Walnut Hill School for the Arts has an immediate opening for a Controller to join the Business Office at a warm and welcoming independent boarding school in Natick, MA. 

The Controller is an integral member of the Business Office, responsible for processing payroll through ADP, ensuring accuracy and integrity of the general ledger, preparing for and managing the annual audit, and assisting in the preparation and analysis of all financial reports. The Controller ensures that all processes and functions feeding the general ledger operate smoothly and with optimal internal controls and segregation of duties appropriate for the size and complexity of Walnut Hill.

Reporting directly to the CFOO, the Controller is also responsible for recommending and administering all accounting policies and procedures, insuring that strong internal controls and effective transaction processing routines protect the assets of the school, and result in meaningful, timely and accurate financial reporting.

Responsibilities:

Financial Operations & Reporting:

• Full responsibility for general ledger, including month-end close and annual audits;
• Ensure accurate and timely financial information and reporting, including all financial statements, cash and variance analyses, and dashboard reports;
• Prepare, post, and reconcile all investment activity and related accounting entries, and prepare all associated spreadsheets and analyses;
• Review, post, and reconcile all cash, stock, and in-kind gifts from the Development Office;
• Ensure accurate and appropriate coding and/or approval of all revenue, expenditure, and journal transactions to their appropriate accounts, including unrestricted, temporarily restricted, and permanently restricted funds; coordinate with the Development Office to prepare annual stewardship reports for all endowed funds;
• Maintain an accurate and appropriate general ledger chart of accounts;
• Calculate and appropriately allocate internal department charges (e.g., transportation, food, benefits); 
• Analyze and work with appropriate department heads and administrators for auxiliary programs to ensure profitability and effectiveness; 
• Resolve any reporting issues with the IRS and other Federal and State regulatory agencies;
• Cross-train on finance functions including AP/AR, budgeting, and student billing;
• Provide support in the hiring, training, and review of accounting department staff; and
•  Assist the CFOO in the preparation and monitoring of monthly departmental budget reports and forecasts, working with administrators and department chairs regarding budget performance; provide support to CFOO for Finance Committee, Audit Committee, and/or other Board-related meetings.

Audit, Compliance, and Controls:

• Plan, coordinate, and prepare for the School’s annual financial audits, including finance and health and welfare plans, the annual IRS Forms 990 and 5500, and other state and local informational returns; 
• Ensure compliance with all internal controls and accounting procedures;  
• Actively stay current on new regulations in GAAP and relevant non-profit accounting issues;
• Prepare, review, and/or file forms, including but not limited to, annual IRS Form 5500s, annual excise tax report, annual 1099 forms, charitable organization registration form, property tax exemption, and unclaimed property tax return; 
• Complete compliance reporting including 1095, workers' compensation, and BLS reports; prepare all periodic surveys and compliance reports for various school industry organizations (e.g. NAIS, NBOA, AISNE, GBIS, Commonfund, etc.) as well as other internal and external requests for financial data as appropriate;
• Maintain all general and permanent records and office files for the School;
• Communicate accounting policies to employees and ensure compliance with such policies;
• Identify and recommend process or customer service improvements and ensure adherence to industry best practices; 
• Remain aware and current of independent school industry trends and activities; and 
• Learn and reproduce current processes and recommend best practices to streamline Business Office and School procedures.

Payroll & Benefits Administration

• Process bi-weekly and semi-monthly payroll through ADP for approximately 150+ employees; manage all tax accounting, ACA, benefits, and other payroll functions; review and maintain all payroll reporting and recordkeeping; document procedures and cross train other members of the Business Office;
• Collaborate with Human Resources on benefits administration including reconciling carrier invoices and ensuring proper funding for medical insurance, TIAA retirement contributions, and GTL/LTD insurance; 
• Assist with running annual Open Enrollment processing through ADP.

Qualifications: 

The Controller is a proactive team-player, with excellent written and verbal communication skills, exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail, the ability to work independently and efficiently, and is highly collaborative. This position also has strong customer service skills with the ability to provide a welcoming Business Office environment. The ideal candidate will be a CPA with a bachelor’s degree or equivalent in accounting with a minimum of 5-7 years’ expertise in non-profit accounting, ideally in an independent school or higher education setting.

Highest regard for confidentiality and exemplary ethical standards is necessary, as well as the ability to manage multiple tasks and projects under the pressure of deadlines. Experience and comfort working with Google Workspace, Excel, Microsoft Office, and other computerized accounting systems and databases is critical.

This is a 12-month, exempt, benefits-eligible position reporting to the Chief Financial & Operating Officer. 

All Walnut Hill faculty/staff are active and engaged members of the school community who are committed to collaborating and growing in their field, participating in school events and supporting students in their arts, supporting other faculty/staff members, and who have the ability to self-reflect on their own practice.

About Walnut Hill School for the Arts

Walnut Hill School for the Arts, located in Natick Massachusetts and 20 minutes from Boston, is an independent boarding and day high school offering a transformational educational experience designed for student artists in grades 9–post graduate. Walnut Hill combines a comprehensive college-preparatory academic curriculum with intensive, pre-professional artistic training in theatre, dance, music, visual art, and writing, film & media arts. The school’s expert faculty works with students in their respective majors to strengthen their talents, foster their creativity, and stimulate their intellectual curiosity. Walnut Hill School is the only independent arts high school on the East Coast.

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