Organization: New City Public Schools
Job Title: Controller
Location: Long Beach

Posted: 3/24/08

BACKGROUND

New City Public Schools (NCPS) is a fast-growing network of innovative public charter schools located in high-need Los Angeles County communities. Founded in 1999 by two former Teach for America corps members (with the support of a concerned group of parents and educators), NCPS opened its doors in 2000 to 80 students in grades K-3. Today, NCPS serves 360 K-8 students at its two campuses located near downtown Long Beach and has become a model for urban K-8 learning in the 21st century.

Now in its eighth year of operation, NCPS is supported by an annual budget of $3.6 million and 53 deeply dedicated faculty members. The student body is 70% Latino and represents over 10 nationalities. Over 65 percent of the student body qualifies for the federal free- and reduced-price lunch program. NCPS hopes to broaden its reach by opening a high school in the summer of 2008 and two additional K-8 campuses by 2011.

NCPS, like all charter schools, is a tuition-free, public school governed by a board of directors. All charter schools are publicly funded, nonprofit organizations. They must enroll students through a blind lottery and operate under the terms of a performance contract or “charter.” Charter schools enjoy greater freedom from state and local regulations than traditional public schools. In return for programmatic flexibility and autonomy, however, charter schools are held accountable for their performance and can have their charter revoked for poor results.

Like many other charter schools, NCPS is a mission-driven, entrepreneurial organization that promotes a culture of high expectations and academic achievement for all students. However, NCPS has several programmatic aspects that make it unique including:

• A dual language (Spanish/English) immersion program
• An academic curriculum based on Jean Piaget’s “constructivism” theory
• A heavy focus on cultural awareness and the performing and creative arts

The unique approach of NCPS has led to impressive results and accolades including:

• Recognition by USC School of Education for promising practices
• Recognition by Long Beach City Council for Community Improvement
• Selection by the Charter School Growth Fund for funding expansion

Additional information about NCPS can be found at www.thenewcityschool.org.

OPPORTUNITY

The new Controller will play a critical part in supporting NCPS as it manages its growing network of schools. In this “hands on” role, the Controller will serve as a key member of the senior team, providing advice and counsel on both long-term strategy and day-to-day financial operations to the management team and the Board of Directors. H/she will have fiscal oversight of a $3.6 million annual operating budget and be responsible for creating a financial infrastructure that can support NCPS as it grows into a $15 – 20M organization. The Controller will report to the Chief Operating Officer and oversee a small team including an accountant and a bookkeeper.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Controller will be responsible for the following:

• Maintaining a system of internal controls and accounting that will ensure accurate reporting and recordkeeping are in compliance with all relevant laws.
• Compiling and analyzing financial data
• Preparing regular financial reports for the CEO, COO, CAO, the Board, Site Leaders and third parties, including comparisons to budget, trends, and ratios with analyses and recommendations as needed.
• Managing the budgeting process, including working with sites to develop annual budgets and utilizing approved budgets for reporting during the year.
• Managing cash, including preparation of bank reconciliations and recommending opportunities for improved cash flows
• Maintaining accurate accounting records for each site
• Preparing for external audits and serve as liaison to auditors
• Maintaining accurate inventory of all assets
• Maintaining reconciliations of balance sheet accounts, including supporting documentation as required by auditors
• Providing guidance to management with respect to making sound business decisions
• Providing budget training to site leaders
• Ensuring accurate and timely filing of tax returns as required by tax authorities
• Monitoring cash flows and balances on a regular basis
• Monthly closes
• Working with Los Angeles County to ensure all revenues are received timely and are accurate
• Preparing consolidated applications and other required compliance forms as required by CDE and other third parties
• Periodically reviewing processes to ensure that accounting policies and procedures are being followed
• Completion of loan, grant applications as needed
• Preparing 1099’s
• Overseeing accounts receivable, accounts payable and purchasing, including maintenance of vendor relationships
• Overseeing payroll, including assurance that time sheets are accurate and all earnings and withholdings are in accordance with employee contracts and government laws. Also ensuring accurate and timely reporting of retirement contributions to Los Angeles County
• Providing guidance and support to accounting staff and site personnel as needed

QUALIFICATIONS

• Knowledge of finance, accounting, budgeting, and cost control principles including Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and Fund accounting
• Knowledge of automated financial and accounting reporting systems
• Ability to provide professional written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills
• BS in Accounting or Finance; CMA, CPA or MBA preferred
• A minimum of five years relevant accounting experience
• Proficiency with accounting software, MS Office and Excel
• Excellent financial and organizational skills
• Solid analytical, communication, influencing and negotiating skills
• Ability to communicate and cooperatively work with a diverse group of people in a dynamic, growing organization
• Experience or interest in working in urban public education

TO APPLY

Please email your resume to:

Mollie Mitchell
President
The K12 Search Group, Inc.
mmitchell@k12searchgroup.com

NCPS is an affirmative action employer with a fundamental commitment to diversity in its workforce and a culture that opposes any form of discrimination based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation or disability.