Controller

Role Overview

The Controller Role is a key member of the accounting team. The candidate is responsible for leading and overseeing the company's accounting operations, treasury, internal controls, tax and compliance activities. This role ensures accurate, timely financial information while leading and developing the accounting team. The Controller partners closely with the FP&A team and leadership to support strategic decision-making and operational excellence. We work in a virtual open office environment where we strive to collaborate across business functions and work together as a team.

A Day in the Life

Accounting Operations & Control Oversight

- Manage all daily accounting functions, including general ledger activity, accounts payable (A/P), accounts receivable (A/R), payroll, fixed assets, taxes, and revenue recognition

- Lead monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes to ensure accurate and timely financial statements

- Ensure consistency and accuracy across financial reporting systems

- Establish, maintain, and improve internal controls and accounting policies

- Ensure compliance with GAAP, regulatory requirements, and company policies

- Coordinate external audits, tax filings, and regulatory examinations

- Drive improvements in accounting processes, close efficiency, and documentation

- Develops, implements, and maintains systems, procedures and policies, within the accounting department

- Evaluate and implement automation and best practices where appropriate

- Analyze variances between actuals and budget/forecast and provide insights

- Partner with FP&A and operations to improve financial visibility and performance

- Support annual budgeting and periodic forecasting processes

Leadership & Team Management

- Manage, mentor, and develop accounting staff, including performance reviews

- Assign and review work to ensure quality and adherence to deadlines

- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement

- Assist with hiring, onboarding, and training of finance team members

- Act as a key finance partner to department leaders and executive leadership

- Support M&A activities, integrations, and special projects as needed

- Provide ad hoc financial analysis and reporting for executive leadership

About you

- Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance

- 10+ years of progressive accounting and finance experience - 5+ years in a supervisory or people-management role

- Strong knowledge of US GAAP

- Proven ability to interpret and research accounting guidance

- Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities

- Strong attention to detail with the ability to see the big picture

- Proven leadership and team-building skills

- Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration

- Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment

- High integrity and sound professional judgment

- Proficiency with NetSuite and Microsoft Office suite

- CPA, CMA, or equivalent certification preferred

- Experience in EdTech, SaaS preferred

- Experience in private equity-backed or high-growth environments preferred

- Exposure to M&A, integrations, or complex transactions preferred

What Sets Us Apart

- Mission driven culture

- Comprehensive health and benefits package

- 401k company match that vests immediately upon participation

- Paid holidays and a generous PTO policy

- Paid parental leave

About Us

Encoura's mission is to empower students and institutions to create meaningful connections so everyone can make the most informed decisions to achieve their goals. Since 1972, the Company has evolved its products and services to better represent the link between students and higher education institutions and to create the highest probability of student success.

Encoura's expertise now spans enrollment, research, marketing, student success, and advancement and provides an unmatched combination of higher education experience and innovative solutions for colleges and universities. The Company also offers Encourage® — the nation's largest free college and career planning program used by millions of high school students and educators nationwide.

It is the policy of the Company to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information. All applicants must be eligible to work in the U.S.

Encoura endeavors to make reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities and disabled veterans pursuant to applicable federal and state law. If you are an individual with a disability and require reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process or are limited in the ability and need an alternative method for applying, please contact the Talent Team.

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To review our privacy policy, please click this link: https://encoura.org/privacy-policy/