Financial Strategy & Planning

• Develop and maintain multi-year financial models and forecasts to support the network’s long-term sustainability and strategic growth.
• Ensure effective stewardship of resources to support the student and academic outcomes.
• Provide financial insights and recommendations to inform key decisions, including expansion, staffing, and capital investments.

Budget Development & Management

• Lead the annual budgeting process for both the network and individual schools, ensuring alignment with funding allocations, programmatic needs, and compliance requirements.
• Monitor budget-to-actual performance on a monthly basis, proactively identifying , correcting, and addressing variances.
• Manage cash and philanthropic grants.

Accounting Operations & Internal Controls

• Manage accounting policies, internal controls, and procedures that ensure accurate financial reporting and safeguard organizational assets. Ensure that organization’s FPP manual is followed to fidelity
• Work with CSBM to oversee day-to-day accounting functions, including accounts payable/receivable, payroll, bank reconciliations, and general ledger maintenance.
• Ensure timely month-end and year-end closings in accordance with GAAP and applicable nonprofit standards.

Financial Reporting & Analysis

• Prepare timely and accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements for internal and external stakeholders.
• Present financial reports in clear, accessible language to school leadership, board of directors, and finance committees.
• Analyze financial trends and performance to support strategic decision-making.

Compliance & Audit Readiness

• Ensure full compliance with federal, state, and local financial regulations, including those specific to charter schools and nonprofit organizations.
• Lead and manage the annual financial audit process for all entities within organization, including coordination with external auditors and preparation of required documentation.
• Manage/ oversee the merger of legal entities to meet necessary financial compliance requirements
• Maintain documentation and internal systems to support ongoing compliance and reporting obligations.

Partnership & Collaboration

• Serve as the primary liaison to external financial services providers, including back-office partners (e.g., CSBM), banks, auditors, and government agencies.
• Collaborate with school operations teams to ensure cohesive and efficient financial processes across the network.

‍

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field; CPA or MBA preferred
• Skilled with both Intacct and QuickBooks online
• 10+ years of progressive experience in accounting or financial management, preferably in education or nonprofit sectors
• Strong experience managing audits and regulatory compliance
• Ability to communicate financial information clearly to both finance and non-finance audiences
• Proficiency in Excel and accounting systems; knowledge of charter school financial practices a plus
• Deep sense of personal accountability and willingness to foster accountability in others.
• Strong ability to communicate and develop relationships.
• Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across multiple campuses and teams.
• Belief in and alignment with MESA’s core beliefs and educational philosophy.

Please email your resume and cover letter explaining specifically why you would be a good fit for MESA to Arthur Samuels, Executive Director, at hiring@mesacharter.org with the subject heading “Network Controller.” APPLY BY EMAIL ONLY. Due to the nature of the position and the volume of applications received, MESA will not be able to reply to all submissions. MESA will contact candidates with next steps.

MESA is committed to attracting, hiring and retaining a diverse and inclusive staff. It is MESA’s policy to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression,

age, disability, national origin, marital or domestic/civil partnership status, genetic information, citizenship status, uniformed service member or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

‍