Controller, Accounting, Financial Controller

Studio in a School (Studio) seeks an experienced, dedicated, and collaborative finance and accounting professional with an interest in art education to join our team as the Controller. The Controller is responsible for overseeing all accounting operations for Studio. The Controller will play a key role in supporting strategic objectives through financial reporting. The Controller will also supervise the Accounts Payable Clerk and oversee accounting functions including Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, the annual audit, and the management of accounting systems.

The Controller is a full-time, exempt, non‑union position reporting to the Director of Finance and Operations.

Studio in a School fosters the creative and intellectual development of young people through quality visual arts programs, directed by professional Artist Instructors, arts and cultural internships, and apprentice‑based learning in the arts. The organization also collaborates with and develops the capacity of classroom teachers, school leadership, and others who provide or support arts programming and creative development for young people both in and outside of schools.

• Lead, oversee, and ensure monthly closes.
• Write journal entries for review by Director of Finance and Operations, and review journal entries from direct reports according to internal checks and balances system.
• Manage the General Ledger; maintain the chart of accounts, review accounts, and troubleshoot and resolve any issues.
• Maintain schedules and make all journal entries for accruals.
• Collaborate with the rest of the Finance team to improve accounting systems and enhance efficiency in accounting operations. Prepare analyses and ongoing balance sheet schedules and other account reconciliations as needed.

• Serve as a primary contact with the auditor.
• Create, develop, and maintain schedules, backup, consolidated financial statements, and analyses, facilitating access to documentation and individuals as needed.
• Proof reconciliations and schedules prepared by the Finance team.
• Work with Director of Finance and Operations and outside auditor to prepare and present audited financial statements and Form 990 to the Board Audit Committee and management as needed. Ensure approval and timely filing. Respond to audit findings, creating corrective actions plans if needed.

• Review check and ACH payments and monthly credit card reconciliations.

• Process and deposit contributed and earned revenue. Record gift entries as received from Development with associated backup documentation and program codes to be reviewed by the Director of Finance and Operations. Maintain contributed income tracker.
  • Record all NYC Public Schools and third party fee‑for‑service payments, including pledges and pledge payments in the general ledger.

• Prepare monthly journal entries using investment statements and generate reports for the Board Investment Committee.
• Value and process stock donations to be reviewed by Director of Finance and Operations.

• Track fixed assets, including depreciation, art sales and acquisitions, and leasehold improvements.
• Maintain the Net Asset schedule and coordinate with Development and Director of Finance and Operations to ensure accurate restrictions. Prepare monthly journal entries for releases and restrictions.

• Complete monthly bank reconciliations, which include entering various journal entries to properly reconcile.
• Review monthly credit card reconciliations and journal entries completed by the Associate Director of Payroll and Accounting.

• Recommend policies and develop and edit procedures to ensure adherence to internal accounting and financial controls.
• Assure GAAP compliance and Federal, State and City regulations, as well as non‑profit rules, laws, and mandates.

• Accounting or Finance Degree. CPA or CPA track a plus. 4‑5 years of experience in non‑profit finance/accounting preferred. Experience in a public accounting firm is also a plus.
• Abili…