Controller - Gloucester, MA

At Pathways for Children, we nurture young children and support families impacted by economic and social inequity through programs that educate, enrich, empower, and inspire
. Every role within our organization contributes to advancing this mission, and we are seeking an experienced and mission-aligned Controller to join our team in Gloucester.

Reporting to the Director of Finance, the Controller serves as a key member of the Finance leadership team and plays an integral role in advancing the organization's financial health, operational excellence, and long-term sustainability. This position combines hands‑on accounting leadership with opportunities to contribute to strategic financial planning, process improvement, organizational decision-making, and department development.

The Controller provides leadership and oversight of the organization's accounting and financial operations, ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and transparency of financial information. This position is responsible for maintaining strong internal controls, supporting grant compliance, producing timely financial reporting, and driving efficient accounting processes that support informed decision-making across the organization.

The Controller oversees all core accounting functions, including general ledger management, accounts payable, payroll oversight, billing, reconciliations, grant accounting, and month‑end and year‑end close activities. The successful candidate will bring a high degree of accuracy, accountability, analytical rigor, and leadership potential to the role.

We are seeking a finance professional who is excited not only by strong accounting practices, but also by the opportunity to help shape systems, strengthen organizational performance, mentor staff, and assume increasing leadership responsibilities over time.

The ideal candidate approaches financial management with curiosity, attention to detail, and a continuous improvement mindset. They are skilled at identifying trends, mitigating risks, uncovering opportunities, and translating financial information into actionable insights that support organizational leaders in advancing Pathways’ mission.

35 Hours per week

Location: Gloucester, MA

Rate: $75,

• Manage daily accounting operations, including general ledger maintenance, account reconciliations, and supporting documentation.
• Oversee accounts payable, accounts receivable, billing, cash receipts, and payroll processing completed by the Accounting Assistant.
• Maintain and strengthen internal controls, financial policies, and accounting procedures to support organizational growth and compliance.

• Partner with the Director of Finance on budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management, financial modeling, and long‑range financial planning initiatives.
• Provide financial analysis and recommendations that support strategic decision‑making
• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements.
• Lead and manage the annual financial statement audit from planning through completion.
• Develop regular management reports for leadership and Board of Directors review.

• Manage accounting and fiscal compliance for Development Department fundraising and private grant awards, including restricted gifts.
• Manage accounting for federal and state grants and contracts, including all billing, compliance, and reporting requirements.
• Monitor grant performance and support program leaders in understanding financial results and requirements.

• Serve as a key thought partner to the Director of Finance in shaping the future direction of the Finance Department.
• Support the development, training, and mentoring of finance staff.
• Identify opportunities to improve financial systems, reporting capabilities, workflow efficiency, and organizational effectiveness.
• Participate in organization‑wide initiatives and cross‑functional projects that advance Pathways’ strategic goals.
• Demonstrate readiness to assume expanded leadership responsibilities as the organization and Finance Department continue to…