Division Controller for Schools Division (Full-Time, Remote)

Division Controller, Schools--Ensemble Performing Arts Remote | Accounting Leadership Ensemble Performing Arts is seeking an experienced, systems and data savvy Division Controller for our Schools Business Unit. This role reports directly to the Corporate Controller with a heavy dotted line reporting responsibility to the Business Unit President and will own the full accounting operations for a portfolio of music and dance schools, leading system and process transformation, and enterprise/school standardization work. This role must understand the operating rhythm of a school including seasonality, tuition billing and recital/event revenue, and operate with the judgment and independence of a controller who can represent the accounting function in front of and partnering with school leadership. This is the right fit for a controller who wants to build scalable infrastructure for a portfolio of schools, mentor other accounting leaders, and take ownership of rapidly growing business unit - while still staying close to the transaction-level detail of school operations. Key Responsibilities • Accounting Operations & Close • Own accurate and timely monthly and year-end closes across a portfolio of schools, with full P&L and balance sheet accountability at each location • Oversee tuition and enrollment-based revenue recognition, including deferred revenue for prepaid tuition, seasonal enrollment surges, and mid-session refunds or withdrawals • Supervise and develop a remote accounting team, including the responsibility of an outsource relationship, across general ledger and close functions • Review and approve school-level financial statements and reconciliations to consolidation, acting as a first line of quality control for the Corporate Controller • Identify and resolve complex technical accounting issues (e.g., revenue recognition for tuition and program fees, leases for studio and school locations, purchase accounting) and document conclusions • Internal Controls & Compliance • Design, implement, and monitor internal controls across assigned schools, including cash handling, tuition billing, and refund controls, closing gaps proactively rather than reactively • Manage and lead audit preparation activities for the School Division, serving as the primary point of contact for external auditors • Partner with the Corporate Controller to standardize policies, procedures, and documentation across the Schools Division and the broader organization • Ensure complete capture and reconciliation of revenue processed through third-party platforms, including ticketing, events, and merchandise, so that no revenue stream is missed at month-end close • M&A & Systems Leadership • Lead onboarding of newly acquired schools into NetSuite, student billing/enrollment systems, and related systems, including opening balance sheet validation and purchase accounting support • Drive system migrations and process re-engineering projects - including student billing and enrollment platforms - from scoping through go-live, acting as project lead rather than participant • Build and maintain scalable reporting templates and chart-of-accounts standards that can be rolled out across multiple schools • Create and own Ensemble's F&A integration playbook, documenting the standard onboarding process end to end [3.1] • Team & Cross-Functional Leadership • Mentor and develop accounting team members across all business units • Collaborate cross-functionally with FP&A, HR, and Operations to ensure accounting alignment, clean enrollment and tuition data, and consistent reporting • Represent the accounting function directly with School Leadership providing financial clarity on enrollment trends, tuition collections, and school-level profitability, and pushing back on issues independently • Act as a proactive thought partner to the Corporate Controller, surfacing risks and improvement opportunities before being asked Who You Are • A builder - you don't just maintain systems, you re-architect them for scale across a growing network of schools • A technical resource - you can research and apply US GAAP independently, including tuition revenue recognition, and explain it clearly to non-accountants • A leader of leaders - you develop other accounting managers and controllers, not just individual contributors • A project owner - you can run a system implementation, student billing platform migration, or M&A integration from start to finish • A trusted operator - you can represent the accounting function in front of senior leadership and School Leaders with confidence • Comfortable with the seasonality of a school business - enrollment surges, session-based billing, and recital/event revenue Preferred Qualifications • Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance; CPA strongly preferred • 7+ years of progressive accounting experience, including 3+ years in a controller or senior leadership role • Demonstrated experience managing accounting across multi-entity, multi-state environments; experience with schools, education, membership, or subscription-based businesses is a strong plus • Strong US GAAP knowledge, including technical research and application to non-standard transactions • Solid understanding of revenue recognition, particularly as applied to tuition, program fees, and deferred revenue • Advanced NetSuite experience (or similar ERP), including system implementation or migration leadership; experience with student billing or enrollment management systems is a plus • Prior M&A integration and purchase accounting experience • Track record of mentoring and developing accounting staff and junior leaders • Comfortable operating with a high degree of autonomy in a fully remote, fast-scaling environment Compensation & Benefits The compensation range for this position is $125,000-$145,000 per year, commensurate with experience. A competitive benefits package is provided, including a 401(k) with employer match; health, vision, and dental benefits; and Paid Time-Off. To Apply Please submit the following: • A resume • A brief cover letter outlining your interest in this role • Responses to our short questionnaire about your background. Applications without a cover letter and questionnaire response will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed. Diversity is a strength of our community. If you meet most but not all of the qualifications, we still encourage you to apply.