Controller

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Manage all aspects of accounting; billing, financial statements, general ledger, payroll, benefits management, accounts payable, accounts receivable, budgeting, tax compliance, revenue recognition, cash flow and various special analyses.
• Leads a staff consisting of one accounting supervisor and three bookkeepers.  All work is on site.
• Directs, manages, and maintains fiscal records in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and current IT trends.
• Comply with all local, state, and federal government reporting requirements and tax filings; including annual filing of LM-2 with the U.S. Department of Labor and Ohio State Employment Relations Board.
• Comply with AFSCME Financial Standards Code.
• Maintain documented system of accounting policies, procedures, and operations.
• Establish, maintain, and enforce financial controls, accounting policies and accounting procedures to protect the organization’s and member’s assets and maximize efficiency.
• Define, benchmark, and implement best practices.
• Maintain all financial accounts of the organization, including investment funds and political accounts.
• Select, direct, and manage vendors including contractors for repairs and upgrades to Ohio Council 8 office buildings.
• Oversee all payments made for debts, bank loans, and other large quantities of money and manage collections.
• Identify solutions to discrepancies in financial records.
• Ultimately responsible for the organizations general ledger.
• Oversee periodic bank reconciliations.
• Manage and produce monthly, quarterly, and annual budget and forecasts aligned with the Council’s goals and objectives .
• Achieve budget goals with proper scheduling, analysis, and corrective actions.
• Perform regular budget consolidation.
• Calculate variances from the budget and report significant issues to the President.
• Manage and prepare timely and complete monthly, quarterly, and yearly financial reports.
• Coordinate and engage in financial planning and provide financial analyses as needed, in particular for capital investments, capital improvements and contract negotiations.
• Direct, manage, and conduct financial audits of Ohio Council 8, PAC, PCE and local union accounts.
• Coordinate information needed by external auditors for annual reports.
• Oversee tax preparation of IRS 990 for Ohio Council 8 and its political accounts.
• Maintain system of timely collection and processing of union dues.
• Timely disbursement of union dues into Council financial accounts.
• Accurately calculate minimum dues to be collected from members in each represented jurisdiction and communicate collection directions to employers.
• Timely disburse per capita tax from dues received to be disbursed to AFSCME affiliates and AFL-CIO Central Labor Councils.
• Timely calculate annual agency fee by obtaining addresses of private sector members from employers, creating agency fee brochure, timely distribution of agency brochure to private sector members, managing agency fee escrow account, and timely sending of necessary notices to employers for collection of agency fees.
• Oversee and create monthly and yearly membership reports.
• Create reports that help the organizations officers and trustees understand the organization’s financials.
• Oversee HR functions of organization including payroll, pension, 401(k) and employee benefit contributions; maintain employee personnel files and confidential medical records; on board new staff; calculate and maintain employee leave balances and accruals; answer employee questions about benefits; assists in hiring and training new staff.
• Oversee training on AFSCME Financial Standards Code and best practices to local union officers and secretary treasurers.
• Ensure that the accounting team has the necessary skills and resources to perform their duties accurately and effectively.
• Evaluate new and upgraded accounting software; implement new software programs once approved and train staff to operate new programs.
• Improve efficiency and cost reductions across the organization.
• Create an environment of trust, productivity, and confidentiality.
• Assists in daily accounting tasks if necessary.
• Some in-state travel required.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS  

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree (B.A.) from a four-year college or university in business, accounting, finance, or related field.
• Seven or more years of experience as a senior-level accounting or finance manager.
• Professional certification, such as CPA (Certified Public Accountant), CMA (Certified Management Accountant or CA (Chartered Accountant) preferred.
• Preference given to prior work experience in an accounting department of a labor organization.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Advanced knowledge of bookkeeping and accounting best practices, laws, standards, and state/national regulations.
• Understanding of economic principles, financial markets, and banking.
• Understanding of financial data analysis and reporting.
• Advanced computer skills, experience in accounting software and Microsoft Office Suite; Access, database, or other system knowledge. Advanced knowledge of Excel.
• Ability to deliver quality work on tight deadlines, with strong organization and priority setting skills.
• Must be able to communicate financial information into sound business language so people of all levels can understand.
• Knowledge of federal regulation on taxes and reporting.
• Attention to detail. Checks work on an ongoing work for accuracy.
• Ability to work well with management team, officers, and senior leadership.

Any qualified candidate who is interested in applying for this position should submit a resume and a writing sample to the attention of: R. Sean Grayson, President, AFSCME Ohio Council 8, 6800 N High Street, Worthington, Ohio 43085 or submit by email to kmcloughlin@afscme8.org