Assistant Controller

Location: New York Metropolitan Area; ability to work from our NYC office one day every two weeks

Priority Application Review Deadline: 4/19/2024

Relay Graduate School of Education (Relay) is an accredited not-for-profit institution of higher education serving thousands of educators from across the country, from pre-service teachers to system-level leaders. Our mission is to ensure that all students are taught by excellent educators, in order to build a more just world where every student has a clear path to a fulfilling life. 

The Assistant Controller (internal title: Managing Director, Accounting) is part of the Financial Control team at Relay and is responsible for the successful performance of the organization’s day-to-day accounting activities. Reporting to the Vice President, Financial Controller, this MD will oversee all operational aspects of Relay’s accounting, ensuring accurate record keeping and internal and external customer satisfaction. With a keen eye for systems and continual improvement, this person will play an integral role in ensuring Relay’s financial sustainability for years to come by building & maintaining strong financial systems and processes.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The essential responsibilities of this position, while not limited to the following, will include:

Team Management (30%)

• Set and implement the vision for the Accounting sub-team in alignment with the Financial Control team’s strategy of effective month-end and fiscal year-end financial procedures
• Manage direct reports to successfully drive towards team and individual goals including the operational aspects of accounts payable, credit card expenses, employee expense reimbursements, fixed assets, balance sheet and SOA accounts, and customer service
• Establish attainable and impactful goals & operating standards for self and sub-team aligned to the Financial Control team’s goals; implement the structures and culture to support the sub-team’s ability to meet or exceed goals
• Set a meeting structure (group & 1:1) across the sub-team that promotes continual improvement, accountability, innovation, and communication

Accounting Responsibilities (70%)

• Manage vision and execution of the sub-team’s monthly financial close process to ensure accurate and timely data entry into the general ledger system
• Monitor and manage Relay’s monthly cash flow to ensure liquidity and financial stability
• Establish vision and strategy for managing financial systems, banking interfaces, and other departmental systems to optimize their effectiveness and utilization
• Collaborate within Relay to streamline communication and implement systems that enhance billing efficiency, accurate revenue recognition, and facilitate prompt collection of receivables
• Sustain the integrity of financial results related to government contracts and grants, revenues, receivables, earned unbilled, and advances, and preparation of related standard journal entries and reconciliations
• Review grant agreements for the institution to ensure clarity for proper accounting treatment before finalization 
• Establish and implement procedures to monitor and improve existing accounting policies to support Relay’s compliance
• Act as the day-to-day liaison between Relay and the audit firm; manage the day-to-day work on the preparation of audit packages
• Prepare financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) for not-for-profit organizations, internal reporting and analysis, and mandated federal, state and other financial reports

QUALIFICATIONS

First and foremost, the Managing Director, Accounting must share the Relay community’s commitment to working together to improve student growth and achievement through phenomenal teacher preparation grounded in diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism. This includes providing teacher preparation programs that set novice teachers up to succeed in the classroom from day one; leadership programs that train new and veteran school and district leaders to best serve their school communities; and teacher-facing professional education that provides ongoing learning to educators. Additionally, for this position we’re looking for candidates that possess a combination of the following skills:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Accounting required
• CPA license or in the process of pursuing such credentials, strongly preferred.
• Preferred 5+ years of audit experience in public accounting in audits of NFP and Higher Ed Organizations, or a combination of 3+ years of audit experience and 3+ years of accounting management in the private NFP sector
• Ability to work from the NYC office one day every two weeks
• Experience in motivating and leading a team of accounting professionals
• Demonstrated understanding of revenue streams and financial statement line items relevant to higher education institutions
• Strong problem solving and critical thinking skills paired with an innovative mind-set and eye for continuous improvement

Relay prepares teachers and school leaders to teach students of all identities and backgrounds in order to push toward a time when this country no longer faces stark educational inequities. We recruit, develop, support, and retain a diverse staff, faculty, and graduate student body because we are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and actively anti-racist institution. We know, and the data supports, that diversity, equity, and inclusion cultivate an environment in which people of all backgrounds can thrive and this is critical to achieving our mission of educational excellence and equity.

To fulfill that commitment, Relay encourages applicants of all backgrounds and identities to apply for roles that align with their own interests and career trajectory. If you meet a majority of the qualifications and see yourself in this role, we would love to see your application!

COMPENSATION

Relay is committed to creating and maintaining a compensation and benefits system that supports our ability to recruit and retain a diverse and talented team. As we make decisions about compensation, we will be guided by the following values: clarity, consistency, and internal equity. The salary range for this role is $115,830-167,954. New hires will be offered a salary at the starting point of the range, $115,830 to allow for an equitable starting salary process and continual salary growth during an employee’s time at Relay GSE.

To ensure internal pay equity:

• Relay does not currently differentiate starting salary offers based on years of experience,
• All staff salaries will be capped at the salary range maximum, and
• Relay does not negotiate salary offers.

Relay offers a comprehensive total rewards package. For full-time roles, this includes health insurance benefits, disability and life insurance, retirement plan, professional development, gym reimbursement, adoption assistance, paid time off (PTO), parental leave, etc. To learn more about Relay’s benefits, please visit here.   

WORK LOCATION POLICY

Employees must have a primary work location within the U.S., where they are legally authorized to work. Relay is a registered employer in the following states: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington State and Washington DC. Please note that Relay Graduate School of Education's headquarters are in New York City. Employees who choose to perform work from states not listed here will be subject to NYC state withholdings.

COVID-19 VACCINATION POLICY

Relay highly encourages all employees to be fully vaccinated with an FDA or WHO authorized vaccine. Relay abides by each state’s requirements, and acknowledges those may change over time. If moved forward to the phone screen stage, you will have the chance to ask your recruiter more about this policy. 

Relay Graduate School of Education provides equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees.