Housing Financial Controller (Contract Position)

Salary: $70.24/hr

Contract Term: 12 months with option to renew

As this is not a permanent, full-time position, the role is not eligible for company sponsored fringe benefits, including health insurance or paid time off.

Company Description

Northern Valley Catholic Social Service (NVCSS) Housing Department (“the Agency”) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit affordable housing organization serving communities in Northern California. The Agency currently oversees 7 single-asset corporations (SACs) and 4 Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) properties with separate books and compliance requirements, supporting property operations, asset management, resident services, and development. The Agency’s accounting systems include [e.g., QuickBooks or comparable], with reporting needs for investors, lenders, and regulators

Role Description

The Agency seeks proposals from qualified firms or individuals to provide Controller services to strengthen financial operations, ensure compliance (nonprofit GAAP, LIHTC, lender and investor requirements), improve reporting accuracy and timeliness, and support strategic decision-making. The initial term is expected to be [12 months] with an option to renew based on performance and funding.

Scope of Services

The selected Controller will provide the following services, in collaboration with Agency leadership, property management, auditors, and tax preparers.

Core Accounting & Reporting

• Monthly Close & Financial Statements for the parent nonprofit and each SAC and LIHTC entity: accrual close, reconciliations (banks, intercompany, A/R, A/P, escrow/impound, reserves), entity-level and consolidated statements (Balance Sheet, Income Statement, Cash Flow), and Budget vs. Actuals with variance analysis.
• Consolidation across entities, including elimination entries and intercompany transactions.
• Budgeting & Forecasting: annual budgets (entity and consolidated), 13-week cash flow and 12-month rolling forecasts, re-forecasting and scenario modeling as requested.
• Board & Management Reporting: monthly/quarterly dashboard packs (key metrics, covenant status, liquidity, arrears, payables aging, capital needs, occupancy trends).
• Manage financial, compliance, reporting, and draw processing for affordable housing grants including pre-development through construction closeout and applicable program grant distributions after certificate of occupancy.

Compliance & Filings

• Audit Preparation & Support: GAAP-compliant workpapers, schedules, and PBC lists for annual audit(s); coordinate with external auditors to ensure timely responses and adjustments.
• Tax Compliance Coordination: coordinate with tax preparers on Forms 990/990-T (as applicable), state filings, and LIHTC K‑1 cycle support.
• LIHTC/Regulatory/Lender/Investor Reporting: prepare/support investor reporting packages and capital account roll forwards; prepare or support required reports to lenders, syndicators, bond issuers, and regulatory agencies; track and report on reserve requirements (replacement, residual receipts, operating) and escrow accounts.
• Debt & Covenant Compliance: maintain covenant tracker; prepare debt compliance certificates; monitor DSCR, liquidity, and reserve tests.

Systems, Processes & Internal Controls

• Accounting Systems: maintain and optimize the chart of accounts; recommend improvements for multi-entity reporting; evaluate current systems and propose enhancements or integrations for accuracy and efficiency.
• Internal Controls & Policies: document/update policies for procure-to-pay, cash disbursements, journal entries, credit cards, and approvals; establish segregation of duties and approval matrix; implement supporting checklists.
• Cash Management: weekly cash positioning and 13-week cash flow; liquidity management across entities; intercompany settlements with proper documentation.

Operational Accounting Support (No Payroll Processing)

• A/P and A/R Oversight: ensure timeliness and coding accuracy (including property and project codes); maintain approval workflows; competitive procurement documentation as required by funders; support 1099 reporting (prepared by A/P or external vendor).
• Payroll Oversight — Reconciliation Only (No Processing): reconcile payroll entries to the general ledger; review allocations by program/property/grant; maintain internal controls related to timekeeping data and payroll journal entries; coordinate with the Agency’s external payroll provider. The Controller will not process or submit payroll, manage onboarding/offboarding in payroll systems, handle benefits administration, or make payroll tax deposits/filings.
• Grant & Restricted Funds Accounting (if applicable): track restricted funds, grant budgets vs. actuals, draw requests, and compliance reporting.
• Coordination with Agency finance team and serve as finance liaison for the Housing department.

Special Projects (As Requested)

• Onboarding/Offboarding Entities; property dispositions; cost certification support for new developments.
• Capital project tracking (CIP to fixed assets) and fixed-asset rollforwards.
• Policy/procedural training for staff.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in nonprofit housing and LIHTC environments, including multi-entity consolidations and investor reporting.
• Proficiency with GAAP, fund accounting, and LIHTC compliance frameworks.
• Experience with relevant systems (e.g., Yardi, QuickBooks, or similar).
• Successful completion of at least [3] comparable engagements in the last [5] years.
• Professional liability insurance and a strong internal quality review process.
• Ability to meet deadlines and collaborate with staff, auditors, tax preparers, and property managers.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• CPA or equivalent certified preferred.
• Relevant experience in nonprofit/LIHTC multi-entity controller or audit preparation engagements preferred