Position Summary
Baptist Children’s Homes of North Carolina is seeking a mission-driven Senior Controller to join its executive leadership team. Reporting directly to the Chief Financial Officer and partnering closely with the CEO, executive leaders, board committees, and ministry leaders, the Senior Controller will provide financial leadership, operational excellence, and strategic stewardship in support of the organization's mission.
This role represents a unique opportunity for a highly capable finance leader who is passionate about combining professional excellence with meaningful Kingdom impact. As a key member of the leadership team, the Senior Controller will help strengthen the financial foundation of the organization while supporting strategic growth, operational effectiveness, and long-term sustainability.
The Senior Controller will oversee all accounting, financial reporting, budgeting, compliance, audit management, internal controls, and financial systems while helping develop the financial strategies necessary to support the next generation of ministry impact. This individual will serve as a trusted advisor to organizational leadership and play a significant role in preparing the organization for future growth and increasing ministry effectiveness.
The Senior Controller serves as a steward of the resources entrusted by donors, churches, grantors, and supporters, ensuring financial excellence enables greater ministry impact and faithful fulfillment of the organization's mission.
This position is viewed as a critical leadership role within the finance function and offers a clear opportunity for continued leadership development and expanded responsibility over time.
Key Responsibilities
Financial Leadership & Strategic Stewardship
- Partner with the CFO, CEO, and executive leadership team to support the organization's long-term financial health and strategic objectives.
- Assist in developing financial strategies that strengthen sustainability, operational effectiveness, and ministry impact.
- Lead long-range financial planning, forecasting, cash flow modeling, and scenario analysis.
- Provide financial insights and recommendations that support executive decision-making.
- Serve as a trusted financial advisor to ministry, program, and operational leaders.
- Support Board and Finance Committee reporting and presentations.
- Evaluate financial implications of strategic initiatives, growth opportunities, and organizational investments.
Accounting, Reporting & Financial Operations
- Lead all accounting operations, including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, fixed assets, investments, trust-related assets, and month-end close.
- Ensure timely and accurate preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements.
- Maintain compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and nonprofit accounting standards.
- Oversee fund accounting, grant accounting, restricted funds, investment accounting, and donor reporting requirements.
- Monitor and account for donor-restricted, board-designated, and unrestricted investment funds, ensuring compliance with donor intent, trust agreements, and spending policies.
- Ensure financial information is accurate, meaningful, and actionable for organizational leaders.
- Simplify and optimize the chart of accounts, department structures, and financial reporting architecture to improve visibility and decision-making.
- Develop meaningful financial reporting by ministry, geography, program, and funding source.
Compliance, Audit & Risk Management
- Lead the annual financial audit process and serve as the primary liaison with external auditors.
- Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, grant requirements, and nonprofit reporting standards.
- Oversee preparation and review of regulatory filings.
- Strengthen internal controls, financial policies, and risk management practices.
- Monitor compliance related to restricted gifts, government funding, and contractual obligations.
- Support organizational stewardship through strong financial governance and accountability.
Budgeting, Analysis Program Support
- Lead the annual budgeting process in partnership with executive leadership and ministry leaders.
- Develop forecasting and financial planning processes that improve organizational visibility and accountability.
- Monitor financial performance against budget and strategic objectives.
- Analyze trends, key performance indicators, and operational metrics.
- Provide training and financial guidance to non-financial leaders.
- Support ministry leaders in understanding program economics, funding models, and financial performance.
Systems, Technology & Continuous Improvement
- Evaluate, optimize, and enhance financial systems, workflows, and reporting tools.
- Lead finance-related technology initiatives and process improvements.
- Champion automation, business intelligence, and AI-enabled efficiencies where appropriate.
- Improve data quality, transparency, and reporting capabilities across the organization.
- Foster a culture of continuous improvement within the finance function.
Leadership & Team Development
- Lead, mentor, and develop accounting and finance team members.
- Build a culture of accountability, excellence, collaboration, and servant leadership.
- Establish clear expectations, performance standards, and development plans.
- Model Christian leadership and foster a healthy, mission-centered culture.
- Partner with the CFO in building a scalable finance organization capable of supporting future growth.
- Prepare for expanded leadership responsibilities through intentional development and succession planning.
Qualifications
Required
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field.
- CPA strongly preferred; CMA or MBA considered valuable.
- Minimum of 8-10 years of progressive accounting and finance leadership experience.
- Demonstrated experience leading accounting operations, financial reporting, budgeting, and audits.
- Strong knowledge of GAAP, nonprofit accounting, and fund accounting principles.
- Experience managing and developing accounting or finance teams.
- Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving capabilities.
- Excellent communication and executive presentation skills.
- Proven ability to build relationships and influence across all levels of an organization.
- Commitment to the mission, vision, and Christian values of BCH.
Preferred
- Experience serving nonprofit, ministry, faith-based, human services, foster care, adoption, residential care, education, healthcare, or social service organizations.
- Experience with government grants, contracts, Medicaid reimbursement, or public funding sources.
- Experience leading ERP, accounting system, or reporting transformation initiatives.
- Experience supporting boards, finance committees, and executive leadership teams.
- Strategic planning or executive leadership experience
Personal & Spiritual Characteristics
The ideal candidate will demonstrate:
- A mature and growing Christian faith consistent with the organization's statement of faith and values.
- A servant-leader mindset characterized by humility, wisdom, and integrity.
- A commitment to faithful stewardship of the resources entrusted to the organization.
- High emotional intelligence and relational maturity.
- Courage to address challenges directly while maintaining grace and professionalism.
- A passion for excellence and continuous improvement.
- The ability to balance strategic thinking with operational execution.
- A heart for serving children, families, and communities through Christ-centered ministry.
Why This Opportunity Matters
This role offers the opportunity to combine professional excellence with eternal impact. The Senior Controller will help ensure that financial stewardship advances the mission, strengthens organizational sustainability, and enables the organization to serve more children and families for generations to come. For the right leader, this role represents an opportunity to influence strategy, shape the future of the organization, develop as an executive leader, and potentially grow into broader financial leadership responsibilities over time.
