🚀 Controller

Wah Mei School is the first Chinese American bilingual school to be established in San Francisco. Since our first class in 1974, our preschool program successfully promotes multiculturalism in developmental activities that emphasize both learning and playing for our participants. Our mission is to provide a safe and nurturing high‑quality Chinese‑English bi/trilingual multicultural environment that promotes children’s development while building a supportive community for their families. Our programs now include Early Care & Education, Before and Afterschool, Weekend Chinese Classes, and Summer Programs at multiple sites.

About the role

The Controller has oversight of the organization’s accounting operations, finances, and financial strategy, ensuring compliance with regulations like GAAP and grant requirements.

Key responsibilities

Key responsibilities include overseeing budgets, grants, audits, payroll, and financial reporting, providing accurate financial data for leadership and boards, and implementing robust internal financial controls.

This role is vital for maintaining financial health, transparency, and a strong financial foundation for the organization’s mission. In working with their team, the Controller will be responsible for the day‑to‑day administrative duties (ie: office management, phone, emails, office supplies/machines), and accounting/finance (ie: A/R, A/P, monthly/quarterly/annual reports, etc).

This position will work closely with the Executive Director, our leadership team of department heads, and the agency’s Board of Directors. Wah Mei is a 75‑person organization with program services at five (5) sites and maintains a budget of approximately $7M.

What you’ll do

Fiscal

• Provide vision, leadership, and direction of the Finance & Administration team in support of the agency’s program areas.
• Oversight of agency’s accounting and fiscal operations, including but not limited to: A/R, A/P, regular financial reports, bank reconciliation, local and State filings, etc.
• Oversight of the agency’s business operations, including but not limited to: Property Tax Exemption filing, business licenses, liability insurance, etc.
• Direct, manage, coordinate, and review all accounting functions, including financial reporting, accounts receivable/billing, accounts payable, and federal/state/city reporting requirements.
• Ensure the highest standards of integrity in financial reports, including compliance requirements; stay abreast of regulatory developments and industry best practices.
• Produce timely and accurate financial reports for different stakeholders, including internal managers, the board of directors, and the Executive Leadership team.
• Hire, mentor, and train accounting team members; develop goals, conduct performance appraisals, and provide guidance and feedback.
• Update and maintain a documented system of accounting policies and procedures; educate agency staff to ensure compliance with established policies and procedures.
• Work with and train department leaders to ensure that they have accurate information and skills to manage their department budget and financial goals.
• Manage agency cash flow, including weekly and monthly reporting.
• Coordinate and lead all audit activities, including annual financial and contract audits, and timely submission of all required filings.
• Interact effectively with financial vendors, including banking services, funders and auditors.
• Work with the Executive Director to set budgets, monitor expenses, provide financial models, and explore projects/program expansions and efficiencies.
• In working with the Audit Committee and 3rd‑party Accountant, oversee the agency’s annual financial audit.
• Monthly financial reporting to key stakeholders including but not limited to: leadership team, board of directors, finance committee, grantors, foundation funders, and local and state funders.

Administration

• Oversight of daily administrative operations, including but not limited to: Office Management.
• Interface with the Board of Directors Finance Committee, and the Audit Committee.
• In collaboration with the HR department, process regular payroll in a timely manner.
• Work with the HR Department to continue, explore, and enhance the agency’s employee benefits by providing fiscal models and/or providing alternatives.
• Supervise, support, recruit/hire/screen staff to conduct all duties above.
• Serve on the agency’s Leadership team; liaise between program, operations, and admin, as warranted.
• Help to establish Wah Mei School as a community asset, liaison, and anchor institution committed to serving children and families in the context of the Sunset n’hood, as needed.
• Seek efficiencies to enhance the agency’s effectiveness to serve children, youth, and families.
• Assist and support agency special projects and program events (ie: holiday dinner, Spring Gala, Meet & Greet Picnic, etc), as needed.
• Assist, support, and attend special projects and program events (ie: Chinese New Year, cultural celebrations, festivals, special events, etc), as warranted.
• Attend trainings, workshops, and management, team, and staff meetings as required.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Five (5) year director level experience in non‑profit accounting, finance, administration, and Business Management.
• Extensive experience in working in non‑profit settings and with non‑profit accounting principles.
• Experience in management and leadership level position in community‑based organization non‑profit setting.
• Analytical & Communication Skills: Strong ability to analyze financial data and clearly communicate complex financial information to various stakeholders.
• Compliance Knowledge: In‑depth knowledge of GAAP, IRS Form 990, and other relevant federal, state, and local grant regulations.
• Experience and/or working knowledge of HR (People Operations), helpful.
• Flexible and ability to work with a variety of staff team members and business vendors.
• Ability to work independently and maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality.
• Effective written, oral, and verbal communication with staff and vendors.
• Detail oriented and ability to concurrently manage various topics, activities, events, programs, etc.
• Expressed interest and active engagement in support of the agency’s mission, programs, activities, and events.
• Bilingual or trilingual (Cantonese, Mandarin, English) language, preferred.
• Ability to occasionally lift up to 40 pounds.

Education

• Bachelors in Accounting, Finance, Information Technology, Business Management, and or related fields. Experience may substitute for formal education.