Controller, Accounting, Accounts Receivable​/ Collections

OVERVIEW

Cistercian Preparatory School (Cistercian) is an independent Catholic preparatory school near Dallas, Texas, educating boys grades 5-12 through an all-honors curriculum. Enrollment is 358 students on average. Cistercian is rooted in the life and spirit of Catholic monasticism. It offers talented and motivated young men challenging programs within a supportive community, allowing them to develop their strengths and face their weaknesses in preparation for college and life beyond, all for the good of the whole person in service to God and neighbor.

The Controller is the individual primarily responsible for maintaining accurate financial records and supporting the day-to-day accounting and financial operations of the School. This position performs general ledger accounting, cash management, bank reconciliations, accounts payable support, tuition and student-accounting functions, gift and development accounting, financial reporting, audit preparation, and regulatory compliance.

The Controller works closely with the Director of Finance, Headmaster, Development Office, Admissions and Enrollment, Human Resources, faculty and staff, families, vendors, auditors, and financial institutions. The position requires a high degree of accuracy, confidentiality, integrity, organization, and customer service.

• Maintain accurate and timely accounting records in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and School policies.
• Record daily financial transactions, including cash receipts, checks, electronic payments, ACH transactions, gifts, transfers, and journal entries.
• Prepare journal entries, account reclassifications, and interfund or project transfers for approval by the Director of Finance
• Maintain the chart of accounts and ensure transactions are recorded to the appropriate accounts, funds, departments, and projects.
• Perform monthly account reconciliations and investigate and resolve discrepancies.
• Assist with month-end and year-end closing procedures.
• Maintain organized and complete financial documentation and supporting schedules.

• Record and reconcile cash, check, credit-card, online, and electronic income.
• Reconcile operating, payroll, development, and other School bank accounts for approval by the Director of Finance.
• Prepare and make cash deposits in accordance with School policies and internal-control procedures.
• Record transfers between bank accounts, funds, and projects.
• Maintain check logs, Positive Pay activity, and other banking records.
• Support compliance with PCI requirements and applicable banking regulations.
• Maintain appropriate segregation of duties and internal controls over cash and banking activities.

• Maintain the School’s student billing and tuition-management system.
• Record and reconcile tuition, fees, financial aid, and other student charges to the general ledger.
• Monitor tuition billing, collections, delinquent accounts, withdrawals, refunds, and adjustments.
• Respond timely, professionally, and confidentially to family questions regarding tuition accounts and billing.
• Work with Admissions, Enrollment Management, Financial Aid, and School administration to ensure accurate student-account information.
• Assist with annual enrollment, tuition-setting, and system-integration processes.
• Investigate and resolve discrepancies between the student-information/tuition system and the general ledger.

• Assist with sales-tax reporting and other regulatory filings.
• Serve as backup support during the absence of the Accounts Payable Specialist or during peak periods.

• Record and reconcile gifts received by cash, check, credit card, ACH, online giving, securities, and other methods.
• Reconcile development and gift-related bank accounts and systems.
• Ensure gifts are properly recorded by donor, fund, restriction, campaign, and accounting classification.
• Reconcile development records to the general ledger.
• Support the Development Office with gift reporting, reconciliations, and financial documentation.
• Assist with capital campaign and restricted-fund reporting.
• Provide financial information for donor and development reporting while maintaining strict confidentiality.

• Reconcile payroll accounts and related general ledger activity.
• Assist with payroll-related journal entries, benefit accounting, and reporting