Controller, Finance & Banking, Financial Manager

Position Summary

The Controller manages the day‑to‑day financial operations of Portland Jewish Academy and The Mittleman Jewish Community Center, two distinct 501(c)(3) organizations. This role is responsible for maintaining the integrity of the general ledgers, overseeing billing systems (Renweb/Daxko), and supervising the consolidated Payroll/AP function. Beyond traditional accounting, the Controller provides operational management for the IT and Facilities departments, ensuring that the organization’s physical and digital infrastructure supports its mission.

Upon hire, the Controller will focus primarily on the Day‑to‑Day Financial Operations (Accounting, Billing, and Financial Reporting) to ensure mastery of our internal systems and standards. During the initial transition period, the outgoing CFO in a consulting role will retain supervisory authority over the IT, Facilities, and Payroll/AP departments. As proficiency is demonstrated, the Controller will assume these supervisory duties. The organization will then conduct a formal review to adjust title and compensation.

• Prepare and post journal entries, maintain the general ledger, and manage cash, investments, and assets.
• Flag and investigate unusual transactions; discuss with CFO or relevant staff.
• Perform daily reconciliations and oversee the Daxko (MJCC POS) system.
• Serve as primary lead for Renweb (PJA Billing and A/R) and assist departments with customer account issues.
• Review, approve and release bill payments through Ramp (A/P software).
• Engage with auditors, bankers, and insurance agents; assist CFO in year‑end audits and tax filings.
• Prepare monthly and annual financial statements with variance analysis; distribute to Department Managers.
• Collaborate on budgets and financial projections with Department Managers.
• Support strategic reporting, long‑term analysis, and ad‑hoc reports.
• Act as the department expert for Quick Books, Renweb, and Daxko; build sophisticated reports using accounting software and spreadsheets.
• Manage quarterly endowment update.
• Manage operations and personnel of the IT and Facilities departments.
• Track grant reporting, capital projects, and financial aspects of grants.
• Process school tuition support and MJCC membership assistance applications.
• Stay current on industry changes via professional development.

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration. Masters or CPA/CMA preferred.
• 5–7 years progressive accounting experience, including at least 2 years in a supervisory or management role; preference for non‑profit, educational, or community center environments.
• Mastery of Quick Books, Excel, and Word. Experience with POS software (Daxko), accounts payable (RAMP), and billing (Renweb) preferred.

Office environment; ability to move throughout campus during the workday; visual and auditory acuity within normal limits; clear verbal communication; dexterity to operate a computer keyboard; may require limited travel and work outside normal business hours.

• Reports to:
  
  Executive Director (ED) and Consulting CFO.
• Directly supervises the Facilities, IT, and AP/Payroll departments and functions.

PJA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Portland Jewish Academy (PJA) is committed to recruiting, hiring, developing, compensating, and promoting the best‑qualified individuals for positions at all levels in the organization. We provide Equal Opportunity Employment (EEO) to all employees and applicants. Employment decisions are made based on how an individual's skills and qualifications meet the responsibilities of the position for which they have applied.

An individual will be free from discrimination based on characteristics protected by law such as race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, national origin, citizenship status, disability, veteran status, or the presence of a non‑job‑related physical, mental, or sensory disability, or other protected status as defined by federal, state, or local laws. Discrimination and/or harassment based on any of those factors are totally inconsistent with our philosophy of doing business and will not be tolerated.

PJA will make reasonable accommodations, including modification of organizational policies and procedures in appropriate cases for qualified individuals with disabilities if it can do so without undue hardship.