We’re Hiring!

October 17, 2024

Financial Controller

Background

The Puffin Foundation, Ltd. seeks a Financial Controller who shares our commitment to support artists and organizations doing meaningful work that aligns with our mission. Our grantees create cultural events and works of art and engage in educational and community outreach that addresses vital issues such as civil rights, social justice, economic justice, discrimination in its many forms and the climate crisis. We currently have an overall budget of about $5 million, which includes $1.5 million of traditional operating expenses, and we operate with about 10 employees.
The Controller, reporting to the President, is responsible for overseeing the Finances of the Foundation in creating and maintaining accurate and timely nonprofit financial reports for the organization through managing the general ledger, maintaining an accurate trial balance, preparing financial statements, management reports, and managing grants and contracts. The Controller will lead the day-to-day finance operations, compile financial statements and reports, implement policies and procedures, and perform the Foundation’s accounting functions. The Controller’s skills and participation will also be solicited and valued as an important contributor to select Puffin projects.

Application Process

Please email your resume directly to Kevin Kurtz () for consideration. Candidate qualifications will be reviewed and if selected for an interview candidates will be contacted directly by Kevin.

Core Responsibilities

• Manage Puffin’s financial affairs and compliance as well as provide organizational assistance in Foundation activities such as budgetary review of grant applications and other Puffin projects.
• Prepare timely internal and external financial reports as required; prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements.
• Lead the timely month-end closing process and work closely with Puffin’s Office Manager and Grant Manager to complete all general ledger postings. Post and reconcile all bank accounts, investment/ brokerage accounts, etc., and prepare related schedules and analyses.
• Manage day-to-day accounting operations including: cash management, cash flow, electronic cash transfers, reporting, forecasting, payroll, payables and fixed assets.
• Oversee the payroll process, manage, and maintain compliance with federal, state, and city regulations, filings, reporting requirements, and company policies; reconciliation of payroll related accounts and W-2 information.
• Assist with grant disbursement and contract management systems, track Grantee restricted funding, meet deadlines and compliance requirements, create reports for the Puffin Board including project budgets and reports, financial status reports, variance analysis, and grant closeout documents and any reports required for the Puffin management team.
• Prepare timely creation and analysis of organizational and budgets in consultation with the Puffin Board.
• Manage the annual close including the annual accounting and tax return preparation processes, produce reports, reconciliations, schedules, and other documents in a timely manner for the annual accounting.

• Prepare all schedules and assemble all documents required by our CPA firm for preparation of our annual not-for-profit tax returns, and if the need should ever arise for preparation of reviewed or audited financial statements and tax audits. In addition, the controller is expected to prepare any miscellaneous tax reports, such as the New Jersey Annual Report, Census Reports, and Unclaimed Property Tax Reports, etc.
• Support the Puffin Board in the creation, documentation, implementation, administration, and maintenance of accounting and business processes, and other related policies and procedures and monitoring of reporting and tracking systems.
• Leverage strengths of, coach, supervise, and provide leadership to the Puffin Board and Puffin Staff to maximize and reach optimal individual and organizational goals.

Qualifications/Education/Technical Acumen

• Minimum of five years’ accounting experience, preferably with at least two years not-for profit experience and or public interest organization experience and with at least 1 year in a leadership role
• Solid experience coordinating accounting activities and managing reporting, budget development,
• Cash flow management and analysis, of brokerage accounts, accounts payable, general ledger, and payroll
• Demonstrate the highest level of integrity and dependability with a solid work ethic and a solutions­ oriented approach
• Exceptional attention to detail is required; keen analytic, organization and problem-solving skills which allows for strategic data interpretation
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with others in a fast-paced environment
• Effective and polished verbal and written communication skills along with strong interpersonal skills
• A track record in grants management as it relates to compliance and reporting requirements for grants to individuals and organizations is beneficial.
• Possess superb organizational skills with the ability to effectively manage multiple projects and competing priorities
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting
• CPA a PLUS but not required
• Proficiency in nonprofit and fund accounting software, QuickBooks is preferred, as well as related software including: ADP Payroll, MS Office Suite Applications, and FileMaker. Knowledge of grant software is a plus.
• A good understanding of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles

Location/Work Schedule

The Puffin Foundation’s current office is located in Teaneck, NJ and a second office, which just opened, is located in Park Slope, Brooklyn, NY. The Controller position is considered a ‘full-time’ opportunity. The Controller is expected to work 28 hours per week, which includes 3 full days (24 hours per week) at the Brooklyn location. The assumption is that these three eight-hour days per week will be: Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. The additional 4 working hours (one–half day) can either be at a Puffin office or worked from home. Occasional change of workdays and/or work locations will be permitted and infrequent additional work from home days will also be considered. Once a month, Brooklyn Staff will spend an office day for the organization’s general meeting in-person at the Teaneck location.
The candidate will also be required to travel to the Atlanta, GA area for initial training. This would be for one 3-4 day trip during the first month of employment and one follow-up 3-4 day trip during the second month of employment

Compensation

Target annual compensation will be commensurate with experience and be based on the 28 hours per work week schedule. Target base salary compensation will be in the $80,000 to $90,000 range. Since this is a full-time position, in accordance with our staff manual, the controller will be eligible for company offered medical and other benefits.
In addition, The Puffin Foundation, Ltd. conducts an annual performance management process. As part of the annual performance management process candidates will be eligible for a merit increase along with a potential small discretionary bonus. Merit increases and discretionary bonuses are performance¬ based and economic conditions will also be considered