Controller; Part Time

Big Wave Group, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Half Moon Bay, California, seeks an experienced, detail-oriented Part-Time Controller to coordinate the organization’s accounting and financial operations. Working within a distributed finance model, the Controller will oversee the quality and timeliness of work performed by Jitasa, Big Wave’s outsourced bookkeeping provider; help ensure that activity from systems such as Buildium is accurately integrated into the financial records;

and support financial reporting, budgeting, internal controls, compliance, and analysis.

This is a hands-on coordination and oversight role rather than the primary bookkeeping position. The Controller will work closely with the Executive Director and staff, Jitasa, the board treasurer, the finance committee, auditors, tax preparers, and other advisors. The board treasurer will set strategic financial direction; the Controller will translate that direction into reliable processes, analysis, reporting, and follow-through.

• Serve as Big Wave’s primary day-to-day liaison with Jitasa, establish clear deliverables and close calendars, provide requested information, review work product, resolve questions, and monitor service quality.
• Coordinate the monthly close process and review account reconciliations, journal entries, accruals, allocations, and financial results prepared by Jitasa; initiate or approve corrections as appropriate.
• Prepare or coordinate timely monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements, management reports, dashboards, and supporting schedules for the Executive Director, board treasurer, Board of Directors, and finance committee.
• Partner with the board treasurer, who sets strategic financial direction, to implement financial priorities and provide analysis, forecasts, and decision support.
• Administer the financial workflow between Buildium and the general ledger, including rent receipts, security deposits, tenant balances, fees, and related cash activity; perform or review reconciliations and investigate exceptions.
• Coordinate accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll-related accounting, banking activity, and general ledger integrity across staff, Jitasa, Quick Books Online (QBO), Buildium, , Gusto, Bloomerang and other systems and service providers.
• Support annual budgeting, forecasting, cash-flow planning, variance analysis, and scenario modeling.
• Monitor restricted and unrestricted funds, grants, donations, program revenue, rental activity, and related expenses to support accurate classification and compliance with donor or contractual requirements. Support the preparation of grant applications.
• Maintain and improve internal controls, accounting policies, approval workflows, documentation, and segregation of duties appropriate for a growing nonprofit with outsourced bookkeeping.
• Coordinate with auditors and tax preparers for the annual audit, Form 990, and other required filings, including preparation of schedules and timely resolution of requests.
• Prepare or coordinate other tax and information returns such as California sales tax, county property tax, government survey and other returns.
• Provide clear explanations of financial results, risks, and trends to non-financial stakeholders and identify opportunities to strengthen systems, controls, reporting, and transparency.

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business, or a related field required; CPA or equivalent experience preferred.
• At least five years of progressive accounting or finance experience, preferably including nonprofit accounting, outsourced accounting oversight, and board reporting.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP, nonprofit and fund accounting, restricted funds, financial statement…