[2024 - 25] Controller (Salary $100k - $122k)

Company Description

Every School. Every Student. Every Day.

Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP) North Carolina, is a network of eight tuition-free, college-preparatory public charter schools educating approximately 3,000 students in grades K-12 in Durham, Halifax, Northampton and Mecklenburg counties. At KIPP NC, we are committed to improving the life outcomes of North Carolina’s children through the delivery of culturally relevant curricula that are grounded in research, and clearing the paths that our students choose to follow by ensuring that they have the roadmaps and guideposts they need to arrive at success - however they define it.

At KIPP, we recognize the dedication, expertise, and leadership of every team member—including those who work behind the scenes to make our mission possible. As the Controller, you will play a critical role in ensuring the financial health and sustainability of our organization. Your expertise in financial management, reporting, and compliance will help provide the stability and transparency needed to support our students, teachers, and schools.

We value and respect the talent and commitment of our staff. That’s why we offer competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and professional growth opportunities. As part of the KIPP Team and Family, you’ll have the support and resources to excel in your role and contribute to a future without limits for our students.

Shape the future with us—join KIPP North Carolina today.

Job Description

The Opportunity

The Controller will be responsible for the oversight of all accounting and reporting activities for KIPP NC’s Regional Support Team and schools and reports to the Chief Finance Officer (CFO). The Controller will lead the day-to-day accounting operations of KIPP NC with a total operating budget of approximately $50 million. The Controller has functional responsibility over all accounting operations, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and grants administration.

This is an ideal opportunity for a dynamic and visionary organizational leader to play a critical role in building and shaping a premier K-12 charter management organization committed to supporting all our students to graduate college and succeed in school and life.

Key Responsibilities

Team Development

• Helps to build a strong, cohesive Finance Team culture that reflects the core values of KIPP NC
• Serves as a thought leader on cross-team projects, and support KIPP NC’s innovation efforts
• Completes annual performance evaluations of all direct reports
  
  

Financial Leadership and Oversight

• Consistent with the organizational priorities, develops, analyzes, and makes recommendations relating to accounting and financial systems to ensure effective and efficient financial operations
• Oversees all accounts, ledgers, and reporting systems ensuring compliance with appropriate GAAP and/or GASB standards and regulatory requirements
• Oversees KIPP NC’s accounting functions to ensure proper maintenance of all accounting systems and functions to ensure fidelity of data and timely monthly and year-end reporting
• Participates in an organization-wide initiative to update all systems supporting all aspects of KIPP NC’s operations
• Analyzes financial data and presents financial reports in an accurate and timely manner, clearly communicates monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements; monitors progress and changes and keeps the Chief Financial Officer abreast of the organization’s financial status
• Oversees all program and grants accounting; ensures that expenditures are consistently aligned with grant and program budgets throughout the grant/fund period
• Oversees the payroll function and related systems
• Oversees the full coordination of all the audits and the gathering of required audit information, IRS Form 990 preparations, and filing activity
• Maintains continuous lines of communication and keeps the Chief Financial Officer informed of all accounting issues
• Together with the Finance Team, strives to obtain clean audits for all entities for each fiscal year
  
  

KIPP North Carolina Leadership

• Participates in KIPP NC Finance leadership team that oversees the strategy for all KIPP North Carolina financial programming
• Recommends to the KIPP NC Chief Financial Officer system-wide goals; monitors and reports back to the Chief Financial Officer on the progress toward achieving those goals
  
  

Qualifications

Qualifications

KIPP NC’s Controller candidates will have the following:

• A deep commitment to the mission of KIPP NC and an unwavering belief in the potential of all our students
• An unwavering commitment to anti-racism, equity, and inclusion
• A strong desire to collaborate with school leaders and Central Office teammates in service to a new KIPP region growing out of two exceptionally strong ones
• BA/BS degree in Accounting or related field
• Minimum of 7 years of experience, with at least 3 years in a management role; non-profit sector and/or audit experience preferred; experience in K-12 education preferred
• Active CPA license required
• Microsoft Excel skills required; Tableau preferred (or willingness to learn)
• Thorough understanding of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), as well as Governmental Accounting Standards (GAS) and Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) pronouncements
• Up-to-date on nonprofit expertise regarding audit best practices and state and federal law regarding nonprofit operations
• Knowledge of financial compliance and risk management including but not limited to statutory and regulatory requirements for nonprofit organizations
• Outstanding leadership and management skills, particularly as it relates to building teams, working through others, promoting collaboration, managing conflict, goal setting, and holding people accountable
• A strong writing ability
• An entrepreneurial spirit and demonstrated success in building a program, department or organization
• Ability to interact with a broad range of stakeholders with different interests and needs
• Possess a deep commitment to both racial equity and improving the lives of kids from low-income communities; experience working within predominantly Black, Brown, and/or low-income communities
• Understanding and willingness to work in both rural and urban communities, including exhibiting resourcefulness and willingness to travel up to five hours within North Carolina when needed. If working out of state, willing to travel to North Carolina multiple times per month, if needed.
• North Carolina resident preferred
  
  

Additional Information

Compensation and Benefits

• Salary Band 5 with competitive benefits: Salary range $100,000 - $122,000
• BlueCross Blue Shield North Carolina, medical, dental, vision, $1200 HRA
• Optional 403b
• 17 days PTO and 6 days sick leave
• 26 holidays each year including a week off for Fall Break, Spring Break, and 2 weeks off for Winter Break
  
  

Non-Discrimination Statement and Policy

KIPP North Carolina does not and shall not discriminate on the race, color, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital or parental status, disability, source of income, or status as a veteran in any of its activities or operations.