Assistant To Financial Controller Jobs in Rochester, NY

Our Mission

Our mission is to leverage the power of food to end hunger and build healthier communities.

Our Vision

We believe that the fight against hunger and the fight against poverty are one and the same. We envision a future in which food is recognized as a human right and every person is able to feed themselves and their families in dignity. Together, we work to create a more nourished, prosperous region.

The Foodlink Way

Act With Compassion

Take Responsibility

Be a Team Player

Listen, Learn, Adapt

Job Title: Controller

Department: Finance Department

Reports to: Director of Finance

Hours: 8:30-5pm, Monday-Friday

Supervises: Accounts Payable Coordinator, Accounts Receivable Coordinator & Financial Operations Specialist

Status: Salary, Exempt, Full-Time

Job Level: Level 8-Departmental Leadership

Updated: April 2026

SUMMARY

The Controller is a hands-on senior finance manager responsible for the accuracy, integrity, and compliance of Foodlink’s accounting and financial reporting functions. Reporting to the Director of Finance, the Controller oversees core accounting operations including accounts payable, accounts receivable, general ledger, organization’s operating budget, financial audit and grant accounting across all entities under the Foodlink umbrella.

This role plays a critical leadership function in maintaining strong internal controls, ensuring compliance with nonprofit and grantor requirements, and supporting short- and long-term financial planning. The Controller works closely with the Director of Finance and CFO, supervises key financial operations staff, and actively leads efforts to modernize, streamline, and automate accounting processes in support of Foodlink’s mission.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Financial Systems & Controls

• Oversees the daily financial operations of Foodlink entities; monitoring cashflow, revenue and expenditures.
• Complete daily cash reconciliation and related transactions; reconcile the daily sales data for the organization’s retail programs.
• Manage electronic banking transactions (ie. ACH/wire transfers) both incoming and outgoing.
• Maintain fixed assets and depreciation schedules and ensure accurate depreciation and capitalization practices.
• Oversee and direct general ledger operations in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, including review and posting of journal entries, reconciliation of sub-ledgers, and resolution of discrepancies ensuring accurate posting, reporting and reconciliation.
• Provide oversight, guidance, and review of accounting staff activities across accounts payable, accounts receivable, and general ledger functions to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Manage month-end and year-end close processes and ensure the timely preparation of accurate monthly and annual financial statements across all entities under the Foodlink umbrella in accordance with GAAP and nonprofit accounting standards.
• Prepare monthly account reconciliations and financial statements for internal leadership and the Finance Committee of the Board of Directors of Foodlink, Inc and prepare account reconciliations and financial statements quarterly (or as requested) for all other entities under the Foodlink umbrella.
• Support Finance Committee activities in collaboration with the Director of Finance and CFO, including preparation of materials, participation in meetings, and follow-up on action items and reporting requests.

Internal Controls, Audit & Compliance

• Keep abreast of laws and regulations that apply to a non-profit organization to maintain up-to-date compliance.
• Establish, document, maintain, and enforce accounting policies, operating procedures, and internal controls in collaboration with the Director of Finance and CFO.
• Ensure Foodlink remains in full compliance with financial reporting requirements, nonprofit regulations, and applicable laws.
• Lead New Market Tax Credit (NMTC) compliance reporting, including coordinating, reviewing, and submitting all required reports in accordance with program and lender requirements.
• Coordinate and lead the annual audit process, including preparation of schedules and workpapers, direct interaction with external auditors, explanation of accounting transactions and resolution of audit recommendations and continuous improvement of financial processes.
• Support the Director of Finance and CFO in Audit Committee activities, including coordinating audit-related materials, assisting with meeting preparation, and presenting audit findings, internal control updates, and compliance matters.
• Maintain an in-depth knowledge of Foodlink’s accounting, grant tracking and inventory systems.
• Support the analysis, development, and implementation of new financial processes and tracking mechanisms to improve efficiencies and internal controls (ie. automation of paper-based processes).

Budgeting & Strategic Support

• Support short- and long-term budgetary planning and cost management in partnership with the CFO and Director of Finance.
• Support strategic planning; provide financial analysis, projections, and recommendations related to cost identification, allocation, and revenue/expense trends.
• Research and interpret financial transactions and events for management who must make economic or business decisions, both long-term and short-term; train staff on Foodlink accounting system to support program-level budgeting and cost monitoring.
• Support cash flow forecasting and monitoring to ensure organizational liquidity and financial stability.
• Analyze variances and trends, identifying risks and opportunities for leadership.
• In collaboration with Director of Finance manage banking relationships and accounts.
• Exercise discretion in the performance of assigned duties by being knowledgeable of Foodlink policies and procedures regarding confidential materials and information and complying with such policies when handling confidential items or providing information to employees or the public.
• Perform any tasks or projects assigned by the CFO or Director of Finance to support the organization and the team mission.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Lead and develop accounting staff, fostering accountability, accuracy, and professional growth.
• Partner cross-functionally with program, development, operations, and IT teams to improve financial systems and data quality.
• Support system enhancements and automation initiatives (e.g., AP, reporting, grant tracking).
• Provide clear financial guidance to non-financial leaders in support of informed decision-making.

Detail-Oriented. Exercises extreme attention to detail. Take pride in being thorough, accurate, organized, and productive. Asks critical questions to ensure accuracy.

• Agile. The ideal candidate will be able to adapt to evolving needs and priorities. Ability to juggle and prioritize a varying demand of this role.
• Collaborative. Hands-on leadership with ability to work well with a variety of stakeholders including management, direct staff, peers, and other internal departments, and external partners.
• Solutions-oriented. Ability to contribute to problem solving and to pivot between strategies and manage competing priorities.
• Mission-driven. Reflects on the mission often, using it as the north-star for decision making. Proactively seeks information as it pertains to hunger relief and/or how Foodlink operates.
• Customer Service. Has a people-first mentality when serving a wide variety of customers, from donors to vendors to volunteers.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance required.
• Master’s degree or CPA strongly preferred.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive financial experience with a Bachelor’s degree, preferably in a nonprofit or grant-funded environment.
• Minimum 5 years of progressive financial experience with a Master’s degree or CPA, preferably in a nonprofit or grant-funded environment.
• 3+ years supervisory experience
• Demonstrated experience with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), nonprofit accounting, grant compliance and audit processes.
• Knowledge of fiscal and business management with demonstrated competence in planning and budgeting, data collection and reporting.
• Working knowledge of Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable and month end close processes and procedures.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Must be comfortable compiling complex information from a variety of different formats and information sources, as well as keeping this information organized and concise
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a high level of attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines and work effectively under pressure.
• Strong work ethic and commitment to accuracy, accountability and continuous improvement.
• Friendly, customer-oriented personality; clear written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain financial concepts to non-financial staff.
• Ability to operate electronics, photocopier or other standard office machines, perform routine alphanumeric filing tasks, and perform basic record keeping and tabulation tasks.
• Fluency in English required. Knowledge of Spanish helpful.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

This is a full time, year-round position with a pay range of $81,044 - $96,802 BOE. Foodlink covers 100% of individual health and dental insurance with the ability to acquire family coverage with pretax dollars. In addition to generous paid time off (PTO), we observe 14 paid holidays throughout the year. Opportunity to contribute to a 401k retirement savings plan upon hire. Eligible for generous employer match after 1 year of service. Certain positions, depending on their responsibilities and at the approval of Human Resources, are eligible for a personal cell phone usage stipend. This position is eligible for a Class I personal cell phone usage stipend, paid biweekly at a rate of $24. The value of the stipend is based on Foodlink budget and is subject to change at any time. This is not a reimbursement program.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand and talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to use hands to handle or feel items such as documents. The employee is frequently required to stand and walk for long periods of time. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision and ability to adjust focus. Able to lift bulk objects or objects weighing up to 50 pounds

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a team member encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

Note: The above description is illustrative of tasks and responsibilities. It is not meant to be all- inclusive. Employees will follow other instructions and perform other related duties as required.

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

Foodlink is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion. At Foodlink we believe that anti-hunger work is only possible with a commitment to removing barriers caused by systems of oppression that perpetuate hunger and poverty. We recognize that systematic injustice and bias disproportionately impact some identities more than others.

Foodlink is actively working to center equity- the fair treatment of all people- in everything that we do so that everyone in our region has access to nourishing food that reflects and values cultural differences.

Foodlink is committed to listening and supporting solutions to hunger that are sourced from people and communities with lived/living experience of hunger and poverty, and to responding where inequities exist.

Foodlink is committed to taking great care to cultivate internal culture and practices that support diversity and inclusion. We embrace and encourage our employees’ differences in age, color, disability, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, veteran status, and other characteristics that make our employees unique. We aim to foster an environment in which everyone feels a sense of belonging and understands their connection to the Foodlink mission.

Foodlink employees have a responsibility to always treat others with dignity and respect. Employees are expected to always exhibit conduct that reflects our values and promotes equity and inclusion during work, and at work functions.