Controller

Reports to:  Chief Financial Officer

Classification: Full-time, Exempt, Salaried

Start Date: ASAP

Location: Central Office, M/W/F – in office, T/TH– work from home

ROLE BENEFITS

The starting salary range for this role is $163,000 - $184,000. Please note that candidates who are new to their role or newly promoted can expect offers between the minimum and the mid-point of the range. To allow for salary progression over time, offers at the top of the range are rare. Individual education and experience will be considered when issuing offers. In addition, this position qualifies for a one-time $7,500 signing bonus, paid in two installments after months 6 and 12 of employment (subject to change). 

Green Dot also offers one of the most robust and comprehensive benefits packages in the industry (for both you and your dependents):

• PPO, EPO and HMO choices for medical, dental and vision coverage - including a 100% employee-only paid option (visit https://www.mygreendotbenefits.com/ for more information). 

• Employee Assistance Program (100% employer-paid)
• Life and AD&D Insurance (100% employer-paid)
• Optional Term Life & AD&D Insurance
• Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance (100% employer-paid)
• Flexible Spending Accounts (health and dependent care)
• Monthly parking for Central Office-based employees (100% employer-paid)
• Optional California Parking Cash-Out program for Central Office-based employees
• Wellness programs and resources
• Financial planning/coaching access
• Optional non-matching 401(k) plan
• Potential for remote work opportunities (occasional or recurring)
• Potential for annual performance-based compensation increases
• Potential for annual bonuses
• Potential for stipend work opportunities
• Approved family care and/or medical leave (unpaid)

Green Dot also offers generous paid time off for an overall work-life balance while giving employees the opportunity to impact a growing, mission-driven organization that is committed to the success of all students:

• 15 days of paid time off during years 1-3 of service (20 days during years 4-6 and 25 days beyond 6 years of service)
• An additional 15 days (minimum) of paid time off each year for our Winter and Spring breaks* (which include the Christmas and New Year’s holidays), as well as an additional 10 annual paid holidays (MLK Day, President’s Day, Cesar Chavez Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, July 4th, Labor Day and Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving Day and Day after Thanksgiving)
• 3-5 days of paid bereavement leave (if needed)

*May be adjusted annually

ABOUT GREEN DOT CALIFORNIA

Green Dot Public Schools California is a non-profit network of public charter schools helping to transform the public education system so that ALL students graduate prepared for college, leadership, and life. Our schools are founded on an unwavering belief in the potential of all students, and there are four key elements to our school model that help us unlock the inherent potential in every student we serve: quality teaching and instruction, a college-going culture, a focus on fostering leadership and life skills, and a focus on eliminating barriers to learning. We have 18 schools and over 10,000 students across Los Angeles. Our schools are located in some of the most underserved communities that have been denied access to high-quality educational opportunities, and we seek to prove that it is possible to close the access and opportunity gap that exists between low-income students and their more affluent peers.

What differentiates Green Dot California is our intense focus on truly serving ALL students, our collaboration with reform-minded unions, our work focused on large-scale turnarounds of schools formerly run by the districts, and our ability to take on the toughest challenges with the same public funding received by traditional district schools but accomplishing very different results. Green Dot California’s results are undeniable. Nine of our high schools have been ranked among the top schools in the country. We have three California Distinguished schools and 3 California Gold Ribbon schools, and several of our schools have been recipients of the CORE Districts’ Academic Growth Awards, which honor schools having the greatest impact on student achievement. Additionally, Green Dot’s first turnaround, Alain LeRoy Locke College Preparatory Academy, was named Charter School of the Year by the California Charter Schools Association in 2019.

In June 2024, Green Dot California will bring many resources in-house, including IT, payroll finance, and public affairs. This change is a pivotal moment for Green Dot California to build new capabilities designed to empower and support our schools here in California. As part of this shift, we anticipate hiring over 50 employees to support our schools by July 2024.

OPPORTUNITY

The Controller plays a critical role in supporting Green Dot’s mission to prepare students for college, leadership, and life. The Controller oversees a multitude of financial operations, ensuring accurate recording and analysis of transactions while maintaining compliance with accounting standards. They lead a team, provide financial leadership, and implement internal controls. The role includes strategic financial management and collaboration with external auditors to support the organization's financial health and objectives. This position is part of the Finance and Accounting team and reports to the Chief Financial Officer. This is a role serving as part of Green Dot California’s central office team, primarily based in Los Angeles.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

General Ledger Accounting Services:

• Ensure integrity and timely processing of all financial transactions, and recording into the General Ledger, according to GAAP and Finance and Accounting Policies. Support and oversee work of the Assistant Controller and the accounting staff.
• Review reconciliations for complex transactions and funding streams, and provide support to all other accountants.
• Oversee monthly and quarterly closings and preparation of supporting schedules.
• Review bank reconciliations, inter-company transfers, and reserve transfers. 
• Oversee preparation and submission of the Standardized Account Code Structure (SACs) reports to the appropriate authorizers.
• Review audited financial statements, in collaboration with the auditors, on a nonprofit accounting standard as governed by the FASB in accordance with GAAP.
• Lead the accounting team in reconciling state apportionment revenues and related cash receipts monthly and annually during the year end close process. Provide financial accounting and reporting oversight.

Accounting Processes, Policies, and Systems:

• Perform process evaluation, improvement and documentation of general accounting, accounts payable, and cash disbursement procedures.
• Oversee activities with external auditors; manage the assembling of schedules and documents for annual audit, 990 and tax returns; review draft of annual financial statements.
• Ensure compliance with GAAP, fiscal policies, and general audit guidelines.
• Improve general accounting procedures, promoting efficiency and accuracy; share recommended changes to GDPSC’s Finance and Accounting Policies.
• Manage the ongoing maintenance of Workday’s financial system configurations seeking to optimize and streamline functions.
• Collaborate with the Chief Financial Officer and Director of Finance to manage the annual audit process.
• Perform special projects and other duties as assigned

Grant Accounting Services:

• Collaborate with program managers to develop detailed grant budgets, ensuring alignment with the organization's financial goals and objectives. Address any compliance issues promptly.
• Oversee the team in conducting variance analysis and work with program managers to address any discrepancies. 
• Facilitate and support external auditors during grant-specific audits.
• Provide general guidance to the Assistant Controller and grant accountants in grant management, reporting, and closeout services. 

Accounts Payable and Financial Operations:

• Provide high-level oversight and support to the AP team for accounts payable activities.
• Review that the AP team complies with GDPSC policies and applicable rules and regulations (i.e. procurement policies, acceptable use of public funds, etc.).
• Lead the AP team in improving and optimizing internal financial operations.

Leadership and Training:

• Lead the accounting department, fostering a collaborative and high-performance culture.
• Provide training to the Assistant Controller and Accountants, ensuring consistent and accurate financial practices.
• Promote and lead an environment of continuous improvement.