Controller
Campus · Campus NYC · $180,000–$230,000 (stated in the posting)
About Campus
Campus is on a mission to accelerate the talent of tomorrow and reimagine what college can (and should) be. The problem is clear: college costs have skyrocketed, but outcomes haven’t. Traditional college hasn’t kept up with the aspirations of today’s students—and they can’t afford to wait.
At Campus, we’ve built a two-year, accredited college where students learn from top professors at universities like Princeton, Stanford, and Howard, in live, online classes. Our students graduate with in-demand business and AI skills—ready to launch their careers or transfer to top four-year universities. Our unique approach is grounded in a pioneering technology platform and a heavily-researched student success model that offers students dedicated advisors and on-demand tutoring and coaching. We were also named one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies of 2024.
We’re backed by an exceptional investor team that believes deeply in our vision for the future of education, including General Catalyst, Founders Fund, Bloomberg Beta, 8VC, Rethink Education, Sam Altman, Jason Citron, Shaquille O’Neal, and others.
The world has changed. Higher ed needs to catch up, and we’re leading the way - come join us!
About the team
The Finance & Accounting team safeguards Campus’s financial accuracy and integrity as the company grows. We partner across the business to deliver reliable reporting, manage the complexity of tuition and student financing, and build controls and systems that support a regulated education institution. We value accountability, collaboration, and a deep sense of responsibility to the students we serve.
About the role
Campus is seeking a hands-on Controller to lead its accounting function, manage and develop the accounting team, and own close, financial reporting, audits, controls, and accounting systems. Reporting directly to the CFO, you will turn growing transaction volume and complex student-finance activity into accurate, timely financials that leadership, the Board, investors, and regulators can trust.
Your immediate priorities are to improve on a reliable, five-business-day monthly close, help lead the transition from QuickBooks to Campfire, and build the team, documentation, and systems needed to support continued growth. You will combine strong technical accounting judgment with the willingness to investigate discrepancies, improve workflows, and resolve issues directly.
Key Responsibilities
Financial close and reporting
Own monthly, quarterly, and annual close, with a target of five business days or less for monthly close; establish a close calendar, clear ownership, reconciliations, and review standards that sustain speed and accuracy.
Deliver complete, accurate US GAAP financial statements and supporting schedules, including balance sheet reconciliations, consolidation, intercompany activity, and explanations of significant variances.
Own accounting for tuition, deferred revenue, scholarships and discounts, refunds, student receivables, installment and financing arrangements, and partner revenue or expense sharing.
Maintain accounting policies and technical analyses under ASC 606, ASC 718, and ASC 842; oversee equity accounting and its reconciliation to Carta, including options, grants, exercises, and stock-based compensation.
Partner with FP&A to align actuals with forecasts, maintain useful reporting by program and funding source, and produce defensible Board, investor, lender, and diligence materials.
Audit controls and regulatory partnership
Lead annual financial statement audits from planning through completion, own auditor relationships and supporting schedules, and resolve technical questions and findings proactively.
Design and document practical controls over cash, restricted funds, revenue, disbursements, payroll, journal entries, and system access; establish appropriate approvals and segregation of duties.
Partner with Financial Aid, Student Finance, Legal, and Compliance on Title IV and other education-related reviews; ensure student-account activity, financial aid receipts, refunds, and returns reconcile to the general ledger.
Support financial responsibility and composite score calculations, 90/10 reporting, lender covenant reporting, and regulatory financial submissions with accurate schedules and documented methodologies.
Coordinate tax and other statutory filings with external advisors and proactively identify and address accounting, audit, and compliance risks.
Accounting systems and scalable processes
Help lead the QuickBooks-to-Campfire migration, including chart of accounts and reporting dimensions, data cleanup and conversion, opening balance validation, integrations, testing, and cutover controls.
Own accounting data integrity across Campfire, Carta, Ramp, Rippling, billing and payment tools, and student systems; improve reconciliations and reduce manual work through controlled automation.
Team leadership
Manage and develop the accounting team, establish clear responsibilities and documentation, and build capacity as Campus grows.
Set high standards while keeping workloads sustainable; communicate issues early and build effective partnerships with FP&A, Student Finance, Financial Aid, Operations, HR, Legal, and external advisors.
You’re excited about this opportunity because you will…
Build the accounting function at a growing education and technology company where your work directly supports access to affordable college.
Partner closely with the CFO and senior leadership, with meaningful ownership of the financial reporting, systems, and team that will support Campus’s next stage of growth.
Support an ERP transition, improve the close, and establish processes that make the numbers reliable and the team more effective.
We’re excited about you because…
You take ownership of outcomes and follow through. You can explain complex accounting to non-finance partners, make sound decisions under tight timelines or ambiguity, and remain calm during audits and regulatory reviews. You balance attention to detail with business context, develop people, and earn trust through transparency, consistency, and early action on emerging risks.
You’ll be a great fit if you have…
CPA and a bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance.
12 or more years of progressive accounting experience, including at least five years in high-growth, venture-backed environments and experience managing and developing accounting teams.
Expert knowledge of US GAAP, including complex revenue recognition, stock-based compensation, and lease accounting under ASC 606, ASC 718, and ASC 842.
Demonstrated ownership of monthly, quarterly, and annual close, financial statement audits, and internal control design and documentation.
Hands-on experience implementing or substantially improving an ERP, managing accounting data integrity, and accounting for deferred revenue, financing or installment arrangements, and partner economics.
Preferred
Big 4 or top-tier national accounting firm background, or experience at a late Series B, Series C, or later-stage company.
Experience in education, fintech, lending, healthcare, insurance, or another regulated environment; familiarity with Title IV, financial responsibility, or 90/10 reporting is a plus.
Campfire implementation or optimization experience; familiarity with Carta, Ramp, Rippling, and multi-entity, multi-state, or multi-currency accounting.
What you’ll get:
A compensation package that includes a base salary ($180,000 - $230,000) + equity grant
Medical Insurance + Vision Insurance
401(k) match
Fertility benefits via Carrot
Flexible working hours & a hybrid work schedule (Mon & Fri remote; Tues-Thurs in-office)
Flexible Time Away + paid holidays
In-office lunches
Social events - happy hours, birthday celebrations, holiday parties, & more!
Opportunity to make an impact – you’ll be an integral player in bringing our vision to life
Where we’re located: New York City
At this time, we are unable to provide visa sponsorship or immigration support for this position. Candidates must have current and ongoing authorization to work in the United States without the need for sponsorship now or in the future.