Controller

POSITION: Controller

REPORTS TO: Vice President for Finance 

STATUS: Full-time, Exempt

RANGE: $170,000 - $185,000

SUMMARY: Founded in 1901, Brooklyn Law School is a distinguished, independent law school located in Downtown Brooklyn, New York. The Law School is searching for a Controller to join our team. The Law School’s size, vibrant employee and student population, and commitment to training the next generation of lawyers and promoting social justice, will offer a candidate the opportunity to develop and diversify practical skills and participate firsthand in operating a successful educational institution.

Reporting to the Vice President for Finance, the Controller will serve as the institution’s lead accounting officer, overseeing all financial operations in alignment with GAAP, GASB, and nonprofit accounting standards. The Controller will establish and evaluate policies and procedures. The Controller plays a strategic role in implementing best practices in higher education accounting, ensuring compliance, fiscal integrity, and operational efficiency across all accounting functions. 

Responsibilities include:

• Lead the institution’s accounting operations, including general accounting, accounts payable, student accounts and accounts receivable, investment accounting, and endowment/restricted fund reporting.
• Manage the month-end and year-end close processes and ensure timely preparation of financial statements.
• Serve as primary liaison with external auditors and lead the annual audits, including the financial statement audit, single audit (federal compliance), and ERISA/403(b) audit.
• Oversee the development, implementation, and maintenance of internal controls, policies, and financial procedures.
• Ensure accurate and timely reconciliation of all balance sheet accounts and subledgers.
• Oversee bank and investment reconciliations, and compliance with bond covenants.
• Provide support for Board and committee reporting and financial presentations.
• Supervise and mentor direct reports, fostering growth and accountability across the finance team.
• Collaborate with institutional stakeholders (e.g., Advancement, Financial Aid, Operations) on fund tracking, reporting needs, and ensuring financial data supports institutional planning efforts.

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or related field required; CPA required.
• Minimum of 8–10 years of progressive accounting experience, including at least 3 years in a supervisory capacity.
• Prior experience in public accounting (audit), particularly with nonprofit or higher education clients, strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience leading financial statement audits, single audits, and retirement (ERISA/403b) audits, including tax document filings
• Expertise in GAAP, GASB, and nonprofit/fund accounting as well as tax compliance
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, oral and written communication skills, and leadership and team management skills.
• Advanced financial analysis skills, with ability to connect detailed data to strategic decision-making and develop financial reports 
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and financial systems; experience with ERP platforms such as Ellucian Colleague preferred.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities, work cross-functionally, and drive process improvements

Preferred:

• MBA or master's degree in related discipline from an accredited institution.

Remote capabilities:

• This position is eligible for a hybrid schedule.

Travel:

• Some travel may be required. 

Brooklyn Law School has an excellent benefits package that includes sick, personal and vacation paid time off, a generous retirement plan, dependent tuition scholarship Pre K- undergraduate college and additional summer Friday PTO.

Affirmative Action/EEO statement 

It is the policy of Brooklyn Law School to be impartial in the treatment of all employees and applicants for employment without unlawful discrimination as to race, creed, religion, color, natural origin, citizenship status, gender, age, veteran status, disability, marital status, union affiliation, political affiliation, sexual orientation or preferences or any other legal protected status.