Controller

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

Position: Controller

Reports to: Director of Finance & Operations 

Bargaining Unit: No

FLSA: Exempt

Type: Full Time 

Position Summary

Centro Legal seeks a Controller to oversee the growing Accounting department. The Controller will be responsible for oversight of all finance, accounting and reporting activities. The Controller will be involved in supporting presentations to the board finance and audit committee and will work closely with the senior leadership team. This position will lead all day- to day finance operations of an annual budget close to $20 million. 

Primary Responsibilities 

Accounting 

• A strong commitment to timely and accurate financial recordkeeping.  
• Oversee all accounts, ledgers, and reporting systems ensuring compliance with appropriate GAAP standards and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain internal control and safeguards for receipt of revenue, costs, and program budgets and actual expenditures.
• Coordinate all audit activity.
• Consistently analyze financial data and present financial reports in an accurate and timely manner; clearly communicate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements; monitor progress and changes and keep senior leadership informed of Centro Legal’s financial status.
• Assist Centro Legal’s leadership in the annual budgeting and planning process; administer and review all financial plans and compare to actual results with a view to identify, explain, and correct variances as appropriate.
• Support the Director of Finance and Operations in engaging the board’s audit and finance committees around issues and trends in financial operating models and delivery.
• Oversee all financial, project/program and grants accounting; ensure that expenditures are consistently aligned with grant and program budgets throughout the grant/fund period; collate financial reporting materials for government, corporate, and foundation grants.
• Manage organizational cash flow forecasting by working in partnership with the program vice presidents; continuously collaborate with program vice presidents to assess the financial efficacy of program operations and establish finance and administrative systems to support program operations.
• Manage and track the performance of invested assets in keeping with policies and investment guidelines.

Team Leadership

• Leverage strengths of the current finance team members, help to clarify roles and responsibilities and develop and implement training programs in order to maximize and reach optimal individual and organizational goals.
• Provide leadership in strengthening internal communications with staff at all levels throughout the organization; create and promote a positive and supportive work environment.

Qualifications

First and foremost, the applicant must profoundly share Centro Legal’s mission and vision of racial, economic, and social justice. Qualifications include:

• Minimum of 3 years of accounting management experience, preferably within a non-profit organization  
• Leverage strengths of the current finance team members, help to clarify roles and responsibilities and develop and implement training programs in order to maximize and reach optimal individual and organizational goals.
• Provide leadership in strengthening internal communications with staff at all levels throughout the organization; create and promote a positive and supportive work environment.
• Commitment to Centro Legal’s mission; a proactive, hands-on strategic thinker who will own, in partnership with the Director of Finance and Operations, the responsibility for finance
• Minimum of a BA; CPA and/or MBA preferred
• Experience coordinating audit activities and managing reporting, budget development and analysis, accounts payable and receivable, general ledger, payroll, and accounting for investments
• A track record in grants management as it relates to compliance and reporting of government, corporate and foundation grants is essential
• Skilled in software with experience selecting and overseeing software installations and managing relationships with software vendors; advanced knowledge of accounting and reporting software
• Commitment to recruiting, mentoring, training, and retaining a diverse team; the foresight and ability to delegate accordingly
• Keen analytic, organization and problem-solving skills which allows for strategic data interpretation versus. simple reporting
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; experience in effectively communicating key data, including presentations to senior management, board or other outside partners
• Ability to translate complex financial concepts to individuals at all levels including finance and non-finance managers

Compensation & Benefits

Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience ranging from $100,000- $115,000. We provide a generous benefits package, including life insurance, LTD, leave policies, vacation, and December holiday office closure at full pay.

To Apply

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.  Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Submit: 1) cover letter, 2) resume, and 3) a list of three professional references. Include “Controller” in the subject line. Please email application materials directly to jobs@centrolegal.org. 

POSITION OPEN UNTIL FILLED

About Centro Legal de la Raza

Founded in 1969 and headquartered in Oakland, California, Centro Legal de la Raza (Centro Legal) is a comprehensive legal services and advocacy organization protecting and advancing the rights of immigrant, low-income, and Latino communities through bilingual representation, education, and advocacy. We combine quality legal services with know-your-rights education, affirmative litigation, and youth development, ensuring access to justice for thousands of individuals and families each year throughout Northern and Central California.

For more information, visit our website: https://centrolegal.org/

Diversity Statement

Centro Legal’s mission includes advancing social, economic and racial justice. We are committed to fostering, cultivating and preserving a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion within and ensuring a workplace where all staff can flourish and grow professionally and well beyond. Our staff are the most important part of our ability to achieve our mission. The collective sum of the individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, inventiveness, innovation, self-expression, unique capabilities and talent that our employees invest in their work represents a significant part of not only our culture, but our reputation, sustainability and our organization’s success. Centro Legal is an equal employment opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, sex, pregnancy), gender, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, medical condition including genetic characteristics, mental or physical disability, military or veteran status, marital status, family responsibilities, caregiver status, sexual orientation, gender identity (including transgender status), gender expression, weight, height, linguistic characteristics (such as accent and limited English proficiency where not substantially job-related), citizenship status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking, HIV/AIDs status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Centro also prohibits discrimination based on a perception that an individual has any of the characteristics of the protected classes listed above, and further prohibits discrimination against an individual who is associated with a person who has, or is perceived to have, any of those characteristics.