Riverdale Country School is a Pre-K through grade 12 independent school in New York City committed to empowering lifelong learners by developing minds, building character, and creating community in order to change our world for the good. A school at the forefront of educational innovation, Riverdale Country School has become a global leader in practices such as interdisciplinary and experiential learning, character education, positive education, and design-thinking in schools, asking fundamental questions about education and its purposes.
Riverdale Country School seeks a Controller to lead and strengthen its accounting and financial reporting operations. The Controller will oversee all financial systems and will serve as a strategic and hands-on leader responsible for ensuring the integrity, accuracy, and efficiency of Riverdale’s financial operations, including compliance with GAAP, internal controls, and process improvements. The Controller will manage all accounting functions, including: accounts payable, accounts receivable, general ledger, and cash management, and partner closely with senior administrators to provide timely, transparent financial insights.
A key member of the school’s finance leadership team, the Controller will collaborate closely with the Assistant Head of School for Strategy and Operations, the Fractional CFO, the Board’s Finance and Audit Committees, and other school leaders. Beyond technical expertise, this leader will model Riverdale’s collaborative and learning-oriented culture, leading with transparency, communication, and inclusivity.
The ideal candidate will thrive in a community that honors tradition while embracing innovation and will bring a deep commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Through sound fiscal stewardship, deep collaboration, and values-driven leadership, the Controller will play a critical role in advancing Riverdale’s mission.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Accounting and Financial Operations
Oversee all accounting operations, including accounts payable, receivable, general ledger, and cash management, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and alignment with GAAP
Improve the preparation of timely, audit-ready financial statements, budgets, and forecasts; establish a consistent monthly and quarterly close rhythm that provides leadership and the Board with real-time insight
Strengthen financial systems and internal controls, accounting policies, and compliance systems that safeguard assets and ensure adherence to all regulatory requirements
Proactively identify and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency, financial accountability, and risk management across the organization
In partnership with the Assistant Head of School for Strategy and Operation, co-lead the modernization of financial systems by automating high-volume workflows, improving data integrations, and ensuring tools meet Riverdale’s operational needs across both campuses
Manage annual audits and maintain strong, transparent relationships with external auditors
People Leadership and Development
Lead, coach, and develop a team of 5 accounting professionals, fostering a culture of accountability, learning, and shared success
Clearly communicate goals and expectations, delegate effectively, and ensure team members are empowered and supported to deliver high-quality results
Cultivate an inclusive and collaborative culture that values open communication, trust, and mutual respect and one that invests in the professional development of the finance team.
Strategic Communication and Cross-Team Collaboration
In partnership with the Head of School and the Assistant Head of School for Strategy and Operations, serve as a financial point of contact, communicating complex financial information clearly and confidently to a wide range of stakeholders
Build strong, collegial relationships across departments, offering guidance that integrates financial insight with mission-driven decision-making
Listen actively and engage thoughtfully with peers and leaders, ensuring financial perspectives are understood and aligned with institutional priorities
Closely work with the Assistant Head of School for Strategy and Operation and other key stakeholders to identify and implement opportunities that enhance operational efficiency and long-term sustainability
Who You’ll Work With
You will report to the Assistant Head of School for Strategy and Operations.
You will supervise a team of five to seven accounting professionals.
You will frequently collaborate with the fractional CFO, school leaders, and the Board of Trustees.
Compensation
The compensation range for this role will be $200K-$220K, with the final offer depending on the candidate's experience and alignment with the key skills required for the Controller position.
Additional Details
The Controller position is based in Riverdale, The Bronx, New York and will require on-campus presence 5 days a week.
Benefits
Working at Riverdale Country School is a purposeful and meaningful career choice that comes with many benefits. You can learn more about our generous and comprehensive range of benefits at:https://www.riverdale.edu/riverdale-careers/benefits/.
Riverdale offers and subsidizes health, dental, and vision insurance. In addition, the school offers a flexible spending account through which employees can use pre-tax dollars to pay for health-related expenses.
Employees are eligible to join our Defined Contribution retirement plan through TIAA. The school contributes 7% of an employee's annual salary to their retirement account.
Riverdale Country School has a generous time-off policy for staff in addition to vacations afforded by the school calendar.
A generous professional development budget provides for conferences, skills training, and onsite training in areas such as mindfulness, coaching, and diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
Equity at Riverdale Country School
Riverdale Country School seeks diversity in its faculty, staff, and student body. In admission and employment policies and practices, in financial aid and loan programs, and in all its educational programs, Riverdale does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national and ethnic origin, disability, sexual orientation, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, and any other protected categories under applicable law.
It is the policy of Riverdale Country School to provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, national and ethnic origin, citizenship, marital status, disability, military status, or any other basis protected by applicable law to all qualified employees and applicants for employment.
On-Ramps is committed to the inclusion of all qualified individuals in the hiring process, including but not limited to those with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodation(s) to participate in the application or interview process, please contact info@on-ramps.com.
Required Skills and Experience
10+ years of accounting and financial management experience ideally in organizations with budgets of $50M-$100M or multi-entity structures
Brings deep technical expertise in GAAP, audit readiness, and financial reporting with a proven ability to build disciplined monthly and quarterly close processes and ensure compliance with regulations; those with Big 4 accounting experience highly preferred
Has a track record of optimizing financial systems and processes, including strengthening internal controls, improving data quality, and reporting efficiency; experience with platforms like Veracross and ADP ideal
Strong people coach, mentor, and leader with the ability to assess existing talent and build teams while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continued development
A strategic partnership orientation, serving as a trusted advisory and thought partner to senior leaders capable ot turning data into insights that can inform strategic decision making
Exceptional analytical and communication skills with the ability to translate complex financial data across a wide array of stakeholders
Experience engaging with governing boards or finance committees in settings that demand high accountability, rigor, and professional credibility
High standards of judgment, integrity, and discretion, with the capacity to manage change effectively and lead through influence
Demonstrated commitment to Riverdale’s mission and values, connecting fiscal responsibility to educational excellence, community stewardship, and long-term institutional health
A Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field; CPA strongly preferred
