JOB TITLE: Controller 

DESCRIPTION: 12-month, Full-Time, Exempt 

OVERVIEW: 

Westover School, an all-female independent boarding and day high school in Middlebury, CT, seeks a Controller to begin immediately. 

The role of Controller is an integral part of the Business Office, responsible for coordinating and assisting in the preparation of financial reports, such as internal financial statements and budget to actual reports, and analyses of historical and future income and expenses, in addition to other special reports that may be needed. The Controller also oversees the functions of accounting, audit, and assists in the budget process. The role is a supervisory role within the Business Office and reports to the Chief Operating Officer. 

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Responsible for managing the accounting function, ensuring accurate and timely financial information 

Preparing monthly financial statements, including variance analyses 

Supervising student billing and general accounting operations 

Coordinating with outsourced HR / payroll function 

Preparing and reviewing account reconciliations on a monthly basis 

Ensuring timely, accurate payment of debt service payments 

Assisting the COO with preparation and monitoring of departmental budgets and forecasts working with other administrators and department heads concerning budget performance 

Communicating accounting policies to affected employees and ensuring compliance with such policies

Supervising all incoming cash receipts and deposits 

Providing weekly cash reports to the COO 

Arranging audits with external auditors, preparing standard audit workpapers

Responsible for oversight of the chart of accounts 

Providing support in the hiring and training of department staff 

Participating in Finance Committee discussions 

Preparing all periodic surveys and reports for the School’s trade organizations (e.g. NAIS and CAIS)

Preparing other similar data as requested 

Performing other assignments and/or fiscal management responsibilities as assigned by the COO 

PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL SKILLS AND QUALITIES: 

The ideal candidate will possess a Bachelor’s degree in accounting with a minimum of 5-7 years experience in non-profit accounting, including managerial experience. CPA a plus. The candidate must have experience in a similar role. Independent School experience is a plus. A working knowledge of nonprofit accounting is essential. Familiarity with Blackbaud NXT. 

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies: 

Ability to learn and teach others established processes - recognizes the importance of learning and motivates others by own enthusiasm. Ability to learn and reproduce the current processes and recommend best practices to streamline them. 

Time Management Skills - Ability to manage many tasks and projects simultaneously while adhering to deadlines and promises. Maintains work/life balance without compromising expectations of others. Respected for ability to “find” or “make” time to get things done. 

Organizational Skills - Creates action plans to meet divisional goals and objectives. Conducts periodic reviews of progress and measures against goals. Establishes broad policies for the office to ensure success. 

Communications Skills - Effectively communicates accounting, financial and service issues that are complex in nature. Maintains open channels of communication with peers, administrators, and customers at the School. 

Written Communication Skills - Effectively communicates broad and very complex business issues. 

Problem Solving Skills - Considers a broad range of internal and external factors when solving problems. Grasps complexities and perceives relationships among different problems or issues. 

ABOUT WESTOVER: 

Westover School is an independent boarding and day high school that challenges smart, motivated girls to become confident, connected women. Serving 200 students each year, Westover offers a wide range of opportunities that provoke thought, spur discussion, and help build skills and expertise. 

At Westover, talented and motivated girls grow into confident and connected women - women who find lives of purpose and meaning, who understand they can make a difference and who understand the power of relationships. Heralded as one of the most beautiful schools in America, the Westover campus continues to inspire and connect all who walk through its halls.

FOR CONSIDERATION: 

Westover School is committed to building a diverse and inclusive campus community. The School welcomes applications from underrepresented groups, and seeks applicants who demonstrate a commitment to multiculturalism and diversity that is manifested in classroom practice, student engagement, interpersonal communication, and curricular decisions. For more information about the academic, spiritual and student life programs at Westover, visit www.westoverschool.org. 

Interested and qualified candidates should submit a formal letter of application, current resume, and a list of three references with contact information to: 

Carolyn Stiles 

Creative Independents 

carolyn@creativeindependents.org 

Please do not contact the school directly. 

Applications will be considered until the position is filled.