Controller

CommonLit is a nonprofit education technology organization dedicated to ensuring that all students, especially students in Title I schools, graduate with the reading, writing, communication, and problem-solving skills they need to be successful in college and beyond. We envision a world where all students get the opportunity to have a world class education. We operate an online reading program for grades 3-12, www.CommonLit.org, that is used by teachers in over 90,000 American schools.

The Opportunity

CommonLit's finance team manages all financial and accounting operations across our ~$20M organization. As Controller, you will serve as the senior financial leader responsible for all accounting operations, financial reporting, and team management, reporting directly to the VP of Finance. This role requires an experienced strategic professional who combines deep technical accounting expertise with proven management capabilities. You will own the complete accounting function and work hands-on while leading a growing high-performing finance team, and serve as a primary steward of data critical to organizational decision-making.

In the first 90 days in the role, you will be responsible for an accurate month-end close with an eye on improving timeline and efficiency, implementing process improvements that enhance efficiency and reduce risk, and be expected to demonstrate strategic thinking in financial analysis.

This department leadership role comes with significant responsibility for team development, process optimization, and strategic financial analysis that directly impacts organizational sustainability and growth. This is the ideal role for candidates who want to establish best-in-class financial reporting and dashboard capabilities, develop a high-performing finance team with clear succession planning, and serve as key financial advisor to leadership on operational decisions in an impact-oriented, non-profit organization.

Apply By: Friday, September 26 at 5 pm ET

Core Responsibilities

Accounting Operations Leadership

• Own complete month-end close process with target of <10 business days, including all balance sheet reconciliations, variance analysis, and financial statement preparation
• Lead technical accounting decisions across complex revenue streams including SaaS subscriptions, professional services, grants, and print operations
• Oversee cash management strategy including daily cash positioning, investment decisions, and banking relationships
• Direct all GL management with accountability for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with GAAPTax

Compliance & Regulatory Management

• Manage comprehensive tax compliance including state registrations, sales & use taxes, employment taxes, and coordination with payroll vendors across 30+ states
• Lead annual audit coordination including PBC management, auditor relations, testing support, and Form 990 preparation and filing
• Oversee vendor management including 1099 processing and AP/AR system administration
• Ensure regulatory compliance across all jurisdictions with proactive monitoring of changing requirements

Team Leadership & Development

• Manage 2-4 finance team members including Finance & Accounting Coordinator and Accounts Receivable Coordinator
• Drive professional development through mentoring, training, and succession planning
• Establish performance standards and accountability systems that support both individual growth and organizational excellence
• Foster collaborative culture aligned with CommonLit's SLAY values

Financial Reporting & Analysis

• Prepare sophisticated financial reports for board, leadership, and external stakeholders including monthly financial packages, grant reports, and strategic analysis
• Lead budget process collaboration including cost-center budgeting, variance analysis, and quarterly business reviews
• Support strategic decision-making through financial modeling, scenario analysis, and profitability assessment
• Advise VP of Finance on complex accounting matters, system implementations, and organizational financial strategy

Systems & Process Excellence

• Optimize financial systems architecture including Sage Intacct, BILL, and integration management
• Lead process improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and scalability
• Support system implementations including potential Salesforce-Intacct integration and sales tax automation
• Maintain internal controls ensuring single-audit level rigor appropriate for organizational size and complexity

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in accounting or finance; CPA desirable
• 8+ years progressive accounting experience with minimum 3 years in management/supervisory role
• Nonprofit accounting experience strongly preferred (grant compliance, restricted funds, audit management)
• Multi-revenue stream experience including SaaS, professional services, and/or manufacturing cost accounting; edtech, online publishing, and software industry experience highly desirable
• Public accounting/audit background preferred

Technical Leadership Requirements

• Advanced technical accounting expertise across complex revenue recognition (ASC 606), contributions revenue, exempt organizations, grant & contract accounting
• Proven systems leadership with Sage Intacct expertise and experience managing ERP implementations or integrations
• Audit management excellence including single audit experience and federal compliance requirements
• Advanced financial analysis skills including budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis
• Expert-level Excel proficiency and experience with FP&A tools (Mosaic experience a plus)

Leadership & Strategic Competencies

• Team leadership excellence: Proven ability to build, develop, and retain high-performing finance teams
• Strategic partnership: Experience serving as financial advisor to executive leadership and board-level stakeholders
• Process optimization: Track record of implementing efficiency improvements and system enhancements
• Communication leadership: Exceptional written and verbal communication with ability to translate complex financial information for non-finance audiences
• Change management: Experience leading organizational transitions, system implementations, and process improvements

Cultural Competencies

• Mission alignment: Genuine passion for educational equity and student success
• Remote leadership excellence: Proven success leading distributed teams with high engagement and performance
• Professionalism: Communication and presentation appropriate for C-suite partnership and board interaction

Why This Role Matters

CommonLit serves millions of students and teachers through our educational technology platform. As Controller, you will play a critical leadership role in ensuring financial excellence that enables continued growth and maximum mission impact.

Our Culture & Values

Our team has a caring, supportive culture - many colleagues are former educators who bring that same dedication to student success into everything we do. We value kindness, humor, clear communication, and genuine care for each other's growth and wellbeing. As a fully remote team, we maintain strong connections through video calls, regular team activities, and a commitment to responsive, transparent communication.

This role offers:

• Senior management responsibility with meaningful impact on organizational strategy and success
• Direct partnership with experienced VP of Finance and executive leadership team
• Team development opportunity to build and lead high-performing finance function
• Mission-driven environment where your expertise directly supports educational equity and student success
• Sophisticated systems and processes operating at best-in-class standards for organizations of our scale

At CommonLit, we are committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive company culture that values work-life balance and adapts to life’s changes. We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support our employees’ health, well-being, and financial security:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• HSA and FSA Plans, including Medical FSA, Limited FSA, and Dependent Care FSA options
• Company-sponsored basic life insurance, with additional options for supplemental life insurance
• Legal insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with a 4% safe harbor employer match
• Access to exclusive discounts, including pet insurance, hotel booking discounts, and more
• Remote work support, including a home office set-up stipend

Generous time off, including:

• 16 paid holidays annually
• Paid time off accruals and sick leave
• Paid family leave, including caregiver leave, medical leave, and 12 weeks of paid parental leave
• 2 floating holidays
• Volunteer and school visitation leave
• Jury duty leave
• Bereavement and compassionate leave
• Flexible work options

As a remote-first organization, CommonLit has team members in nearly 30 states and Washington, D.C. We strive to create a collaborative and engaging workplace through various connection opportunities:

• Monthly remote activities, such as dumpling-making, yoga, and virtual escape rooms
• Monthly "CoffeeLit" sessions for connecting with colleagues
• Learning and development opportunities for teams and individuals

Apply by: Friday, September 26 at 5 pm ET

As an equal opportunity employer, CommonLit values having a diverse workforce and continuously strives to maintain an inclusive and equitable workplace. We encourage people with a diverse range of backgrounds to apply. We do not discriminate against any person based upon their race, traits historically associated with race, religion, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy or related medical conditions, parental status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, genetic information, or any other legally protected characteristics. If you are a qualified applicant requiring assistance or an accommodation to complete any step of the application process due to a disability, you may contact us at careers@commonlit.org.

Candidates must have fluency in and an excellent verbal and written command of the English language.