Controller, Accounting, Financial Compliance

Position:
Controller
Location:
Dominican House of Studies, Washington, D.C.

Institution: The Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate Conception (PFIC)

Location: Washington, DC (Full-time, In-Office)

The Controller supports institutional planning, compliance, and financial accountability by maintaining robust internal controls, producing accurate and timely financial reports, and serving as a knowledgeable resource across all areas of institutional finance.

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer (COO), this is a hands‑on, individual‑contributor accounting role for a Catholic graduate school with a small administrative staff.

The Controller processes the institution’s full transaction volume and runs payroll cycles weekly, while also maintaining the books and controls environment and working with the COO to ensure compliance with relevant federal, state, and local regulations.

This is a full‑time, in‑office role based at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, D.C. Employment requires residency in the greater Washington (DMV) metro area.

• Maintain the general ledger and ensure the accuracy and completeness of all financial records in accordance with GAAP and applicable FASB standards.
• Manage month‑end and year‑end close processes, including the preparation and posting of journal entries, accruals, deferrals, and reconciliations.
• Process and maintain all accounts receivable and accounts payable, ensuring timely and accurate recording of transactions.
• Reconcile bank accounts and investment accounts, investigating and resolving discrepancies in a timely manner.
• Produce financial statements for review by the President, senior leaders, and members of the Board of Trustees and Board of Overseers.

• Process institutional payroll accurately and on schedule, subject to executive approval, ensuring compliance with all applicable wage and tax laws.
• Maintain and process all employee tax‑related data, including withholding, reporting, and year‑end W‑2 preparation.
• Administer employer contributions to 403(b) retirement accounts.
• Respond to and process federal and District of Columbia tax requests and inquiries in a timely manner.
• Generate, send, and process student tuition payment invoices, tracking collections and following up on outstanding balances in coordination with the Registrar.
• Manage the institutional bill approval process, routing invoices through appropriate approvers and maintaining a clear audit trail for all disbursements.
• Prepare various invoices for payment, schedule reminders, and ensure vendors are paid in accordance with agreed terms.
• Prepare and file annual 1099 forms for applicable vendors and contractors, and 1098‑T forms for qualifying students, in compliance with IRS requirements and filing deadlines.

• Ensure financial operations comply with GAAP, applicable FASB guidance, and all federal, DC, and accreditation‑related financial requirements.
• Manage the annual audit process, serving as the primary liaison with external auditors.
• Maintain financial records in accordance with applicable legal and institutional retention requirements.

• Collaborate with the President, Chief Operating Officer, and other leaders to prepare the annual institutional budget.
• Monitor actual expenditures against budget.
• Assist the Dean and Registrar with financial reporting and data required for accreditation reports and institutional self‑studies as needed.
• Collaborate with the COO and other institutional stakeholders on financial planning, reporting, and special projects as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a closely related field; CPA or progress toward CPA designation preferred.
• A minimum of three years of progressively responsible experience in accounting or financial management, preferably in a nonprofit, higher education, or mission‑driven organizational context.
• Knowledge of GAAP and FASB standards.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage high transaction volume independently.
• Comfortable working on accounting/financial operations in a small team environment, with no dedicated…