Controller

Position Summary

JCC Association is seeking an experienced and highly collaborative Controller to join our Finance team during an exciting time of change and growth in the organization. We are seeking someone entrepreneurial who will roll up their sleeves, question existing processes, and create new systems and structures as we scale. The Controller will oversee accounting operations, financial reporting, internal controls, and compliance with nonprofit accounting standards (GAAP/FASB) and funder requirements, while playing a key role in shaping our financial infrastructure for the next stage of growth. This individual will be a key partner to the CFAO, providing financial information and insights leadership needs for decisionmaking.

Key Responsibilities

Accounting & Financial Operations

• Oversee day-to-day accounting operations: general ledger, accounts payable/receivable, cash management, and bank reconciliations
• Manage month-end and year-end close processes, with an eye toward continuously improving speed and accuracy as the organization grows
• Ensure accurate coding and allocation of expenses across programs, grants, and funding sources (functional expense reporting)
• Maintain the chart of accounts, and evolve it as new programs and funding streams come online

Financial Reporting & Compliance

• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements (Statement of Financial Position, Statement of Activities, Statement of Cash Flows, Statement of Functional Expenses)
• Ensure compliance with GAAP and FASB nonprofit accounting standards
• Coordinate and manage the annual audit and Form 990 preparation with external auditors/tax preparers

Grant & Restricted Fund Reporting

• Track each gift over its full lifecycle — from initial pledge or award, through cash receipt, spend-down, and release from restriction — ensuring accurate treatment at each stage
• Maintain detailed records of pledges receivable, cash received, and net assets released from restriction in accordance with donor and grantor stipulations
• Monitor restricted fund balances against grant budgets and timelines to flag over/under-spending, expiring restrictions, or reporting deadlines
• Partner with development/grants staff to reconcile gift records between fundraising systems and the general ledger
• Ensure timely and accurate release of temporarily restricted net assets as donor-imposed conditions or time restrictions are satisfied

Budgeting & Analysis

• Support the annual budgeting process across departments and programs
• Provide variance analysis (budget-to-actual) and financial insights to leadership and program managers on a monthly basis
• Monitor cash flow and forecast financial needs, especially as revenue sources and program scope shift

Internal Controls & Risk Management

• Design, implement, and maintain internal controls to safeguard organizational assets
• Ensure segregation of duties and adherence to financial policies and procedures
• Proactively identify gaps in current processes and build scalable solutions rather than patching around them
• Manage banking relationships, and compliance with state filing requirements

Team Leadership & Systems

• Lead, manage, and develop accounting staff of three professionals
• Optimize the use of our ERP and other systems to support a growing organization
• Train non-finance staff on budget management and expense coding as needed

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
• 710
• years of accounting experience, including 2+ years in a supervisory or controller-level role
• Strong knowledge of nonprofit fund accounting, GAAP, and FASB standards
• Experience with restricted/unrestricted fund accounting
• Proficiency in accounting software (Sage Intacct, or similar)
• Advanced excel skills
• A track record of building or improving financial systems and processes, not just running existing ones
• Comfort with ambiguity and shifting priorities in a fast-paced, growing organization
• Proven ability to independently own and sustain rigorous restricted fund/gift-lifecycle accounting

Preferred

• CPA or CMA certification
• Prior nonprofit sector experience, especially during a period of organizational growth or scaling
• Experience managing external audits and Form 990 preparation

Key Competencies

• Entrepreneurial mindset — sees ambiguity as an opportunity to build, not an obstacle
• High attention to detail and accuracy, even when moving quickly
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Passion for automation and continuous improvement
• Ability to communicate financial information clearly to non-financial stakeholders
• Integrity and discretion with confidential financial data
• Comfort working in a mission-driven, resource-conscious, fast-moving environment

  Qualified candidates will participate in a multi-stage interview process: 

• First-round virtual interview via Zoom. 
• Subsequent interview rounds conducted in person at JCC Association's Midtown Manhattan office. 

Additional Information

This full-time position is based in our New York City headquarters. Our current hybrid schedule includes in-office work Tuesday through Thursday, with additional attendance and travel as needed to support meetings, events, and organizational priorities.

Compensation and Benefits

• Salary Range: $145,000-$165,000 commensurate with experience.
• JCC Association offers a competitive benefits package including:
• Medical and dental insurance
• Eight paid legal holidays and up to 13 paid Jewish holidays (with early office closures on select eves)
• Paid vacation
• Sick, family, medical, jury duty, and bereavement leave
• Flexible benefit plan
• Pre-tax salary deductions for transit
• Short- and long-term disability
• Life insurance
• Retirement plan

About JCC Association

JCC Association of North America, through its three Centers of Excellence—Peoplehood, Talent Development, and Innovation and Impact—leads the JCC Movement, the largest and most inclusive platform for Jewish life in the United States and Canada, which includes nearly 150 Jewish Community Centers and JCC Camps and JWB Jewish Chaplains Council®. Collectively, the JCC Movement engages more than 5 million people each week— in person and online. With leadership and support of JCC Association, the JCC Movement strengthens Jewish community, advances vibrant Jewish life, and delivers intentional, measurable impact, locally, continent-wide, and wherever Jewish life is lived. Learn more at JCCA.org or on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram. 

 JCC Association is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and we are committed to treating people with compassion and respect. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, pregnancy, disability, mental disorder, familial status, veteran status, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic as established by law. 

To apply: Please submit a resume and cover letter with "Controller" in the subject line to Irina Khomina, HR Director at i.khomina@jcca.org. 

JCC Association offers a competitive benefits package including:

• Medical and dental insurance
• Eight paid legal holidays and up to 13 paid Jewish holidays (with early office closures on select eves)
• Paid vacation
• Sick, family, medical, jury duty, and bereavement leave
• Flexible benefit plan
• Pre-tax salary deductions for transit
• Short- and long-term disability
• Life insurance
• Retirement plan