Description

Valley Christian Schools is seeking a skilled and accomplished Financial Controller to lead all accounting operations with excellence, integrity, and precision. You will oversee financial strategy, strengthen internal controls, and turn data into insight that drives our mission of creating culture changers for Christ. 

The Financial Controller – or, Controller – serves as the most senior leader for the accounting operations of VCS, directing and controlling all financial activities of the School. The Controller is responsible for the entire accounting cycle, including AP/AR, monthly reporting, monthly close, bank reconciliations, etc. The Controller coordinates the workflow of the business office to ensure efficiency and the completion of business office tasks, ensuring that generally accepted accounting practices (GAAP) are adhered to. The Controller develops and implements internal controls and creates all financial reports used for compliance, forecasting and cash flow. The Controller also supervises business office employees and ensures outstanding customer service is provided to parents, students, employees, school leadership, and the community. 

Role and Responsibilities:

• Oversees general ledger and accounting functions and systems, ensuring compliance with appropriate GAAP standards and regulatory requirements, while maintaining accurate financial accounts.
• Prepares, analyzes, and submits monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports to CEO, COO, Board of Directors, and others, as needed. This includes the balance sheet, income statement, cash flow statement, department reports, etc. 
• Manages the month-end closing process and ensures all balance sheet accounts are reconciled monthly in a timely manner.
• Regularly monitors actual spending vs. budgetary allotments, reporting on and analyzing both positive and negative variances to HOS and COO. 
• Devises and implements internal controls to reduce the risk of errors, omissions and fraud. 
• Manages organizational debt and participates in loan renegotiations. 
• Oversees student tuition accounts, including verifying account data for billing accuracy, etc.
• Performs monthly bank reconciliations to the general ledger of all cash accounts. Researches any discrepancies and prepares necessary journal entries to correct the accounts.
• Reconciles the School’s fixed asset records (quarterly, annually, or as-needed), and prepares any year end entries.
• Works with the HOS to produce the annual budget; works with all departments to inform the annual budgets and forecasts. 
• Conducts year-end closing process, including the annual external audit and 990 preparations, ensuring full compliance with all reporting requirements.
• Manages the School’s banking relationships, and initiates needed strategies for improvement.
• Performs internal audits as directed by the HOS or COO.
• Produces ad hoc reports required by management for decision-making. 
• Leads the day-to-day activities of the business office to ensure an orderly workflow and effective use of time, money and staff resources.
• With the assistance of HR, oversees the payroll process at VCS.
• Consistently reports on and maintains adherence to the School’s financial KPIs, developing a strategy for any initiatives not being met. 
• Ensures the School’s Capital Expenditures plan is regularly updated, including semi-annual contributions from other VCS leaders, and the plan is implemented and funded effectively. 
• Leads Long-Term Financial Sustainability efforts as part of the School’s strategic plan.
• Attends staff, departmental, management, and other meetings, as required.
• Serve on Valley Christian Schools' Deans and Directors Leadership Team.
• Adhere to Valley Christian policies, procedures/processes and codes.
• Performs other related duties, as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Conducts interviews and participates in the hiring of business office staff
• Train, supervise, counsels, schedules, and evaluates performance of assigned staff
• Oversees the overall work of assigned staff

Requirements

 Qualifications and Skills:

• Demonstrates a personal relationship with Jesus Christ that is a consistent testimony to others
• Agree to uphold Valley Christian’s Mission & Beliefs which can be found at http://valleychristianaz.org/about/philosophy 
  Faithfully attend and financially support a local church whose beliefs are in agreement with our school’s Mission & Beliefs.
• Must have and maintain a valid level one IVP fingerprint card.
• Must have excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both written and verbally.
• Ability to multi-task with organization.
• Ability to exercise initiative and sound judgement and to react with discretion under varying condition.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, or a related field. 
• 5+ years of experience in Finance/Accounting/Operations, with P&L experience.
• Expertise in Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite or related software, with emphasis on Excel/spreadsheets. 

Preferred Skills and Knowledge:

• Prior experience in the oversight and management of an accounting office. 
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA). 
• Master’s degree in finance, accounting, business administration (MBA), or a related field. 
• Experience in accounting and payroll software. 

Physical Requirements:

• Use a computer (visual and keyboarding) for long periods of time.
• Able to remain in a stationary position (sitting or standing) 50% of the time.
• Occasionally lift up to 25 pounds.
• At times requires stooping, bending, turning, pushing, pulling, reaching and climbing stairs (2-story).
• Use of hands, fingers, arms to reach, grip and maneuver objects.
• Must be able to respond quickly to sounds (fire/security alarms).
• Work in noisy and crowded school environment.
• Able to work a flexible schedule including weekends and evenings when needed.
• Frequent walking throughout the campus.
• Must be able to travel in state between campuses, to vendors, and to related events.

Background Check Statement

VCS conducts pre-employment screening for all positions which includes a criminal background check, verification of work history, academic credentials, licenses, and certifications.

About Valley Christian Schools

Valley Christian Schools offers students in Kindergarten through 12th Grade, big school opportunities in a small school environment. Established in 1982, VCS provides 1100+ students a distinctly Christian education with excellent academics, championship athletics, award-winning fine arts and a supporting community that encourages spiritual growth and the success of our students in and out of the classroom across our two East Valley campuses. VCS has been consistently recognized as one of the top Christian high schools in the nation and one of the best K-12 Christian schools in the state, in large part due to our outstanding and committed faculty and staff. Through annual surveys, our team members have named VCS as a Top Workplace in Arizona in 2023 and 2024. 

PLEASE NOTE: Subject to the Constitution of the United States and all applicable state and federal laws, Valley Christian Schools does not discriminate against applicants or students on the basis of race, color, and national or ethnic origin in its admissions or in the administration of its education policies, programs, or activities. In addition, subject to Subject to the Constitution of the United States and all applicable state and federal laws, Valley Christian Schools does not discriminate in its employment practices. Valley Christian Schools is a Christian education institution and, in compliance with Title VII of Civil Rights Act of 1964, reserves the right to give preference in employment based upon religion. It is our desire to build an employee community of individuals who are currently living out their Christian faith that agree with our Statement of Faith, beliefs, philosophy, and qualifications.