Overview

Overview

Ascend is a network of K-12 public charter schools, educating 5,700 students in the school year 2021-2022 across 15 schools in Central Brooklyn. Our mission is to lead our students on a great intellectual journey, providing them with an exceptional education and placing them firmly on the path to success in college and beyond.

Through our rigorous curriculum, we guide our students to think critically and independently and to enjoy education as an end in itself. Our schools foster a positive, non-punitive school culture where students feel connected, empowered, and safe to take academic risks. By offering a rich liberal arts education in a supportive environment, we animate children’s natural sense of curiosity and prepare students to think independently, thrive on their own, and engage the world as informed, responsible citizens.

Ascend is at a pivotal point in its development: Having grown from a network office of seven staff to 80, and from four schools to 15 in eight years, and developing a unique educational and cultural model that is driving ever-increasing academic success. Critical to Ascend’s continued success is strong a strong controller, passionate for our work, and zealous about ensuring that at all times, we drive and meet Ascend’s ambitious financial objectives.

Reporting to the chief financial officer, the controller is responsible for the accounting operations of Ascend and its 16 partner schools with combined operating budgets of approximately $130M. Responsibilities include managing the monthly close for Ascend Learning (AL), Ascend Charter Schools (ACS) and Friends of Ascend (FOA), grants accounting and tracking, compliance, YE audits, accounts receivable, and financial reporting. He or she must ensure accurate accounting records for all entities, monitor and enforce internal financial controls, and produce financial reports and insight on monthly performance.

Responsibilities

Reporting to the chief financial officer, the controller is responsible for the accounting operations of Ascend Learning and its partner schools, including grants accounting and compliance, audit, accounts receivable, and financial reporting. They maintain accurate accounting records, monitors and enforces internal financial controls, and produces financial reports.

Acounting

  • Manages the accounting system
  • Ensures all accounting entries are recorded accurately and on time
  • Conducts monthly reviews of all financial activity: identifies and resolves accounting discrepancies, reconciles intercompany accounts, and records journal entries
  • Provides financial insight on financial performance against budget
  • Ensures all entries are recorded in accordance with GAAP and internal financial policies and procedures
  • Ensures accurate and timely record-keeping and readiness for annual audits
  • Maintains an orderly accounting filing system

Reporting

  • Develops and adheres to a month-end close and reporting process and deadlines
  • Prepares monthly financial reports for all Ascend schools including budget vs. actuals, with year-end projections and causes of major variances
  • Develops financial narrative on results which is presented to both AL and ACS Boards each month
  • Coordinates the preparation of annual audit reports and reviews reports for accuracy
  • Prepares reports due to SUNY authorizer as well as other reporting requirements
  • Prepares ad hoc reports and performs financial analysis as needed

Grants

  • Tracks revenue and expenses for all grants including Title, CSP, IDEA, e-rate, etc. Quarterback reporting requirements with input from others across AL.
  • Tracks and manages revenue and expenses related to Covid stimulus spend associated with ESSERII and ARP grants
  • Develops tracking reports for new grants from private donors and/or foundations

Compliance and Controls

  • Ensures all compliance requirements are met timely and accurately for SUNY authorizer, Department of Education, etc.

Staff and Reporting Relationships

The controller reports to the chief financial officer (CFO). Also reporting to the CFO are the associate director of financial planning and analysis and the managing director of finance who has responsibility for accounts payable, procurement, and payroll. The controller works very closely with both of these positions.

Qualifications

  • Master’s degree in accounting; CPA preferred
  • 10+ years’ experience in accounting roles with progressive experience; non-profit experience is a plus
  • Personal commitment to Ascend’s mission and values
  • Self-starter and problem solver. Enjoys new challenges and can lead accounting and finance team to the next level.
  • Strong research and analytic skills; uncompromising attention to detail
  • Ability to multi-task, work within short time frames, and meet tight deadlines
  • Excellent interpersonal skills, good judgment, and an ability to take direction as well as work independently
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to effectively communicate with a broad stakeholder group
  • Unwavering commitment to the Ascend educational mission
  • Commitment to a culture of collegiality and personal traits including unwavering honesty, maturity, transparency, intelligence, warmth, optimism, and a sense of humor
  • Commitment to transparency in all dealings, exacting ethical standards at all times, and a sensitivity to the level of scrutiny to which Ascend and its schools are subject, as recipients of public funds
  • Professional style that exhibits respect for all members of Ascend’s community and its real estate development partners
  • Strong academic record and recommendations

Compensation

Ascend offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.

Diversity at Ascend

Ascend is committed to building a diverse and inclusive community, both through our hiring practices and our focus on creating a culture and environment where diverse perspectives, ideas, and identities are valued and integrated into our way of working and educating students. Ascend staff represent a wide diversity of racial, socio-economic, gender, religious, and national identities—opening a window to the entire Ascend community on the richness of humanity. We welcome all applicants who share our mission and vision to join us in our deeply consequential work.

Ascend’s Vaccination Policy Statement

To prevent the infection and spread of COVID-19, and protect the health and safety of staff, students, family members, interns, volunteers, and visitors to Ascend’s premises from COVID-19 infection, Ascend requires all staff to provide proof that they are fully vaccinated for the coronavirus. This policy is mandatory except for staff with a documented medical or religious reason for not receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.

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