Controller

To apply, please email a resume and cover letter to Sarah Beaumont, CFO, at sarah@cdcutah.org

About Us

Community Development Corporation of Utah (CDCU) is a mission-driven community development nonprofit and Certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) whose mission is to help our community thrive by empowering people on their path toward financial security, housing stability and access to affordable homes. CDCU offers a variety of programs and services including financial and housing counseling and education; housing-related financial assistance and lending products such as down payment and mortgage assistance and mortgage, critical repair and consumer loans; and single- and multi-family real estate development and properties for rent and sale. We operate with a lean finance team and seek a skilled Controller to support our accounting and financial reporting functions, ensuring strong internal controls, accurate financial records, and timely reporting in alignment with our strategic goals and compliance requirements.

Position Summary

The Controller is responsible for hands-on, day-to-day accounting and ownership of the month-end close and financial reporting process. This role is critical to ensuring accurate financial records, strong internal controls, and compliance with nonprofit, grant, and CDFI requirements.

This is not a strategic-only or oversight-only role. The Controller will personally perform transactional accounting work (AP, AR, payroll, journal entries, reconciliations) while also preparing financial statements and supporting audits and reporting. The ideal candidate is highly detail-oriented, a self-starter, and someone who enjoys improving processes in a small, mission-driven organization where everyone pitches in.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform and manage daily accounting activities, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and general ledger entries
• Lead month-end close, including reconciliations, accruals, and review of financial data
• Prepare monthly financial statements, variance analysis, and internal reports for the CFO
• Maintain accurate balance sheet reconciliations and resolve discrepancies promptly
• Track and report on restricted funds, grants, and program-specific funding
• Support annual audit preparation and work with external auditors
• Maintain and improve accounting processes, documentation, and internal controls
• Support loan and program accounting related to CDFI activities, as applicable

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
• 5+ years of hands-on, full-cycle accounting experience
• Direct experience performing month-end close and preparing financial statements
• Knowledge of GAAP and nonprofit fund accounting
• Strong Excel skills and experience with accounting software (e.g., QuickBooks, Sage Intacct, Blackbaud)
• Exceptional attention to detail and ability to work independently

Preferred

• Experience in a small or mid-sized nonprofit, CDFI, or mission-driven organization
• Experience with grant accounting, restricted funds, and loan accounting
• Audit experience and CPA credential a plus

Who Will Succeed in This Role

• You like doing the work, not just reviewing it
• You care deeply about clean books, accurate reporting, and good documentation
• You are motivated by mission, stewardship, and community impact
• You enjoy improving systems and processes in a practical, no-ego environment
• You are comfortable in a Utah-style nonprofit culture: collaborative, accountable, and resource-conscious

Who This Role Is Not a Fit For

• Candidates seeking a purely strategic, advisory, or oversight-only controller role
• Individuals who prefer to delegate transactional accounting work
• Those uncomfortable working in a lean organization where flexibility and ownership are essential

Benefits

CDCU offers a comprehensive set of benefits including 20-25 paid time off days (depending on tenure), 11 paid US holidays, paid parental leave, SEP IRA retirement savings plan, disability and life insurance, and primarily employer-paid health medical insurance. 

Additional 

CDCU is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer where employment is based upon personal capabilities and qualifications without regard to race, creed, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, physical or mental ability, veteran status, military obligations, and marital status. This policy applies to recruiting, hiring, compensation, benefits, termination and all other terms and conditions of employment.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee incumbent in this position. Employee will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments.

This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” relationship.