Job Classification: Controller – Heartland Housing Inc.
Summary: The Controller of Heartland Housing Inc. (HH) will oversee the financial and accounting activities of HH by performing various duties personally and by managing the accounting team. This position will also oversee the Treasury management function for Heartland Housing, its General Partners, and Limited Partnerships.
This position is responsible for maintaining fiscal records, providing financial information, preparing monthly financial reports, filing reports with regulatory agencies, managing financial risks and controls, completing reconciliations, managing cash, preparing financial statements for audits, conducting financial analyses, and making presentations to organization executives and Board members. The Controller works within a team environment, including Accounting staff, other agency controllers, Finance staff, and HH leadership and staff. The Controller reports directly to the Heartland Alliance Chief Accounting Officer, and has a responsibility to serve the Heartland Housing Executive Director.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Controller
- Lead and oversee the activities of the accounting staff to ensure the accurate and timely processing of all transaction cycles; Maintain an organizational structure and staffing to effectively accomplish the accounting team’s goals and objectives
- Consolidate the financial activities of Heartland Housing and its general and limited partnerships on a quarterly and annual basis
- Lead the calendar and fiscal year-end audits and tax reporting for Heartland Housing
- Member of Heartland Housing leadership team responsible for the development and achievement of strategic goals and objectives.
- Advise the Executive Director of HH and the Real Estate development team on complex real estate development projects and be intimately involved in relevant transactions, from project conception through negotiation
- Manage the selection, training, development, and performance evaluation of accounting staff
- Maintain financial records in compliance with generally accepted accounting principles
- Maintain the accounting records of the real estate limited partnerships and assist the property managers with financial and tenant reports on a timely basis
- Ensure timely completion and distribution of accurate financial records, monthly operating statements, financial reports, and analyses; make adjustments as necessary and highlight areas of concern
- Prepare monthly financial critical indicator reports for executive and program management highlighting significant budget to actual variances and associated financial risks, detailed analyses of accounts receivable, financial forecasts, and other key financial insights
- Present financial reports and analyses to organization executives and Board members
- Provide program personnel with financial information sufficient to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal budgetary, contractual, and reporting requirements; Effectively work with program personnel by providing timely financial information and analysis through group and individual meetings
- Prepare financial statements and schedules in support of the annual audit and government and other regulatory agency audits; Effectively manage relations with auditors and regulatory agencies
- Supports new real estate projects through coordination and approval of development and operating budgets to ensure compliance with tax credit and affordable housing financing requirements.
- Responsible for coordination of construction accounting and construction draw process with lenders and investors.
- Manages third party accountants in timely and accurate provision of cost certification, placed in service and 8609 requirements related to tax credit certification.
- Assist with preparation of program budgets in accordance with Federal, State and local guidelines
- Manage cash balances, including escrow and special purpose cash accounts required for regulatory and lending compliance
- Review and approve account reconciliations in a timely manner
- Protect organizational financial assets by establishing, implementing, monitoring, and enforcing internal controls.
- Overhaul outdated processes and procedures, accountabilities, communication and engage in systemic problem solving
- Establish or recommend to management, economic strategies, objectives, and financial policies
- Establish relationships with banks and other financial institutions
- Collaborate with banking partners to provide financial solutions to high interest debt service from the project level.
- Other duties may be assigned
Treasury Management
- Responsible for all aspects of cash management including cash forecasting, credit agreements, risk management, and internal controls for Heartland Housing
- Evaluate and recommend cash management initiatives, changes to bank relationships and day-to-day Treasury operations
- Monitor and manage company’s daily cash position
- Manage accounting transactions in treasury areas
- Evaluate complex structured transactions and advise senior management on financial risk and other implications
- Participate in organization-wide strategic projects with a specific focus on financial analysis
- Identify and evaluate the organization’s risk areas and provide key input to the development of internal controls
- Develop and maintain relationships with banks
- Other duties may be assigned
Supervisory Responsibilities:
Manages the department staff and is responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of the staff. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Education and/or Experience: Masters degree in Accounting/Finance/Business and 5 years progressive relevant experience or Bachelors degree in Accounting/Finance/Business and 8 years progressive relevant experience. Experience in real estate accounting, construction and project accounting. Experience in tax credit and affordable housing financing and Certified Public Accountant is strongly preferred. Experience with Yardi software is strongly preferred.
- Language Skills: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret accounting principles, government regulations, financial reports, and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or questions from management, staff, Board members, auditors, and regulatory agencies. Ability to prepare and write narratives for financial analyses that conform to prescribed style and format in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Ability to effectively present information to top management, staff, and Board members.
- Mathematical Skills: Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations. Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference.
- Reasoning Ability: Strong analytical ability required. Ability to identify problems, ask questions, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
- Computer Skills: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to use Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel. The individual must have knowledge of fund accounting software, Blackbaud Financial Edge preferred. It is strongly desired that the individual have knowledge of Microsoft PowerPoint software.
Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- The employee is regularly required to talk or hear.
- The employee is frequently required to sit and use hands to key, handle, or feel.
- The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk and reach with hands and arms.
Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Heartland Alliance makes all hiring and employment decisions, and operates all programs, services, and functions without regard to race, receipt of an order of protection, creed, color, age, gender, gender identity, marital or parental status, religion, ancestry, national origin, amnesty, physical or mental disability, protected veterans status, genetic information, sexual orientation, immigrant status, political affiliation or belief, use of FMLA, VESSA, military, and family military rights, ex-offender status (depending on the offense and position to be filled), unfavorable military discharge, membership in an organization whose primary purpose is the protection of civil rights or improvement of living conditions and human relations, height, weight, or HIV infection, in accord with the organization’s AIDS Policy Statement of September 1987.
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