Controller

Who we are:

Trellis Company is a nonprofit 501(c)3 corporation focused on helping people leverage the power of post-secondary education and learning to improve their quality of life and the communities where they live.

For more than 40 years Trellis has served as a student loan guarantor, helping to provide trusted guidance and services that help student borrowers successfully repay their federal loans. In addition to pioneering several technologies and services along the way, we have invested in improving student success programs through numerous grants to colleges, universities, and research groups.

Today we have expanded our services beyond higher education to include working with employers and community organizations who are focused on aligning the dreams, goals, and skills needs of employees and employers. Connecting these resources and learning pathways together with our expertise in improving student outcomes helps us all to create better and more predictable futures for those we serve.

Our stability and vision create a unique intersection: a startup environment at a company that also has a stable foundation, resulting in an opportunity for the right candidate to help shape our company's future. This is an exciting time to join the Trellis team!

As we move into the future, we're drawing on our history, branching into new sectors beyond student loans, and delivering the same level of exceptional care and service that our customers have come to depend on. We remain invested in the success of students and higher education institutions. This combination of stability and vision creates a unique intersection: a startup environment at a company that also has a stable foundation, resulting in an opportunity for the right candidate to help shape our company's future. This is an exciting time to join the Trellis team!

Who you are:

You are an experienced and forward-thinking accounting leader who brings deep expertise in GAAP, financial reporting, internal controls, and complex operational finance. You excel at managing diverse accounting functions, guiding teams, and ensuring accuracy, integrity, and compliance across all financial operations. You thrive in dynamic environments where analytical insight, strategic thinking, and process improvement are essential.

A collaborative partner to executive leadership, you use technology including AI enhanced tools and ERP systems to drive efficiency, strengthen reporting, and support informed decision making. You are a self-starter with exceptional attention to detail, strong communication skills, and a commitment to developing talent and fostering effective teamwork. Above all, you bring sound judgment, professionalism, and a passion for strengthening the financial foundation of an organization.

JOB SUMMARY

As a senior member of the Financial Services team, the Controller plays a vital role in overseeing financial operations, ensuring regulatory and reporting compliance, and providing strategic direction and insight. The Controller reports to and works collaboratively with the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to uphold the integrity of financial records in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), maintain an effective internal control structure and leverage artificial intelligence tools for enhanced financial and data analysis, automation, and decision-making.

Guide the annual financial audits, federal and state tax return preparation, management reporting, quarterly Board reports, subsidiary accounting and reporting, and implementation of new accounting guidance. The position works closely with executive leadership team to provide timely, useful financial information for decision making.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The position incumbent is expected to perform the following essential duties and responsibilities of the position with reasonable accommodation.

• Partner with the CFO to identify efficiencies, and implement process improvements, and assist in implementing new policies and procedures.
• Manage monthly/quarterly/annual close process and ensure tasks are completed in accordance with established timelines and requirements.
• Facilitate the refinement/enhancement of financial reports for the organization and its subsidiaries.
• Direct daily accounting and finance operations, ensure data integrity and accuracy, and maximize efficiency without compromising completeness and accuracy.
• Maintain the corporate general ledger, prepare, review, and approve GAAP compliant monthly and quarterly financial statements, and annual reports and audits.
• Provide technical expertise regarding GAAP reporting requirements, research accounting issues and prepare technical memorandum.
• Exercise sound judgment when reviewing assumptions used in financial projections, modeling scenarios, and computation of estimates and projections.
• Participate in the budget process, variance analysis, and financial, management and ad hoc reporting.
• Provide business units with guidance and support, including business unit specific reporting and analysis on a routine and / or ad hoc basis.
• Provide technical accounting and guidance for new ventures.
• Provide daily oversight for operational accounting functions and ensure completeness and accuracy of all customer account activity.
• Manage daily cash processing activity and authorize release of funds. Monitor cash flow projections and evaluate investment timing based on liquidity needs.
• Optimize use of the company's ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) software, ensuring efficiency, automation, and resource utilization.
• Serve as primary liaison for internal and external audits, prepare, guide, and coordinate audit work paper completion.
• Identify financial accounting risks and internal control weaknesses, develop/implement mitigation strategies, and monitor compliance.
• Evaluate and implement process improvements, including identifying business requirements for new automated solutions and opportunities for AI efficiencies.
• Provide excellent customer service to internal and external customers.
• Prepare and deliver financial presentations to management and Board members.

Supervisor Responsibility

• Ensure compliance with state and federal regulatory requirements and professional standards.
• Guide reporting team in preparing GAAP consolidated financial statements, review statements and supporting documentation to verify completeness, accuracy, cutoff, valuation, rights & obligations, presentation & disclosure.
• Manage and coordinate a team of accounting professionals across various accounting functions and nurture strong internal relationships and seamless collaboration within the Financial Services team.
• Manage department personnel related issues including work schedule, performance evaluations, and position evaluations.

NON-ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support departmental functions and assist with special projects.
• Must be available to work flexible hours.
• Contribute to the development of strategic initiatives.
• Work closely with all levels of management to facilitate efficient and effective company-wide operation.
• Participate in training and other learning opportunities to ensure compliance and expand knowledge of company, position, and process.

COMPETENCIES

• Action Oriented
• Builds Effective Teams
• Business Insight
• Collaborates
• Communicates Effectively
• Compliance
• Consulting
• Customer Focus
• Decision Quality
• Demonstrates Self-Awareness
• Develops Talent
• Directs Work
• Diversity Focused
• Drives Results
• Ensures Accountability
• Financial Acumen
• Interpersonal Savvy
• Organizational Savvy
• Relationship Management
• Resourcefulness
• Self-Development
• Situational Adaptability
• Strategic Mindset
• Tech Savvy

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrated ability to maintain the highest degree of accuracy, integrity, and confidentiality.
• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills with a high level of accuracy, even under pressure.
• Background in building and maintaining complex, automated reporting processes.
• Experience working with large amounts of data and complex data environments.
• Strong interpersonal skills; must be able to build effective relationships with all levels of management.
• Ability to work under pressure, manage multiple projects, and consistently meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated a high level of attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to comprehend and communicate applicable laws and regulations.
• Self-starter requiring minimal management direction and oversight/driven/self-motivated.
• Strong verbal and written communication, presentation, and organizational skills.
• Advanced Microsoft applications skills including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook.
• Knowledge of and curiosity for artificial intelligence applications.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting or related field.

Preferred:

• Master's Degree in Finance or Accounting.

Experience

Required:

• Seven (7) years' experience in financial analysis, reporting, accounting experience
• Five (5) years' experience in supervisory experience
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

Preferred:

• NetSuite Experience
• Knowledge and application of artificial intelligence.
• Tableau

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS

• Occasionally must move about inside the office.
• Repetitive motion. Regularly operates a computer, phone, and general office equipment.
• Regularly required to handle, feel, grasp objects, and reach across a work area.
• Regularly communicates with other employees and on the phone, virtually, or in person with clients. Regularly converses with internal and external contacts.
• Visual acuity. Regularly must have close visual acuity to view and enter information into computer and software systems, analyze data, develop presentations and reports, and other materials.
• Mental focus. Requires worker to maintain focus and exchange detailed and accurate information through oral and written communication.
• Must be able to provide presentations and services to various management and employees in a variety of business and work settings.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Work may be conducted remotely or in an office with a surrounding small cubicle environment.
• Office work environment is climate controlled with no substantial exposure to adverse environmental conditions.

CAREER PROGRESSION ROLES

List possible positions the employee(s) could move into as a next step.

• Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

• Salary $145,630.00-$224,047.00
• Corporate Annual Incentive: This position is eligible for a corporate annual incentive, subject to the discretion and approval of the Board of Directors and not guaranteed.
• Paid Holidays: 11 holidays + 1 floating holiday per year
• Comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, vision, and retirement plans.