entities, requirements, and activities as they apply to the assigned organizational entity of CH. Uses appropriate judgment & decision making in accordance with level of responsibility.

Commitment: Sets high standards of performance; pursues aggressive goals and works hard/smart to achieve them; strives for results and success; conveys a sense of urgency and brings issues to closure; persists despite obstacles and opposition.

Customer Service: Meets/exceeds the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers; identifies, understands, monitors and measures the needs of both internal and external customers; talks and acts with customers in mind. Recognizes work colleagues as customers.

Effective Communication: Ensures important information is passed to those who need to know; conveys necessary information clearly and effectively orally or in writing. Demonstrates attention to, and conveys understanding of, the comments and questions of others; listens effectively.

Initiative: Proactively seeks solutions to resolve unexpected challenges. Actively assists others without formal/informal direction. Possesses the capacity to learn and actively seeks developmental feedback. Applies feedback for continued growth by mastering concepts needed to perform work.

Responsiveness and Accountability: Demonstrates a high level of conscientiousness; holds oneself personally responsible for one's own work; does fair share of work.

Teamwork: Balances team and individual responsibilities; exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; gives and welcomes feedback; contributes to building a positive team spirit; puts success of team above own interests; supports everyone's efforts to succeed.

Job Competencies

• Knowledge of HUD, federal, state, and local laws and regulations, as well as CH policies and procedures related to the position.
• Knowledge of networking including routers, remote communications, and servers.
• Superior knowledge of accounting processes including transactional, review, reporting and budgeting.
• Knowledge of compliance requirements associated with federal, state and local grants as these may affect accounting and reporting processes.
• Strong knowledge of accounting for governmental entities, limited partnerships and not-for-profit entities.
• Demonstrated skill to generate complex journal entries for transactions such as real estate sales, purchases or transfers, debt and equity transactions and mixed-finance development deals.