The Role
Your role at a glance
The Controller is a full-time, exempt role reporting to the Chief Operating Officer. This working leadership role manages CPM’s core financial operations, financial reporting, and regulatory compliance.
The Controller is responsible for timely and accurate financial reporting to the Executive Director, budget managers, and Board of Directors.
- Pay
- $127,000 to $155,000 / yrDepending on experience
- Schedule
- Full-time, exempt
- Location
- Fully remoteSacramento, CA
- Department
- Business/Finance
- Reports to
- Chief Operating Officer
- To apply
- Cover letter required
Day-to-Day
Your contributions
Accounting, Reporting and Budgeting
Lead CPM’s close, financial statements, and annual budget.
- Accounting and close. Oversee the general ledger, accounts payable, and accounts receivable processes, and lead the monthly and year-end close, including journal entries, account reconciliations, balance sheet analysis, and fixed asset schedules in accordance with GAAP.
- Financial reporting. Prepare accurate monthly and annual financial statements and reports for leadership and the Board of Directors.
- Finance and Investment Committees. Serve as a committee member, preparing materials for meetings and ensuring minutes are prepared and distributed.
- Budgeting and analysis. Lead the annual budget process, develop and maintain long-range forecasts, monitor actual results against budget, and provide variance analysis and other insights.
Payroll, Compensation and Team
Keep payroll accurate and compliant and develop the accounting and payroll team.
- Payroll oversight and compliance. Supervise payroll processing and ensure payroll is accurate and compliant in every state and local jurisdiction where CPM has employees; oversee state and local tax registrations; stay current on changing requirements.
- Wage determination. Work closely with Human Resources to determine wage offers for new hires and promotions.
- Retirement plan administration. Partner with Human Resources on the 401(k) plan, including day-to-day administration, the annual plan audit, and compliance requirements.
- Team leadership and support. Hire, train, and develop accounting and payroll employees, provide regular feedback, complete performance reviews, and train non-finance employees on financial systems and processes.
Controls, Compliance and Risk
Protect CPM’s assets and keep its practices compliant.
- Internal controls. Develop, document, and monitor internal controls and fiscal policies that protect CPM’s assets.
- Audit and compliance. Coordinate the annual audit and keep accounting practices compliant with GAAP, IRS rules, and federal, state, and local requirements, including multi-state sales tax.
- Insurance and risk. Manage all insurance policies, including liability, workers’ compensation, management liability, cyber risk, and professional liability, including renewals, premium audits, and keeping coverage current as the organization changes.
Cash, Systems and Special Projects
Manage cash and banking and own CPM’s accounting configuration.
- Cash management. Manage cash flow and banking relationships, and reconcile cash and investment accounts.
- Systems. Own the chart of accounts and accounting configuration within the ERP, and approve system changes that affect the general ledger. Partner with Business Operations on technical administration and integrations with other CPM systems, and recommend process improvements.
- Special projects. Lead special projects and other duties as assigned.
How the Role Works
Reporting and decision making
Reporting & collaboration
Reports to
The Chief Operating Officer. The Controller partners closely with the Executive Director and Deputy Executive Director, who share oversight of financial matters.
Direct reports
Accounts payable and payroll employees.
Lateral leadership
Works closely with the Chief Academic Officer, Chief Technology Officer, Director of Revenue, and Director of Business Operations on budgets, spending, and resource planning for their areas.
Key collaborators
The Executive Leadership Team, department leaders, Human Resources, the Board of Directors, and external auditors.
Autonomy & decision making
Decide and loop people in
Owns CPM’s accounting and financial operations, including the close process, financial procedures, and accounts payable and payroll team priorities. Decides independently on day-to-day financial matters within approved budgets and on accounting treatment, and approves changes that affect the general ledger.
Informs the COO of material issues and coordinates with the Director of Business Operations on operational changes that affect financial data.
Elevate, align, and drive
Aligns with the Chief Operating Officer, Executive Director, and Deputy Executive Director to ensure financial policies, internal controls, and accounting systems provide timely, relevant information and reports to internal stakeholders, the Board of Directors, and auditors.
Suggest and share input
Offers input on organization-wide strategy, major investments, and technology and resource decisions owned by the C-level positions.
Job Level
Executive Leadership Team
In CPM’s Competency Model, this role sits at the Executive Leadership Team level, defined by three core competencies.
Building high-performing teams
Hires talent whose strengths fit the work and builds a collaborative team that consistently meets its goals.
Allocating and managing resources
Manages CPM’s financial resources and the team’s capacity to keep work moving.
Setting vision and direction
Sets a clear, mission-aligned direction for CPM’s financial operations with measurable results.
What You Bring
Background and expertise
Requirements
Education and experience
Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field. CPA preferred; MBA a plus. 10+ years of progressive accounting experience, preferably in a nonprofit setting, including experience supervising a small team.
Experience and knowledge
- Strong knowledge of GAAP and nonprofit accounting, with experience in accounting software and advanced Google Workspace skills
- Experience with a mid-market ERP or accounting system comparable to Sage 100, such as Sage Intacct, NetSuite, or Microsoft Dynamics (experience limited to QuickBooks or similar entry-level software is not sufficient)
- Experience with inventory management and cost accounting for cost of goods sold in a publishing or educational materials environment, including outsourced printing and fulfillment, capitalized content development costs, and deferred revenue (SaaS experience a plus)
- Working knowledge of multi-state payroll tax and sales tax compliance
- Experience with Paylocity or a comparable payroll platform, such as ADP or Paycor
- Experience managing cash and banking activity, including online banking platforms, ACH payments, and wire transfers, with strong controls to prevent fraud and errors
- Experience preparing the Form 990 and supporting nonprofit audits
- Comfort presenting financial information to a board or finance committee
Nice to have
Reporting tools
Experience with Tableau or a comparable reporting and data visualization tool, such as Power BI.
Key competencies
Integrity and discretion
Maintains strict confidentiality and exercises discretion when handling sensitive financial, payroll, and personnel information. High level of integrity, accuracy, and attention to detail, with a commitment to CPM’s mission.
Organization and communication
Exceptional time management and organizational skills, with the ability to meet firm close and reporting deadlines. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to explain financial information clearly to non-finance colleagues.
Language, math, and reasoning
Fluency in English and the ability to communicate successfully with coworkers. Advanced ability to apply accounting and financial math, including percentages, ratios, depreciation, variances, and forecasts. Ability to analyze complex financial information, solve problems, and make sound decisions.
Computer skills
Experience with accounting software, payroll systems, online banking platforms, and Google Workspace. Ability to learn new software quickly.
Certificates and licenses
A current driver’s license and proof of auto insurance are required if driving for work.
Physical demands
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit or stand at a computer; use legs to stand and walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds, climb or balance, and stoop, kneel, and crouch.
Accommodations
To thrive in this role, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty and responsibility satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Your Well-Being at Work
A comprehensive benefits package
CPM supports employee well-being and financial security with coverage and time off designed for the whole person.
Medical, Dental, Vision
Partial premium coverage for employees and dependents, with an HDHP paired with an HSA. Dental and vision through pre-tax payroll deductions.
Life and Disability
Term life and long-term disability insurance. Optional short-term disability through post-tax payroll deductions.
Additional Coverage
Accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity plans through post-tax payroll deductions.
HSA and FSA
Employer contributions to the HSA with voluntary employee funding. FSA for pre-tax eligible expenses.
Paid Leave
Generous sick leave for all employees. Personal leave for full-time staff, plus volunteerism leave after one year of service.
Paid Parental Leave
Generous paid leave following the birth, adoption, or placement of a child.
Holidays
Major holiday closures plus a full winter break from December 22 to January 4.
401(k) Match
Employer match on employee 401(k) contributions up to 4% once eligible.
Phone and Internet
Flat reimbursement per payroll for phone and internet expenses.
The Extras
Discounts and services for laser vision correction, hearing aids, EAP, teeth whitening, travel assistance, will preparation, legal document drafting, and identity theft protection.
Who We Are
Ready to lead CPM’s finances?
CPM Educational Program’s mission is to empower mathematics students and teachers through exemplary curriculum, professional development, and leadership.
CPM’s teacher-supporting, student-centered, problem-based classroom solutions for grades 6 to 12 foster engagement and equity in the classroom, while CPM strives to cultivate these same values within its workplace culture.
A cover letter is required. Please tell us: what interests you about working for CPM, a nonprofit focused on math education?