Lowell School, a progressive school with 315 students located on an idyllic campus adjoining Rock Creek Park in NW Washington, DC, seeks a full-time Controller. The successful candidate will be well versed in nonprofit accounting,  detail-oriented, strategic, and mission-driven. Reporting to the Director of Finance and operations, the Controller will oversee daily financial operations, managing a $22M annual budget and $48M in assets. The Controller will oversee all aspects of financial management, including budgeting, reporting, endowment accounting, and compliance, to ensure the school’s fiscal health and long-term sustainability. This role is ideal for a finance professional who is passionate about education and excited to contribute to a vibrant community.

Qualifications: 

• CPA with a bachelor’s degree in accounting with a minimum of 5-7 years’ experience in non-profit accounting, including managerial experience. 
• Accounting generalist experience with at least five years at senior management level. 
• A working knowledge of non-profit accounting is essential. Experience in independent schools is preferred.
• Experience identifying, implementing, and employing appropriate technology across the responsibilities of the position.
• Experience processing and evaluating confidential financial records.
• Experience developing and delivering accurate, timely, and useful financial reports. 
• Experience using Google, Microsoft Office Suite, QuickBooks, Financial Edge, Blackbaud, CampBrain.

Major Responsibilities:

• Maintaining internal controls to safeguard assets and ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Maintaining records for all bank and investment accounts.
• Maintaining the general ledger, ensuring accuracy and completeness of all financial and accounting data.
• Maintaining fixed asset ledgers and capitalized acquisitions, recording depreciation and disposals.
• Maintaining recurring accounting processes for accounts payable, accounts receivable, and payroll.
• Reconciling all bank and income statements.
• Recording month-end journal entries.
• Reconciling liability accounts.
• Recording and reconciling gifts and pledges from the Development office.
• Timely monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting to all budget managers.
• Calculating, recording, and tracking all transactions related to debt payments.
• Calculating, recording, and tracking all transactions related to endowment accounts.
• Monthly reporting of all pertinent and requested financial data to board, administration, departments, and credit card holders.  
• Generating invoices for, and managing, tuition receivables and employee receivables.
• Downloading and verifying automated tuition payments.
• Reconciling accounts receivable from Auxiliary Programs.
• Downloading and verifying payroll journal entries.
• Filing sales and use tax applications and reports, and preparing 1099’s.
• Managing the annual financial audit, form 990 preparation, insurance audit, and benefits audit.
• Assisting the Director of Finance and Operations in preparing and monitoring budgets.
• Preparing data for periodic surveys for the school’s trade organizations (i.e. AIMS, NAIS, NBOA).
• Managing banking relationships for operating funds, loans, and credit cards.
• Maintaining a documented system of accounting policies and procedures. 
• Maintaining a system of controls over accounting transactions to minimize risk.
• Assisting in design and/or implementation of Business Office projects.
• Collaborating with and educating department heads to ensure efficient transfer of data between databases.
• Identifying opportunities for cost savings and operational efficiencies.
• Participating in long-term financial planning to ensure the sustainability of the school’s mission.
• Attending and participating in school activities and showing positive support for employees and the School.
• Providing detailed financial analysis and supplemental reports to explain variances vs budget and forecasts to school leadership.
• Developing and maintaining internal control policies and procedures to ensure financial accuracy and protect company assets.
• Share in duties outside of the business office that support operation of school programs.

Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to: 

• Spend prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Use hands to finger, handle, or feel. 
• Hear and speak to exchange information in person or on the telephone. 
• See, including close vision, and ability to adjust focus, to read materials and operate equipment. 
• Stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms for extended periods of time. 
• Access all areas of campus and buildings.
• Access and navigate each department at the school’s facilities.
• Climb, balance, stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, crawl, twist, turn, sit, or lie down. 
• Lift, pull, push, haul, or drag items weighing up to 30 pounds. 
• Work in inclement weather. 
• Tolerate occasional noisy indoor work environments. 
• Tolerate temperature fluctuations throughout the school campus, indoors and out. 
• Tolerate interruptions. 
• Accommodate the workflow and schedule of others.
• Work variable hours, including evenings and weekends, and work remotely.

Candidates interested in applying should email a cover letter, resume, and 2 to 3 letters of reference to the attention of Chris Ginter, Director of Finance and Operations, at employment@lowellschool.org. Please include the position title in the subject line. 

The Expected Salary Range:  $110,000 - $130,000.

Lowell School offers a comprehensive compensation and benefits package. Lowell is an equal opportunity employer. Lowell complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding recruitment and hiring. All qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship status, disability, protected veteran status, or any other category protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform a certain duty of the job.

About LOWELL SCHOOL

Our mission is to create an inclusive community of life-long learners in which individual is valued and respected. At Lowell, dedicated teachers nurture curiosity and help children develop fundamental skills and deep, conceptual understandings that will last a lifetime. In the Pre-Primary School, opportunities abound for exploration, discovery, and learning. Teachers pay close attention to each child’s social, emotional, and academic development. In the Primary and Middle Schools, a rigorous, integrated curriculum—which includes the full complement of academic classes, as well as arts, technology, and physical education—engages students in active, experiential learning. A strong social curriculum develops interpersonal skills, multicultural understanding, and community engagement. A full array of after-school activities—including sports, swimming lessons, music lessons, and minicourses—are also available for all enrolled students.

Connections working at LOWELL SCHOOL