About the Role

Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corporation (DBEDC) is seeking a Controller to lead DBEDCs accounting operations and strengthen the finance function in a fast-paced, high-growth environment. The Controller will manage day-to-day accounting, oversee a team of three, and ensure financial processes are accurate, scalable, and aligned with GAAP and nonprofit best practices.

DBEDC operates primarily on an accrual basis under FASB standards. The successful candidate must have strong experience in accrual-based nonprofit accounting, including revenue recognition, receivables, liabilities, net assets with donor restrictions, and audit preparation.

This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who excels at operational excellence, system improvements, staff mentoring, and maintaining compliance and accountability across a multi-entity organization.

What you can expect to do in the role:

Lead Accrual-Based Accounting Across a Complex Organization

• Ensure all financial activity across DBEDC and its related nonprofit, lending, real estate, and special-purpose entities is recorded in full compliance with GAAP and FASB standards.
• Enforce accrual accounting as the governing methodology for financial statements, audits, budgets, revenue recognition, and management reporting.
• Review and approve payroll and journal entries, ensuring proper timing, classification, and entity-level accuracy.
• Monitor daily general ledger activity to identify errors, inconsistencies, or breakdowns in controls.

Own Month-End Close, Reconciliations & Financial Reporting

• Lead a disciplined, on-time month-end close for all entities.
• Ensure all balance sheet and income statement accounts are fully reconciled and supported.
• Prepare complete accrual-based financial statements, including budget-to-actual reporting, by the 15th of each month.
• Translate complex accrual financials into clear, decision-ready insights for the CEO, COO, Department Heads, and Board.

Oversee Audit, Compliance & Internal Controls

• Lead annual financial and compliance audits under FASB, ensuring clean outcomes with no material weaknesses or audit adjustments.
• Ensure audit readiness year-round through strong documentation, reconciliations, and control discipline.
• Maintain and annually update the Accounting Policies & Procedures Manual, clearly documenting accrual methodologies and internal controls.
• Serve as the finance policy owner for Audit/Finance Committee review and Board adoption.

Manage Real Estate, Lending & Special-Purpose Entity Accounting

• Ensure real estate development, asset management, and operating activity is properly capitalized, expensed, or accrued in accordance with GAAP.
• Review and record financial activity related to real estate closings, including recoverable and non-recoverable costs.
• Oversee loan portfolio accounting, including interest receivable, repayments, and reconciliations.
• Ensure all Special Purpose Entities (SPEs) are financially accurate, reconciled, and audit-ready.

Support Budgeting, Forecasting & Resource Development

• Oversee annual budgeting using accrual-based assumptions across all entities.
• Ensure alignment between budgets, forecasts, cost allocation, and financial reporting.
• Support grant proposal budgets and accrual-based financial narratives.
• Provide accurate, consistent financial reports to internal and external stakeholders.

Optimize Systems, Processes & Controls

• Lead accrual-focused optimization of Sage Intacct.
• Reduce manual workarounds that undermine accuracy or audit readiness.
• Ensure strong documentation, audit trails, and continuity across systems and processes.

Lead, Develop & Advise

• Manage and develop Finance staff, setting clear expectations for performance, accountability, and growth.
• Foster a culture of accuracy, learning, and results.
• Serve as a trusted financial advisor to leadership and the Board, exercising sound judgment in complex accounting decisions.

Qualifications What Success Requires

Mission & Values Alignment

• Commitment to DBEDCs mission and understanding of racial equity in affordable housing & community development.
• Ownership mindset with the ability to deliver high-quality work and understand its impact on residents and the organization.
• Comfort navigating change and proposing innovative solutions.

Technical Expertise

• 8 years of progressive accounting experience, preferably in a nonprofit, CDFI, or multi-entity environment
• Demonstrated experience with multi-entity general ledger accounting, including cash, receivables, liabilities, debt, and net assets with donor restrictions
• Strong proficiency in month-end close, including preparation and review of reconciliations and journal entries
• Hands-on experience with grant and contract accounting, including revenue recognition, billing, allowable cost tracking, and compliance documentation
• Experience reconciling loan portfolios, interest receivable, and lending activity, preferably within a CDFI or lending organization
• Advanced working knowledge of FASB, & GAAP, internal controls, and audit readiness standards
• High proficiency with accounting systems, preferably Sage Intacct; experience with comparable loan management systems strongly preferred
• Strong Excel skills, including use of formulas, pivot tables, and reconciliation tools
• Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Excellent time management and ability to work effectively in deadline-driven environments

Leadership & Collaboration Skills

• 3 years managing and developing teams across multiple functions, with a focus on accountability and measurable results.
• Ability to give and receive constructive feedback in service of shared goals.
• Proven ability to own complex accounting processes and meet firm deadlines with minimal supervision
• Demonstrated success collaborating cross-functionally with internal teams
• Ability to identify discrepancies, escalate issues promptly, and follow through to resolution
• Experience supporting Finance staff during close, audits, and reporting cycles
• Willingness to contribute to process improvement, documentation standards, and system enhancements

Communication & Interpersonal Skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present financial informati…