Job Title: Controller
Classification & FLSA Status: Full time | Exempt
Salary: Competitive Salary
Reports To: Executive Director
Department: Finance Department
Location: Telecommute currently offered with transition to CARECEN’s Los Angeles office
Job Summary
Central American Resource Center (CARECEN) is seeking to hire a full-time, bilingual (English/Spanish), experienced Controller in our Los Angeles office to work with the Executive Director and Finance team to plan, direct and supervise the organization’s financial affairs that include reporting, tax compliance, cost accounting and planning.
The Controller must have a mission-driven approach to financial strategy.
Organizational Background
Since its founding in 1983, CARECEN has been working to change an unjust immigration system, win legal status for immigrants, and foster community activism on issues such as education reform, workers’ and immigrants’ rights, economic justice and community strengthening.
CARECEN is the largest Central American immigrant rights organization in the country.
Our mission is to empower Central Americans and all immigrants by defending human and civil rights, working for social and economic justice, and promoting cultural diversity.
We envision Los Angeles becoming a place where Central Americans and all other communities live in peace and dignity, enjoying economic well-being, social justice, and political empowerment.
Job Responsibilities/Essential Functions (Other duties may be assigned by Executive Director)
Administers and maintains all organizational financial records including books of original entry, supporting schedules and subsidiary ledgers.
Continually evaluates established financial/accounting policies and procedures and makes recommendations for updates or modifications as necessary.
Collects and analyzes financial data to provide management with internal reports.
Provides for an annual budgeting and planning process to insure long term financial sustainability.
Supports all levels of the organization in budget preparation through training and by providing relevant information when appropriate.
Establishes and maintains cost allocation policies for the organization.
Attends, participates and provides special reporting and analysis of financial information to Board management and finance committee meetings as appropriate.
Establishes procedures for reviewing and approving budgeted expenditure justifications and approvals.
Administer accounting information system to track specific operational and financial data.
Works to implement and update systems, including payroll, fixed asset management, expense management, and cash management, among others.
Cooperates with and assists external auditors as appropriate
Performs other related duties as assigned.
Supervisory Responsibilities
Develops and maintains an effective team through the selection, training, provides direction, professional development as well as planning, assigning and directing work; addressing complaints, and resolving problems, evaluating and disciplining up to termination.
Develops and maintains a program for sound employee relations with all finance employees.
The position supervises the Finance team
Administers the activities of the general accounting, finance and business planning projects and teams.
Our Ideal Candidate will have the following qualifications/skills
Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance or business administration is required.
Master’s degree preferred.
Active CPA and/or CMA certification required.
Five to eight years non-profit experience strongly preferred.
Five to eight years of experience in managing high performance team, preferred.
The controller oversees all aspects of CARECEN’s financial/accounting functions.
For example, responsible for planning, budgeting, directing ledger accounts, and financial statements and cost control systems.
Ensure financial/accounting records and reporting comply with government regulations.
Responsible for preparing and submitting invoices and reimbursement requests on a regular basis.
Experience with organization, systems development and training.
Effective mediation and negotiation skills.
Ability to problem solving and find suitable solutions to immediate challenges.
Manage the financial compliance of CARECEN as 501 (C) 3 organizations.
Necessary knowledge and understanding of relevant accounting, tax and compliance rules and regulations for 501 (C) 3.
Prepares and monitors the organization’s budgets and internal systems via Microsoft excel and QuickBooks among others.
Ability to effectively communicate financial issues and concepts to both financially minded persons and all others within and external to CARECEN.
Ability to work both independently and in a team environment.
Ability to supervise others, set departmental and organizational goals, support and evaluate colleagues and reports, and maintain high morale and productivity.
In collaboration with the development department staff, monitors grant invoicing and receivables, communication with funders as needed.
Ensures effective financial internal controls for the department
Detail-oriented with a demonstrated ability to work effectively with outside financial concerns such as banks, lending institutions and contributors.
Strong organizational and project management skills, with proven track record of executing key initiatives.
Strong skills in time-management and attention to detail is required.
Ensures that external document submission and filings are accurate and timely.
A reputation for maintaining high personal standards of integrity, professionalism and confidentiality.
Ability to pass a non-profit accounting test during the interview process.
Spanish fluency preferred.
Passion for CARECEN’s mission.
Education/Experience
Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance or business is required.
Significant prior experience (five to eight years) with non-profit accounting, management of federal awards and administration of grant cost allocation procedures is preferred.
Active CPA and/or CMA certification required.
Salary
Competitive Salary
Classification and Work Schedule
This is a full-time, exempt position.
Office hours of operation are 9:00am to 5:00pm, Monday – Friday, with flexibility required based on the needs of the organization.
Exempt employees do not receive overtime compensation, compensatory time off, or additional compensation beyond the salary assigned to the position.
Office is located at CARECEN’s central Los Angeles headquarters.
Work Environment & Physical Demands
This position operates in a professional office environment.
The position requires the ability to lift files, open filing cabinets and bend or stand as necessary.
Telecommute is currently offered, with transition at the CARECEN Los Angeles office.
Work is performed in a variety of work settings, including CARECEN’s offices, workspace provided by other nonprofits, libraries and government facilities, among others.
Travel Requirements
Ability to travel to different CARECEN offices and offsite locations.
Some travel may be required.
Mileage reimbursement is available.
The ability to drive with a valid CA license and a registered vehicle is preferred.
Benefits
CARECEN offers a generous health insurance package that has medical, vision, dental, life insurance and Flexible Spending Account (FSA).
Supplemental insurance and a 403(b) retirement savings plan are also available.
Paid time off is also provided along with 11 paid holidays.
To Apply
Candidates are encouraged to apply immediately.
Please email cover letter, resume and three references to Marlon Fuentes at mfuentes @ carecen-la.org.
Only those applicants selected for interviews will be contacted.
No soliciting inquiries.
CARECEN is an Equal Opportunity Employer
All qualified applicants shall receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ethnic group identification, ancestry, sex, age, marital status, political affiliation, condition of physical or mental disability, or sexual orientation, in accordance with requirements of Federal and State laws.
Job Type: Full-time
Benefits:
Dental insurance
Employee assistance program
Flexible spending account
Health insurance
Life insurance
Paid time off
Vision insurance
Schedule:
Monday to Friday
Ability to Commute/Relocate:
Los Angeles, CA 90005: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Preferred)
Education:
Bachelor’s (Required)
Experience:
controller: 5 years (Required)
Non-profit accounting: 5 years (Required)
Language:
Spanish (Preferred)
License/Certification:
CPA or CMA (Required)
Work Location:
One location
Work Remotely:
Temporarily due to COVID-19