Controller

Company Overview

Worksystems, Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that pursues and invests resources to improve the quality of the workforce and the lives of workers in the city of Portland, and Multnomah and Washington counties. Our mission is to coordinate a regional workforce system that supports individual prosperity and business competitiveness. We are the area’s most effective means of connecting workforce development funding with the community-based organizations best-positioned to make the most out of it. Worksystems brings together good-faith actors – direct-service providers, government agencies, private-sector enterprises, and community nonprofits – to work toward something that makes us all proud: a closer-knit, more prosperous, more equitable metro region.

Worksystems is committed to promoting and supporting Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in all aspects of our internal and external work. JEDI values are embedded across our internal HR policies and practices, as well as a core indicator of success metrics in our Strategic Plan. Our team is dedicated to increasing our individual awareness, creating more equitable and inclusive spaces for our employees, partners, and jobseekers, and combatting systems of oppression.

About the Position

The Controller reports directly to the Chief Financial Officer and works closely with leaders at the organization, Fiscal team members, and interacts with the Board of Directors. The Controller’s main priorities are overseeing daily accounting operations and reporting activities, including reviewing transactions and reports prepared by staff and participating in basic accounting operations and reporting. The Controller is an individual contributor role and does not have any people management responsibilities; however, the Controller does mentor and coach Senior Accountants and Accountants on the Fiscal Team. The Controller also serves in a strategic capacity, and as a thought partner to the CFO in identifying and implementing improvements to processes and procedures. 

Job Duties:

• Monitor and perform day-to-day accounting activities, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash receipts, payroll, and general ledger, ensuring compliance with GAAP and regulatory requirements.
• Monitor monthly and annual accounting closing processes.
• Review accounting transactions prepared by the fiscal staff, including journal entries, accounts payable, billing, and accounts receivable.
• Perform weekly check-run review and bank file processing.
• Perform semi-monthly payroll processing review.
• Serve as payroll processing back up.
• Monitor accounts receivable to ensure timely collection of outstanding balances.
• Ensure periodic balance sheet account reconciliations are completed by the assigned fiscal staff.
• Monitor grant and cost center accounting, ensure that expenditures are aligned with grant budgets and allowability.
• Review reporting of grants and projects prepared by fiscal staff, including quarterly reports to funders.
• Review grant proposals and agreements for fiscal accuracy and compliance.
• Maintain grant files, complete grant fiscal reviews, coordinate with program and compliance teams grant reviews and communicate grant review summaries to all interested parties.
• Develop financial reports and analyses to meet reporting requirements to funders, managers, program staff, and others. Work with program managers to prepare fiscal plans, forecasts, and reports of revenue and expenditures.
• Review, amend, and/or develop cost allocation proposals consistent with regulations and GAAP.
• Assist CFO with annual subrecipient fiscal monitoring planning.
• Support CFO to achieve the success and progress indicators of the fiscal team’s two-year operating plan to support the organization-wide strategic plan
• Work with program staff to monitor contractors’ performance. Integrate grant and contractor monitoring with primary fiscal reporting systems, including the general ledger.
• Maintain all segments and elements of the general ledger chart of accounts in the accounting system.
• Assist CFO with budget development and review, including revisions due to changes in funding and contract expense.
• Coordinate the assignment, collection, and assembly of data for the annual financial statement and Uniform Grant Guidance audits.
• Coordinate the assignment, collection, and assembly of data for all external monitoring.
• Prepare special reports, answer questions, and provide advice on procedures and the legality and propriety of expenditures which may involve searching for and abstracting technical data, policies, procedures, and federal and state regulations.
• Participate in special projects and compile special reports as needed.
• Participate in fiscal/program interdisciplinary team meetings.
• Assure the timely and accurate reporting of information involving a wide variety of accounts and transactions.
• Plan and organize work activities of personnel as directed, and train as necessary.
• Working with the CFO, identify and analyze opportunities for improvements in systems and processes within the department.  Make changes in accounting systems and procedures within scope of authority.
• Maintain documentation of procedures and processes within the department.
• Create and promote a positive work environment.
• Serve as backup to the CFO when necessary.
• Other duties as assigned.

What You Can Expect to Accomplish in the First 6 Months:

• Shadow the exiting Controller to learn Worksystems-specific processes, systems, and procedures.
• Build rapport with the Senior Accountants and Accountant on the fiscal team. Offer mentoring, coaching, or development opportunities when appropriate.
• Participate in Blackbaud online courses.
• Participate in WorkforceGPS SMART 4.0 training as needed.
• Assume a leadership role in the annual audit, helping to delegate tasks and ensure deadlines are met.
• Serve on the project team to finalize GL transition.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• Multiple years of hands-on accounting experience at the Senior Accountant level or higher, at least some of which have been in the management of a complex fund accounting system.
• Thorough knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and accounting systems and procedures; business office management including application and use of standard office equipment; cost accounting principles and systems; general laws and rules regulating and influencing fiscal operations.  Familiarity or experience with the provisions of the Federal Uniform Grant Guidance at 2 CFR 200 is highly desirable.
• Ability to establish and meet designated timelines, proficiency in principles of project management.
• Work independently and as a team player.
• Excellent accounting software skills and expertise with Microsoft Office software and programs; familiarity with Blackbaud Financial Edge NXTis desirable. 

Preferred qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in accounting, finance, or related majors are preferred, but not required.
• Prior experience in a Senior Accountant or Controller role
• CPA certification is preferred but not required.

*A note on qualifications: Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they are able to perform every task in the job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job and will consider any equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education and experience to meet minimum qualifications. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role. 

Physical and Sensory Requirements

• Mostly sedentary work; using standard office equipment including: a computer, keyboard, and telephone. 
• Work environment: Hybrid. The Controller is required to be in office once a week on Tuesdays for check run; they are welcome to work-from-home all other days but may be called into the downtown office or to a partner site as needed.
• Position requires occasional local travel within the Multnomah and Washington counties.
• Be accessible during standard business hours ~9am - 5pm PT

Reasonable Accommodations are available, including, but not limited to, for disabled veterans, individuals with disabilities, and individuals with sincerely held religious beliefs, in all phases of the application and employment process. To request an accommodation please email [email protected].

Note:  Worksystems employees must live in the state of Oregon or Washington for payroll processing purposes.  Although we operate in a hybrid work environment, proximity to the Portland Metro Area is needed for this role.  Employees may have to attend in-person meetings in the Portland Metro Area.  Sometimes with same-day notice.

Benefits

Salary & Benefits

• Starting Salary Expectations: $100,000 - $115,000 (New hires will generally not exceed this range, based on experience and internal equity).
• Medical (including vision) and dental plans with employer contribution toward monthly premiums
• 401k plan with up to 6% match, 100% vested at the time of enrollment
• Generous PTO
• 4 hours of Volunteer Leave per month
• 8 free sessions with mental health providers, unlimited free financial coaching, and 25% legal discounts through Canopy EAP

Application Timeline: First review of resume’s will be Friday, August 2, 2024. After this date, applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Position open until filled.