Controller

Controller

Sagamore Institute

 

About Sagamore

 

Sagamore is an action-oriented think tank that builds and implements solutions to society’s most pressing challenges. By combining rigorous analysis with practical execution, we deliver solutions that strengthen systems, improve outcomes, and create lasting public value. Our work focuses on three interconnected domains: expanding economic opportunity for all our neighbors, securing our democratic way of life, and strengthening civil society through good citizenship.

 

Sagamore operates as a multi-entity platform that pairs upstream influence (Sagamore Institute) with downstream impact (Sagamore Ventures), including a working social enterprise (Purposeful Design), an impact investing platform (Commonwealth), and a real estate management company (Sagamore Real Estate). We are implementing a structural reorganization into separately governed affiliates, placing this Controller role at the center of an opportunity to build and operate the financial infrastructure of a nationally recognized, multi-entity mission enterprise.

 

Visit our website to learn more.

 

Position Summary

 

Sagamore seeks a Controller to lead day-to-day accounting operations and serve as a core partner in financial reporting, internal controls, and compliance across our related entities. The Controller will own the month-end close and consolidation, serve as a key interface to external auditors and affiliate boards, and supervise our part-time Accounting Specialist. This role partners closely with the fractional CFO and the executive leadership team to provide timely, accurate, audit-ready financial information that informs strategic decisions across the Sagamore platform.

 

Position Title: Controller

Reports To: Chief of Staff

Direct Reports: Accounting Specialist (part-time)

Classification: Full-Time, Exempt

Location: Indianapolis, IN (Hybrid)

 

Key Responsibilities

 

Financial Reporting & Strategic Partnership

 

• Lead monthly consolidated close, including intercompany eliminations, management services agreement allocations, and reconciliations across six entities.

• Produce monthly balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow reporting (consolidated and by entity), with restricted/unrestricted breakdowns and variance analysis.

• Prepare financial packages and support quarterly presentations to affiliate boards.

• Support the fractional CFO and executive leadership with forecasts, dashboards, and ad hoc financial analyses.

• Lead the annual budgeting process and support long-range planning.

• Partner with program leaders on grant budgeting, program-level P&L, and donor-restricted fund tracking.

 

Controls, Compliance & Systems

 

• Maintain internal controls, accounting policies, and documented procedures appropriate to a multi-entity nonprofit.

• Serve as primary liaison to the external audit firm; coordinate audit preparation, PBC lists, and workpapers.

• Coordinate Form 990 preparation and state and federal compliance filings.

• Administer and continue the buildout of Sage Intacct, including dimensional structure, reporting hierarchies, and journal entry templates.

• Oversee subsidiary accounting relationships.

• Ensure compliance with nonprofit GAAP, including net asset classification, release-from-restriction accounting, and functional expense allocation.

• Manage organizational risk, including insurance coverage and broker relationships.

 

Team Leadership & Transactional Oversight

 

• Supervise the part-time Accounting Specialist responsible for AP, AR, and transaction entry.

• Oversee cash management, donor receipts, stock gift processing, ACH/check disbursements, and bank reconciliations.

• Oversee 1099 preparation and vendor file maintenance.

• Oversee semi-monthly payroll administration with the PEO and serve as backup payroll processor as needed.

• Facilitate new hire and termination processes, PTO monitoring, and ACA/ERISA compliance with the PEO.

• Oversee outsourced service providers, including payroll, HR, and technology vendors.

 

Systems & Technology

 

• Sage Intacct (accounting)

• Salesforce (donor management)

• CardPointe (payment processing)

• iDonate (payment forms)

 

Qualifications

 

Required Qualifications

 

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field.

• Seven or more years of progressive accounting experience, including at least two years as a Controller or Assistant Controller.

• Demonstrated nonprofit GAAP expertise, including net asset classifications, release-from-restriction accounting, and functional expense allocation.

• Multi-entity consolidation experience, including intercompany eliminations.

• Experience coordinating annual audits and Form 990 preparation.

• Strong proficiency with cloud-based general ledger systems, reporting tools, and Microsoft Excel.

• Detail-oriented, self-starter, collaborative, with strong written and verbal communication skills.

 

Strongly Preferred

 

• Active CPA (or CPA-track with a clear timeline).

• Sage Intacct experience, particularly dimensional reporting.

• Management Services Agreement and cost allocation experience across related entities.

• Exposure to mission-related investing.

• Experience in a nonprofit with $5M+ in consolidated revenue, multiple entities, and multiple boards.

 

Compensation & Benefits

 

Sagamore Institute offers a competitive compensation and benefits package including base salary, 401(k), health, life, dental, and disability insurance.

 

Application Process

 

Please visit www.sagamoreinstitute.org/careers to submit a cover letter, resume, and salary requirements. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. Sagamore is an equal opportunity employer.