Posted: 04-Apr-25
Location: Seattle, Washington
Type: Part Time
Categories:
Controller
Exempt, 30 hours/week (0.75 FTE); flexible schedule/hybrid option
$85,000 to $100,000 depending on experience and qualifications
(based on annualized equivalent salary of approximately $115,000 to $135,000)
Excellent health insurance, 6 weeks paid vacation, paid sick, retirement, professional development & other.
Beginning May 2025
Our Mission
Bertschi School educates children to become compassionate, confident and creative learners in a global community.
Our Values
Our community values integrity, inclusiveness, respect, diversity and a commitment to sustainability.
Our Approach
- Our teachers inspire academic excellence and individual success
- Our curriculum fosters intellectual curiosity and emotional maturity
- Our school encourages social responsibility and collaborative problem solving
- Our community supports and celebrates the unique gifts of every child
Our Diversity Statement
Bertschi School is committed to honoring the unique contributions to our society by people of all ethnic, economic, religious, racial backgrounds, physical abilities, learning styles and sexual orientation. We are actively committed to increasing the diversity in our school community to reflect the world in which we live.
Our School
Bertschi School, founded in 1975, is a Washington State approved elementary school. We are a member of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) and accredited by the Northwest Association of Independent Schools (NWAIS). The school serves children from pre-kindergarten through grade five. Bertschi School is an exciting environment where professionals are part of a supportive team dedicated to advancing the school’s mission working alongside an active community. The staff enjoys a salary and benefit package in line with other independent private schools in the Northwest.
General Summary
Bertschi School is seeking a Controller to partner with the Chief Financial Officer/Chief Operating Officer (CFO/COO) in managing the school’s business operations. The role of the Controller is an integral part of the Business Office and includes managing day-to-day business and operating activity, financial budgeting and forecasting, analyzing and communicating historical and projected income and expense data, and financial statement and other report generation. The Controller has primary responsibility for the school’s accounting function, internal controls, annual audit, and financial statement and other periodic financial reporting. In addition, this position has supervisory responsibility for student billing and collections, accounts payable, and payroll and benefits administration.
Overview of Responsibilities
General Accounting
- Responsible for managing the school’s accounting function and ensuring accurate and timely financial information.
- Supervise student billing and collections, accounts payable, payroll and benefits administration, and general accounting operations.
- Prepare monthly account reconciliations along with assistant controller; also ensure accurate and appropriate coding of all revenue, expenditure and journal transactions, including unrestricted, temporarily restricted and permanently restricted funds.
- Reconcile monthly fundraising financial data and perform general annual and capital campaign oversight along with the Development Office.
- Prepare, reconcile and report on construction activities, as necessary.
- Communicate accounting policies to affected employees and ensure compliance with such policies;
General Accounting
- Prepare quarterly financial statements, including variance financial analyses and school financial dashboard.
- Work with CFO/COO in the preparation and monitoring of departmental budgets and forecasts; also work with other administrators and department supervisors concerning budget performance.
- Assist CFO/COO in forecasting annual income and expense performance, as well as planning for future financial operations.
- Attend board Finance Committee meetings.
Treasury Management
- Supervise incoming cash receipts and deposits.
- Provide periodic cash reports to CFO/COO.
- Assist with endowment and school reserves investment management.
Audit
- Lead role in preparing schedules and work papers for annual audit.
- Work with auditors on IRS Form 990 and 5500 preparation.
- Attend board Audit Committee meetings.
Peer Reporting & Surveys
- Prepare periodic surveys and reports for the school’s trade organizations (NAIS, NBOA, and others).
- Prepare similar data and/or analytics as requested.
Supervision & HR
- Provide support in the hiring, training and day-to-day supervision of Business Office staff.
- Support monthly payroll and benefits administration and ongoing HR policy management (experience dependent).
Other
- Retirement (403B) plan oversight.
- General administrative duties at student drop-off and/or pick-up to help support school operations.
- Attend staff and other meetings as requested.
- Other miscellaneous tasks as assigned in support of the CFO/COO.
- Pursue professional development through accounting and finance-related classes, seminars, conferences, and publications.
Position Qualifications
The ideal candidate will be possess:
- CPA with a bachelor’s degree in accounting.
- At least 5-7 years’ expertise in accounting, including managerial experience.
- Experience in nonprofit accounting and/or an educational setting is required.
- Expertise in general ledger accounting systems; experience with school accounting and administrative platforms a plus. (Bertschi uses the Veracross student information system across all major school operations)
- Strong proficiency with Excel and Google Workspace.
- Experience with payroll and benefits administration and HR policy; experience with Paylocity a plus.
- Strong interpersonal, verbal, and communication skills with an ability to work well with competing priorities.
- Proven track record of mentoring and developing staff preferred.
- Comfortable working with children and teaching staff in classroom settings.
Work Schedule & Compensation
30-hour workweek with flexible work schedule, including hybrid work option with 3 to 5 days on campus (0.75 FTE). Full-time benefits including medical, dental, vision, LTC, disability and life insurance, retirement contribution, paid leave, professional development, and others. Annual Salary of $85,000 to $100,000 depending on experience (based on annualized equivalent compensation of approximately $115,000 to $135,000).
Application Process
No phone calls will be accepted. Interested candidates are invited to send or e-mail a resume, cover letter, and application for employment (available at www.bertschi.org/jobs) to employment@bertschi.org.
Bertschi School is an equal opportunity employer seeking a more culturally diverse workplace. Bertschi School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, socio-economic status, gender identity, sexual orientation or disability.