Controller

ABOUT THE HOUSING PARTNERSHIP NETWORK

Housing Partnership Network (HPN) is an award-winning membership network of 100 of the nation’s leading affordable housing and community development nonprofits.  Through practitioner-driven peer exchange, policy and innovation, the Housing Partnership Network’s mission is to leverage the individual strengths and mobilize the collective power of our member organizations. Our vision is that all people live in vibrant and inclusive communities where access to affordable homes creates opportunity and economic mobility. 

Since our founding in 1992, HPN has collectively served over 12.8 million people; developed, rehabilitated, or preserved about 470,000 affordable homes; and launched 14 successful social enterprises. Our work has been recognized with honors including the MacArthur Award for Creative & Effective Institutions and Wells Fargo NEXT Award for Opportunity Finance. Learn more at www.housingpartnership.net.

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY AND EQUITY

HPN is committed to creating a diverse and equitable environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. HPN recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status and other protected status. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. We aspire to build a diverse team, one that better reflects the people and communities we serve. Applicants who contribute to this diversity are strongly encouraged to apply. 

WE VALUE

Collaboration - We are a true network. We believe in the power and benefits of broad engagement, empowerment and collaboration.

Connection - We actively build relationships that connect people, ideas, and organizations to forge new paths for improving communities.

Racial Equity - We are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion at HPN, and helping members advance initiatives that dismantle long-standing systemic racial biases and discrimination to achieve economic and social justice.

Inclusion - We recognize our power comes from the collective and cooperative nature of our work, based on an environment that is inclusive of diverse experiences, backgrounds and perspectives.

Respect - We are open, honest, and respectful in all of our interactions which strengthens our relationships, our mission, our work with colleagues and members, and ultimately the lives of the people we all serve.

Transformation - We work with our members to transform our industry by creating systemic solutions to help people who live in our communities to thrive.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Reporting to the Executive Vice-President & Chief Financial Officer, the Controller has overall responsibility of HPN and selected affiliates, accounting, financial reporting, and control environment. The Controller will lead all day-to-day operations of the accounting team, including grants accounting, accounts payable and receivable, general ledger, payroll, relationship management with banks and selected other vendors, and audit preparation. This position takes ownership of managing all accounting functions for selected new start-up entities as well as existing social enterprises with the ability to expand responsibility and function autonomously.  

The Controller is responsible for identifying opportunities to improve efficiencies, eliminate backlogs, and proactively respond to internal and external partner needs. The individual will analyze the existing processes and systems and work closely with the CFO and partners to streamline and enhance current systems, leverage information technology, and establish and communicate effective processes and procedures. 

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Accounting and Reporting 

• Ensure accurate and timely reporting. 
• Review monthly balance sheet schedules, Profit and Loss, budget versus actual Profit and Loss, statement of cash flows. 
• Oversee general ledger accounting tasks such as recurring journal entries for accruals, prepaid, payroll, leases and notes payable for multiple entities.   
• Oversee the month-end close schedule and process. 
• Prepare monthly/quarterly financial statements for presentation to management and internal teams. 
• Oversee outsourced accounts functions: AP, AR, and work to optimize outsourcing firms service offerings.  
• Monitor and manage daily cash and investment balances. 
• Oversee grants accounting and reporting processes in partnership with fundraising and program teams.  
• Maintain strong knowledge of relevant current and future accounting policy pronouncements and effectively use this knowledge to provide insights into to how to best present, represent and defend HPN’s financial statements.
• Assist Financial Planning and Analysis team with budgeting and periodic financial projections as needed. 

Policies and Control  

• Develop and maintain accounting policies, procedures, and internal control framework. 
• Implement and maintain internal controls to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. 
• Conduct regular reviews and assessments of internal controls to identify areas for improvement. 
• Contribute to financial and investment policies adopted and maintained within finance function. 

Audit, Tax, Insurance and Compliance 

• Responsible for preparing the annual audit and tax filings and overseeing external auditors' work. 
• Maintain all required regulatory compliance regarding financial transactions, reporting, taxation, and insurance.
• Work with insurance brokers and others to monitor insurance policies and engage CFO in an annual review process. 
• Oversee lender/investor compliance reporting. 
• Oversee NICRA calculation. 

Systems and Processes 

• Lead initiatives to automate and streamline accounting processes, leveraging technology solutions where applicable. 
• Collaborate with the IS Team and other partners on software and system enhancements, including the implementation of software associated with finance and accounting functions, in addition to other system implementations. 
• Drive process improvements and efficiency in financial operations. 
• Provide guidance and training to finance team on system usage and best practices. 

Strategic Initiatives 

• Assist CFO with determination of and recommend accounting for new enterprises, investments, and other transactions. 
• Partner with and advise internal customers on accounting for transactions and investment and recommend approaches to achieve business objectives. 
• Support the CFO in engaging the board’s finance committees around issues and trends in financial operating models and control framework. 
• Support the organization's mission and vision through financial leadership. 
• Contribute to the development and implementation of financial strategies and initiatives to enhance processes, controls, and systems driving efficiency and effectiveness across the organization. 
• Evaluate emerging trends, technologies, and best practices in finance and accounting to identify opportunities for innovation and differentiation. 

Team Leadership 

• Manage accounting team through visionary leadership, setting clear goals and objectives aligned with HPN’s strategic priorities. 
• Supervise the work of accounting team and delegate tasks effectively. 
• Mentor, and coach accounting team, providing guidance and support to enhance their skills, knowledge, and professional growth. 
• Contribute to the strategy and development of the Finance Department. 
• Foster a collaborative and high-performing team culture. 
• Promote professional development and skill-building within the team. 

PEER EXCHANGE

Housing Partnership Network's strength comes not just from capabilities of its membership, but from our desire to collaborate with one another. One of HPN’s core activities is Leadership Exchange. This leadership exchange is more than simply sharing best practices or new ideas across the network – it is the catalyst and fuel for the creation of each HPN social enterprise, industry innovation and the cornerstone of HPN's four levels of impact – changing market systems, strengthening members, improving communities and growing opportunity. Every employee at HPN shares in our commitment to collaboration and leadership exchange and holds the responsibility to ensure member support, engagement, and peer exchange. Some practical examples of these duties which you may be required to fulfill include but are not limited to:

• Leading communities of practice (Communities of practice “COPs” are groups of HPN staff and members who engage in a process of collective learning in a shared area of expertise to accelerate best practices and generate ideas through leadership).
• Attending and facilitating sessions at our biennial (or other) membership meetings.
• Participating in the creation and growth of our member-driven social enterprises.
• Seeking opportunities to collaborate with our members outside of our meetings and COPs.
• Partnering with colleagues and members as it pertains to your specific role or expertise. 

QUALIFICATIONS

• BA/Master/MBA in accounting/finance preferred. 
• CPA strongly preferred. 
• 10+ years of accounting experience.
• Mix of for-profit and non-profit experience preferred). 
• Proven ability to work with a high level of integrity, accuracy, and attention to detail. 
• Experience with CDFI’s and/or affordable housing industry ideal. 
• Strong system skills and superior Excel skills. 
• Ability to manage multiple priorities. 
• Excellent interpersonal skills 
• Strong leadership, communication, and analytical skills. 
• High ethical standards and a commitment to integrity. 
• Demonstrated ability to synthesize, summarize, and communicate financial information. 
• Excellent written, oral communication skills and interpersonal skills 
• Ability to build effective relationships with all levels of the leadership and management teams. 
• Demonstrate a continuous improvement mindset. 
• Ability to work effectively in a fast paced/demanding environment. 
• Ability to manage multiple priorities. 
• Knowledge of limited partnerships and other corporate structures.

OTHER

• Headquarters based in Boston, but location is flexible.  
• HPN is a remote-first company. “Remote-first” is an organizational strategy that makes working remotely the primary option for most employees. All new employees will be required to be onsite at HPN headquarters or in the Boston area multiple days during weeks designated as All-Staff weeks. There may be additional times when teams are required to travel by their leadership based on scheduled events, team meetings, and business needs.

COMPENSATION 

• Salary: $167,200 (min)-$209,00 (mid). Commensurate with education and experience with a bonus potential. 

BENEFITS:

• 15 vacation days, 12 sick days, 12 paid holidays, paid personal day, medical, dental and vision insurance, health savings account, flexible spending account, dependent care flexible spending account, retirement and savings plan/401(k) match, group life insurance, short- and long-term disability, parental leave, sabbatical leave, professional development and much more!

TO APPLY

Please submit cover letter and resume.