Controller

Company: Riverdale Country School
Location: New York City
Posted on: February 16, 2026

Job Description:

Job Description Job Description Riverdale Country School is a Pre-K through grade 12 independent school in New York City committed to empowering lifelong learners by developing minds, building character, and creating community in order to change our world for the good. Riverdale seeks to reflect that belonging is the foundational core of community building in how we work collaboratively and support the school’s mission and empowers all community members to thrive in mind, character, and community. Riverdale enrolls about 1,300 students who collectively reside in 117 different zip codes. We seek to employ people who engage in all aspects of work with a student-centered approach, an open mind, passion, and a willingness to support the greater community. About the Position Riverdale Country School seeks a Controller to lead and strengthen its accounting and financial reporting operations. The Controller will oversee all financial systems and will serve as a strategic and hands-on leader responsible for ensuring the integrity, accuracy, and efficiency of Riverdale’s financial operations, including compliance with GAAP, internal controls, and process improvements. The Controller will manage all accounting functions, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, general ledger, and cash management, and partner closely with senior administrators to provide timely, transparent financial insights. A key member of the school’s finance leadership team, the Controller will collaborate closely with the Assistant Head of School for Strategy and Operations, the Fractional CFO, the Board’s Finance and Audit Committees, and other school leaders. Beyond technical expertise, this leader will model Riverdale’s collaborative and learning-oriented culture, leading with transparency, communication, and inclusivity. The ideal candidate will thrive in a community that honors tradition while embracing innovation and will bring a deep commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Through sound fiscal stewardship, deep collaboration, and values-driven leadership, the Controller will play a critical role in advancing Riverdale’s mission. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Accounting and Financial Operations Oversee all accounting operations, including accounts payable, receivable, general ledger, and cash management, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and alignment with GAAPImprove the preparation of timely, audit-ready financial statements, budgets, and forecasts; establish a consistent monthly and quarterly close rhythm that provides leadership and the Board with real-time insightStrengthen financial systems and internal controls, accounting policies, and compliance systems that safeguard assets and ensure adherence to all regulatory requirementsProactively identify and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency, financial accountability, and risk management across the organizationIn partnership with the Assistant Head of School for Strategy and Operation, co-lead the modernization of financial systems by automating high-volume workflows, improving data integrations, and ensuring tools meet Riverdale’s operational needs across both campusesManage annual audits and maintain strong, transparent relationships with external auditors People Leadership and Development Lead, coach, and develop a team of 5 accounting professionals, fostering a culture of accountability, learning, and shared successClearly communicate goals and expectations, delegate effectively, and ensure team members are empowered and supported to deliver high-quality resultsCultivate an inclusive and collaborative culture that values open communication, trust, and mutual respect and one that invests in the professional development of the finance team Strategic Communication and Cross Team CollaborationIn partnership with the Head of School and the Assistant Head of School for Strategy and Operations, serve as a financial point of contact, communicating complex financial information clearly and confidently to a wide range of stakeholdersBuild strong, collegial relationships across departments, offering guidance that integrates financial insight with mission-driven decision-makingListen actively and engage thoughtfully with peers and leaders, ensuring financial perspectives are understood and aligned with institutional prioritiesClosely work with the Assistant Head of School for Strategy and Operation and other key stakeholders to identify and implement opportunities that enhance operational efficiency and long-term sustainability Who You’ll Work With You will report to the Assistant Head of School for Strategy and Operations. You will supervise a team of five to seven accounting professionals. You will frequently collaborate with the fractional CFO, school leaders, and the Board of Trustees. Required Skills and Experience 10 years of accounting and financial management experience ideally in organizations with budgets of $50M-$100M or multi-entity structuresBrings deep technical expertise in GAAP, audit readiness, and financial reporting with a proven ability to build disciplined monthly and quarterly close processes and ensure compliance with regulations; those with Big 4 accounting experience highly preferred Has a track record of optimizing financial systems and processes, including strengthening internal controls, improving data quality, and reporting efficiency; experience with platforms like Veracross and ADP ideal Strong people coach, mentor, and leader with the ability to assess existing talent and build teams while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continued development A strategic partnership orientation, serving as a trusted advisory and thought partner to senior leaders capable ot turning data into insights that can inform strategic decision making Exceptional analytical and communication skills with the ability to translate complex financial data across a wide array of stakeholders Experience engaging with governing boards or finance committees in settings that demand high accountability, rigor, and professional credibilityHigh standards of judgment, integrity, and discretion, with the capacity to manage change effectively and lead through influence Demonstrated commitment to Riverdale’s mission and values, connecting fiscal responsibility to educational excellence, community stewardship, and long-term institutional health Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field; CPA strongly preferred The only way your application will be considered is by completing the process through the On Ramps link Please do not contact the School. Riverdale Country School seeks diversity in its faculty, staff, and student body. In admission and employment policies and practices, in financial aid and loan programs, and in all its educational programs, Riverdale does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national and ethnic origin, disability, sexual orientation, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, and any other protected categories under applicable law. It is the policy of Riverdale Country School to provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, national and ethnic origin, citizenship, marital status, disability, military status, or any other basis protected by applicable law to all qualified employees and applicants for employment. To apply for this position, please click on the red “Apply for this Job” button. Please submit a resume and cover letter. If there are pronouns we should use in potential future communications, we invite you to share that information with us. For information about this position and all open positions, please visit the Careers page of Riverdale’s website. Benefits of Full Time Work at Riverdale Country School Working at Riverdale Country School is a purposeful and meaningful career choice that comes with many benefits including: Transportation: Shuttle service is available to/from the 242nd St / Broadway subway station. Limited stops are also available near transit hubs in Manhattan including the Metro North Harlem Station and subway lines – 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, N, Q, R, A, B, C, and D. If there is need in the community, we can also run a shuttle from the Henry Hudson Parkway / 246th St bus stop which connects to the 7, 10, and Express Buses to/from Manhattan. Professional Development: A generous professional-development budget provides for conferences, skills training, and onsite training in areas such as mindfulness, coaching, and diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Grants and Stipends: All employees are eligible for Frankel Fellow grants, known as “passion grants,” which pay for enrichment activities. More than 120 grants have been made to faculty and staff since the program started in 2014. Stipends are available for coaching, affinity group facilitation, advising clubs with significant out-of-school time, and chaperoning trips (including global trips!). Sabbatical: Full time teaching faculty are eligible for a sabbatical after 10 years of employment. Health Benefits: Riverdale offers and subsidizes health, dental, and vision insurance. In addition, the school offers a flexible spending account through which employees can use pre-tax dollars to pay for health-related expenses. Retirement: Employees are eligible to join our Defined Contribution retirement plan through TIAA. The school contributes 7% of an employee's annual salary to their retirement account. Vacation: Riverdale Country School has a generous time-off policy for staff in addition to vacations afforded by the school calendar. We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

Keywords: Riverdale Country School, Wayne , Controller, Accounting, Auditing , New York City, New Jersey