Controller at Epiphany School in Seattle, WA

About the role

The Controller serves as the senior technical accounting expert and operational lead for the Business Office at Epiphany School, ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant financial operations across the school. This role acts as the primary operational lead for day-to-day financial functions such as accounting, financial reporting, budgeting, internal controls, compliance, and financial aid administration while supporting the Chief Financial & Operating Officer (CFOO) in strategic planning, financial oversight, and policy implementation.

The Controller bridges the gap between transactional workflow and strategic finance leadership, providing redundancy and continuity for key functions and serving as a trusted partner to the CFOO, Head of School, department heads, and Board of Trustees This role ensures that financial systems and policies align with best practices, regulatory requirements, and the school’s mission and values. The Controller provides accurate financial information, strategic analysis, and risk-aware decision support.

The Controller also directly supervises the Staff Accountant & Payroll Specialist, providing guidance, review, and quality control while maintaining appropriate segregation of duties and strong internal controls.

This is a full-time, exempt, year-round, administrator position reporting to the CFOO.

Location

The person in this role must work in-person on the school campus in the Madrona neighborhood of Seattle, Washington. Epiphany School does not cover or reimburse relocation costs and/or expenses.

Standard work hours are typically Monday – Friday 8:00am – 4:00pm. Staff meetings typically run through 5:00pm on Wednesdays (dates will be communicated ahead of time).

This position may require infrequent evening and weekend work to support school community events such as the school auction.

Working from home is permitted occasionally after the 90-day probationary period.

What you'll do

Financial Accounting & Reporting

• Produce monthly financial statements, variance analyses, and operational dashboards for internal and external users.
• Oversee tuition management and family billing in coordination with the Admissions team and the Financial Aid committee.
• Manage financial aid modeling, tuition receivables, and enrollment-related accounting.
• Prepare and manage annual budgeting and multi-year forecasting in partnership with the CFOO and department heads.
• Strengthen internal controls and implement standardized processes across the Business Office, including AP, AR, Payroll, HR, and other departmental budgets.

Operational Oversight & Staff Management

• Supervise the Staff Accountant & Payroll Specialist; review, approve, and ensure accuracy of their work.
• Oversee day-to-day accounting operations, providing guidance and coaching to the Specialist.
• Ensure segregation of duties, compliance with internal controls, and alignment of workflows to school policy and GAAP.
• Serve as first point of contact for vendor contract reviews before CFOO or Head of School approval.

Strategic & Leadership Support

• Serve as CFOO proxy in Finance Committee meetings, audits, and vendor meetings as needed.
• Collaborate with department heads to support financial planning, operational decision-making, and cost management.
• Identify operational inefficiencies and recommend solutions to improve accuracy, timeliness, and effectiveness.
• Provide continuity and redundancy for critical finance functions to ensure smooth operations.

Typical Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field (CPA preferred).
• Minimum of 5+ years of progressive accounting or financial management experience, including oversight of accounting operations, ideally in nonprofit or school settings.
• Strong knowledge of nonprofit accounting principles, GAAP, and internal controls.
• Proven experience in budgeting, forecasting, and financial statement preparation.
• Experience supervising staff and reviewing transactional accounting work.
• Excellent communication skills in the English language (fluency in additional languages a plus), including the ability to convey complex financial information clearly and effectively.
• Strong project management, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• High degree of integrity, confidentiality, and ethical judgment.

Preferred:

• Independent school or nonprofit experience.
• Experience with financial aid modeling, tuition management, and enrollment-related accounting.
• Familiarity with Blackbaud Financial Edge, Rippling, Sawyer, or similar systems.

Compensation & Benefits

The salary range for this role is between $120,000 - $140,000 based on years of experience, education, skill, and internal equity in line with our school’s Administrator pay scale. When determining an initial offer, we carefully consider these factors.

Alongside salary, Epiphany School offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Benefits stipend to put towards employee benefits including medical, dental, vision coverage, voluntary employee, spousal, and child life and critical illness insurance, accident insurance, voluntary short-term disability, and flexible health savings accounts
• Employer-paid monthly premiums for employee assistance program and long-term disability coverage
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer contribution
• 13 paid holidays
• 6 weeks of paid vacation and 2 weeks of sick leave
• Paid supplemental parental leave after 12 months of employment
• Professional development funding

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter through our Employee Portal. The priority review deadline for applications will be February 13, 2026, but applications will be received until the position is filled.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United Sates and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. Final offers will be contingent on the successful completion of a background, education, and employment check.

About Epiphany School

Epiphany School is a non-parochial, independent elementary school serving grades pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. The school mission is to challenge and support all students to become confident, curious, and courageous learners through innovative teaching in a caring and inclusive environment. We strive to inspire every child to discover meaning and purpose in a life of learning and actively cultivate an awareness and respect for diversity in all forms. We aim to create a positive, joyful, and inclusive community by embracing the following values:

· Learn Joyfully

· Try New Things

· Act Responsibly

· Invite Everyone In

· Shine Together

With over 270 students, Epiphany School is large enough to offer a broad spectrum of educational opportunities and small enough to maintain a close-knit community. The beautiful, historic campus is located in a quiet setting in central Seattle’s Madrona neighborhood.

Epiphany School’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Epiphany School promotes and cultivates a diverse community as essential to academic success, social and emotional growth, and the development of good character. Engaging diverse perspectives stretches the mind and requires critical thinking, intellectual courage, and creativity. It takes careful listening and thoughtful expression and manifests itself in cultural competency. Thinking beyond oneself and seeing the world through the eyes of others is the foundation of fairness and empathy and thus prepares our students to live respectfully and responsibly in our pluralistic democratic society.

Epiphany School is committed to the Americans with Disabilities Act and the principle of equal access and opportunity in education and employment and full participation for persons with disabilities in all its programs and services.

Epiphany School is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any employee because of race, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, religion, gender identity, gender expression, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, political ideology, physical, mental, or sensory disability, military status, genetic information, age, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

Epiphany School complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact careers@epiphanyschool.org.