About the Flint Center for Educational Excellence
The Flint Center for Educational Excellence (the Flint Center) is a place-based education reform initiative that works with schools, families, and the community at-large to build an educational ecosystem that ensures Flint kids thrive. We provide programs, policies, research, and advocacy that bring together a complex network of partners that work to support learning and education.
Founded in 2023 with support from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation and the Community Foundation of Greater Flint, the Flint Center brought together existing education programs to strengthen out of school services and deepen community impact. With an operating budget of $10M and a team of 80+ diverse and dedicated staff, the Flint Center works across 16 different sites in 7 school systems to serve more than 2,300 children and their families with two-generation interventions and evidence-based best practices.
Flint Center programs and initiatives include:
- The Community Education Initiative – providing student support services to improve attendance, behavior, social well-being, and academic achievement
- Thrive On and Thrive Up – afterschool programming for elementary, middle, and high school students
- The Flint Early Childhood Collaborative – in partnership with Educare Flint and Cummings Great Expectations
- The Network for School Excellence – to address academic outcomes through teacher preparedness
- The Community Council on Education – to align cross-sector resources in support of schools
- The Flint Parent Collaborative – to amplify the voices of parents and caregivers
- Research & Advocacy – to collect, analyze, and apply data to drive better community outcomes
For more information on the programs, staff, and vision of the Flint Center, please visit our website.
The Opportunity
Having recently received their 501c3 status and exited their fiscal sponsorship agreement with the Community Foundation of Greater Flint, the Flint Center is hiring its first Controller to assist with bringing financial systems and grant compliance in-house. Reporting to the COO and working closely with the fractional CFO and Director of Operations, the Controller will be responsible developing and implementing sound accounting systems and best in class financial policies and procedures. Once hired, they will supervise and train an Accounts Payable Clerk to support the finance function.
The Controller is responsible for developing, leading, and coordinating the day-to-day financial operations within the Flint Center, including the fiscal close processes and annual financial auditing. Responsibilities also include training staff and serving as the go-to financial resource for all finance-related activities across the organization. The Controller will play a crucial role in maintaining the accuracy of financial records and grants reporting, implementing efficient accounting processes, and ensuring compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). This is an exciting opportunity for a leader with nonprofit accounting experience and a proven track record of building systems for nascent and evolving organizations.
Key Responsibilities of the Controller include:
- Execute and oversee day-to-day accounting processes and financial reporting in accordance with GAAP
- Provide monthly reports on Budget versus Actuals, with updated year-end projections
- Analyze and address variances in budget and cash flow, providing timely updates and explanations to Leadership
- Supervise cash flow management to maintain a required fluid cash position
- Prepare the Flint Center’s financial statements and lead the preparation of the annual audit
- Review all gifts and grants received to ensure proper accounting and reporting, as well as spending compliance of grants with donor restrictions
- Maintain current knowledge of GAAP, federal and state policies and directives, and changes in the accounting field
- Lead the preparation of regulatory filings and Flint Center’s financial statements
- Collaborate with Program Leadership to design program budgets and monitor revenues and expenditures
- Ensure the confidentiality of financial information and plans, enforcing internal controls and reporting systems
- Coach, counsel, and oversee the performance of Accounts Payable Clerk
Candidate Profile
We recognize that no one individual will possess every qualification outlined. As a successful candidate for the Controller role, you will bring many of the following professional qualifications and personal attributes to this role:
- 8+ years of relevant work experience, including experience in a senior finance role within a nonprofit organization implementing Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
- Strong analytical skills, forecasting experience, and a passion for process design & systems improvement
- Experience in a heavily regulated environment (public schools, city/state government, etc.) with demonstrated success in complex grants compliance. Familiarity with 21st Century funding a plus
- Knowledge of QuickBooks
- Experience with cloud-based accounting systems
- Exceptional detail orientation and project management skills
- Alignment with the Flint Center’s theory of change, ecosystem approach, and commitment to two generation family literacy and educational equity
- Ability to work closely with a diverse, mission driven team
Compensation & Benefits
The salary range for this role is $90,000-$120,000. The Flint Center provides a comprehensive compensation and benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage, 401k plan, 32 days paid time off annually, and 9.5 holidays.
Contact
Koya Partners l Diversified Search Group has been exclusively retained for this engagement, which is being led by Cassie Scarano and Ariella Pasackow. To apply, please submit a compelling cover letter and resume by filling out our Talent Profile. All inquiries are strictly confidential.
Flint Center for Educational Excellence is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of actual or perceived sex, race, color, ancestry, citizenship, ethnicity, national origin, religion, age, disability (mental or physical), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, pregnancy, breastfeeding or related medical condition, parenthood, genetic characteristic or information, military or veteran status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state, or local law.
Koya Partners is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals living with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual living with a disability and need assistance expressing interest online, please email [email protected]. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.
About Koya Partners
Koya Partners, a Diversified Search Group company, is the nation’s premier search firm dedicated to mission-driven leadership. Since its founding in 2004, Koya has had an exclusive focus on mission-driven clients and was founded on the belief that the right leader can transform an organization and have a deep and measurable impact on our world. Koya works with nonprofits & NGOs, responsible businesses, and social enterprises in local communities and around the world.
Diversified Search Group is consistently recognized by Forbes on its top 10 list of “America’s Best Executive Recruiting Firms” and is an industry leader in recruiting transformational leaders for a changing world. The firm is deliberately different in its approach, with best-in-class teams who have decades of experience in cultivating inclusive leaders, understanding the dimensions of diversity, and building equitable teams. Learn more about Koya Partners l Diversified Search Group via the firm's website.