Controller - Main Office - Full-time / Part-time

Job Title: Controller

Reports to: Chief Financial & Administrative Officer 

Department: Finance

Location: New York, NY

Job Type: Full-time 9am-5pm (hours may vary) 

Salary Range: 105K -125K

Position Type: This is a full-time position. Lantern staff may be asked to alter their work schedule depending on the needs of the department.

Objective: The Controller will be responsible for maintaining sound accounting policies and procedures, implementing internal controls, and ensuring the accuracy and compliance of financial reporting. This role involves financial analysis, budget management, and system oversight to support organizational performance and compliance.

Key Responsibilities:

• Accounting & Controls: Maintain accounting systems, policies, and procedures; implement controls to minimize risk.
• Financial Reporting: Oversee the preparation of financial reports, account (s) analysis, and accounting schedules, in compliance with accounting standards.
• Process Improvement: Review and improve financial accounting processes and systems for efficiency and compliance.
• Internal Controls: Review internal controls and security of automated accounting applications.
• System Analysis & Implementation: Analyze and recommend improvements to accounting systems; manage the procurement, development, and implementation of new systems.
• Stakeholder Communication: Prepare and present evaluations, proposals, and recommendations to executive leadership.
• Technical Documentation: Prepare specifications and user manuals for computerized accounting systems.
• Budgeting & Financial Analysis: Produce annual budgets and forecasts; report budget variances; provide financial analysis for capital investments, pricing decisions, and contract negotiations.
• Audit & Compliance: Collaborate with external auditors; ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations; file required reports with the oversight agencies and external stakeholders.

Required Education and Experience: Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The ideal candidate will possess strong financial proficiency and demonstrate extensive experience managing government-funded programs. A minimum of five (5) years of progressive experience in accounting, financial management, and nonprofit operations is required.

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited school required.
• Minimum of five (5) years of accounting and financial management experience required.
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience in a nonprofit organization required.
• Strong financial and analytical skills with excellent attention to detail and organizational abilities
• Results-driven, with the ability to balance strategic thinking and hands-on execution effectively.

Supervisory Responsibility: Yes

Work Environment: This job operates out of the Main Office (Midtown Manhattan) with occasional travel to other sites within NYC.  

Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, stoop, climb stairs and/ or kneel. Occasionally the employee will have to lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.

Note: Lantern Community Services provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. Lantern Community Services (Lantern) values the diversity of all our clients, staff, Board of Directors, and partners.  By bringing diverse individuals and viewpoints together, we create more vibrant, healthy and just communities.