Controller - Third Future Schools

About Third Future Schools

Third Future Schools is a public charter school organization operating 26 schools serving more than 10,000 students across Colorado, Texas, and Louisiana, with an annual operating budget exceeding $200 million. Third Future works with communities and districts to deliver strong academic outcomes through rigorous instruction, personalized learning, and high expectations.

Founded in 2016, Third Future prepares students for the world of 2035 by developing competencies such as critical thinking, problem solving, information literacy, and communication.

Why Now?

After a period of rapid growth, Third Future is investing in the talent, systems, processes, and financial disciplines required for long-term sustainability and continued success. The Controller will lead efforts to rebuild, enhance, and optimize accounting operations, strengthen financial controls, and establish scalable, reliable accounting practices across the network.

Why Join This Team?

• Lead and shape the accounting function within a $200M+ multi-state public charter network.
• Partner directly with the CFO and work closely with the Vice President of Finance to strengthen financial stewardship and reliable decision-making.
• Rebuild, enhance, and optimize accounting processes, controls, systems, and team capabilities.
• Build lasting financial infrastructure that supports educators, schools, and student outcomes.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, the Controller has primary responsibility for accounting operations, financial statement preparation, close, audits, internal controls, financial compliance, transaction processing, and accounting systems across Third Future’s entities and states. The Controller will lead approximately 3–5 direct reports, strengthen accounting accuracy and operating discipline, and provide the reliable financial information needed by the CFO, Vice President of Finance, and school and regional leaders.

Key Responsibilities

Accounting Leadership & Financial Integrity

• Own the general ledger, balance-sheet integrity, monthly and quarterly close, and timely, accurate entity-level and consolidated financial statements.
• Establish consistent account reconciliations, documentation, accounting policies, ownership, and review practices; resolve priority historical accounting issues.
• Provide accurate accounting results and supporting data to the Vice President of Finance for management reporting, budgeting, and forecasting.

Audit, Controls & Compliance

• Lead annual financial statement audits and applicable Single Audits, coordinate external auditors, and sustain year-round audit readiness.
• Strengthen internal controls and ensure accurate, timely financial compliance and reporting across entities, states, grants, and restricted funds.
• Oversee payroll accounting and reconciliations, coordinating with HR on payroll preparation and related processes.

Accounting Operations, Processes & Systems

• Rebuild, enhance, and optimize close, reconciliations, revenue and receivables, accounts payable, transaction processing, and related accounting workflows.
• Serve as accounting business owner for Sage Intacct; advance system configuration, automation, data quality, and practical process improvements.
• Establish clear transaction ownership, approval controls, service expectations, and escalation procedures across schools and central operations.

Team Leadership & Partnership

• Lead approximately 3–5 direct reports; recruit, coach, and develop a high-performing accounting team with clear responsibilities and accountability.
• Set meaningful performance expectations and operating routines that sustain timely close, accurate reconciliations, compliant reporting, and audit readiness.
• Partner with the CFO, Vice President of Finance, school leaders, and other functions to identify risks, resolve issues, and support effective financial operations.

What We’re Looking For

Required Experience and Capabilities

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field; approximately 8+ years of progressive accounting experience, including leadership responsibility.
• Experience leading audits, financial reporting, and close processes in a complex, multi-entity organization.
• Demonstrated success strengthening accounting fundamentals, leading teams, and improving business processes and systems.
• Strong technical judgment, problem-solving and project-management skills, and ability to balance strategic leadership with hands-on execution.
• Collaborative leadership, comfort navigating change, and commitment to Third Future’s mission.

Preferred Experience

• CPA credential and experience with GASB accounting or reporting.
• Sage Intacct or comparable accounting ERP; experience with grant accounting, regulated operations, and multi-state organizations.
• Experience in education, nonprofits, healthcare, hospitality, franchise, real estate, or another distributed, multi-entity environment.

Compensation and Benefits

Salary range: $130,000–$165,000, commensurate with experience. Third Future offers medical, dental, and vision coverage, retirement benefits, paid time off, professional development support, and remote work, with a preference for candidates based near Third Future schools in the Denver metropolitan area, Baton Rouge, or Texas. Travel to schools and regions as needed. Benefit details are subject to confirmation.

Job Types: Full-time, Contract

Pay: $130,000.00 - $165,000.00 per year

Benefits

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Vision insurance

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Denver, CO 80202