Controller

Job Title :

Controller Supervised by :

CFO Job Summary :

The Controller is responsible for overseeing accounting operations, including the production of periodic financial reports, maintenance of an adequate system of accounting, and a comprehensive set of controls and budgets designed to mitigate risk, enhance the accuracy of the organization's reported financial results, and ensure compliance with generally accepted accounting principles and financial reporting standards. The Controller supervises and coordinates accounting, Accounts Payable, and Payroll workers engaged in calculating, posting, and verifying duties to obtain and record financial data for maintaining accounting and statistical records. This role determines work procedures, prepares work schedules, and expedites workflow. It also involves assigning duties and examining work for accuracy, neatness, and conformance to policies and procedures. The Controller is responsible for planning, organizing, and directing BCH's annual operating budget and monitoring its financial performance. Responsibilities include annual budget development, budget variance analysis, and cost accounting, along with analyses using both accounting and clinical data to support BCH's financial decision-making. The Controller will prepare and distribute decision support analyses to meet the operational and financial needs of BCH. The Controller works as a team member of the finance department, responsible for providing support for all functions necessary to implement, maintain, and improve data integrity within the financial and clinical systems. This role validates all data within these systems and ensures timely availability of decision support data. The Controller also participates in the implementation and dissemination of financial and managerial information and prepares relevant financial analyses, including annual Medicare and Medicaid cost reports and quarterly interim reimbursement assumptions. The primary functions of the Controller include preparing monthly financial statements for BCH, coordinating the preparation of BCH's annual operating budget, filing cost reports, tax returns, and various other reports with the appropriate regulatory agencies, and coordinating BCH's annual outside audit. The Controller is responsible for maximizing the use of Meditech or other financial reporting and analytical tools and ensuring the timeliness and accuracy of data available to leadership.

Duties and Responsibilities :

Maintain a documented system of accounting policies and procedures. Oversee the operations of the accounting department staff, focusing on internal control systems, transaction-processing operations, and compliance with policies and procedures. Manage the capital request and budgeting processes. Manage outsourced functions, including audits and cost reporting. Monitor/manage cash balances and cash forecasts. Ensure that accounts payable are approved and paid in a timely manner. Ensure that payroll is processed and approved in a timely and accurate manner. Ensure that periodic bank reconciliations are completed and approved. Ensure that required debt payments are made on time. Ensure an orderly accounting filing system. Establish and monitor internal control systems for all major accounting functions (e.g., Cash, Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, Payroll, Inventory). Ensure an accurate fixed asset system, including maintaining an up-to-date listing of fixed assets. Ensure new items are tagged and disposals are accounted for appropriately. Review and approve all journal entries posted by others. Oversee the monthly close for hospital financials. Prepare monthly/periodic financial statements for review. Manage the annual operating and capital budget process and ensure an accurate and reasonable budget, keeping in mind the organization's strategic initiatives. Coordinate quarterly budget meetings with management and assist in preparing budget reports for distribution each month. Communicate departmental and facility statistics to department managers monthly. Oversee budget variance reporting to/from department managers monthly. Coordinate monthly schedules needed for annual audit and ongoing financial analysis as requested. Coordinate information needed for interim and annual financial audits. Coordinate information needed for annual tax returns. Oversee preparation and submission of monthly sales tax to state and local authorities. Coordinate a separate accounts system for the Hospital Foundation. Provide regular analysis of revenue cycle performance against industry benchmarks. Work with the Revenue Cycle Director to ensure every step in the Revenue Cycle is optimized for maximum reimbursement. Coordinate financial portions of surveys such as Community Benefits, VHI, and AHA. Review AP master changes for all additions and changes to vendors for audit compliance. Coordinate information needed for the annual payroll and employee benefit plan audit. Issue timely, complete, and accurate financial statements to administration, management, and the Board. Coordinate the provision of information for interim and annual cost reports for Medicare and Virginia Medicaid. Review the appropriateness of the interim reimbursement rate and create the necessary receivable or liability to Medicare as appropriate. Comply with local, state, and federal government reporting requirements and tax filings. Ensure the monthly processing of financials, clinical, quality, and other analytical reports are distributed in a timely and accurate manner, with data reconciling with source systems to ensure data integrity. Resolve all system problems and ensure the accuracy of all routine reports before distribution. In partnership with the Quality and IT Departments, review patient-level financial and clinical data to ensure data quality and eliminate any discrepancies with source systems. Work closely with IT to correct source data problems for outside financial data submissions. Work with IT to develop ongoing audits to ensure data integrity of financial and billing systems. Advise and educate users regarding the financial and clinical data available to support their operational and business needs. Perform cost analyses for various clinical and financial pro-forma projects. Assist in pulling clinical data for various clinical and quality initiatives. Develop training materials and organize ongoing training sessions to educate managers and department analysts about data reporting, new data fields, and new processes. Serve as an expert in the mechanics of the Medicare Cost Report and make recommendations to management to ensure BCH appropriately maximizes its reimbursement from Medicare. Assist leaders in the development of Business Plans as needed to ensure best decision-making and financial outcomes. Other duties as assigned. Because of the fluctuating demands of the hospital operation, it may be necessary for each employee to perform a multitude of different functions; therefore, as an essential part of your position, you will be expected to help others when the occasion arises. Accordingly, you may be expected to perform other tasks as needed or work hours outside of the scheduled shift as needed. Participate in required and elective educational activities to develop and maintain skills and complete them in a timely manner. Attend department and hospital meetings as required. Comply with all BCH policies and procedures, including professional licensure criteria in accordance with local, state, and federal guidelines.

Education/Experience Required :

Bachelor's degree with a concentration in Accounting, Finance, IT, or a related field. Master's degree in Business or Healthcare Administration. Five years of progressive management experience in healthcare, with prior experience in a Critical Access Hospital or Physician Practice preferred. Experience with Meditech, preferred.

Skills Required :

Demonstrated skills in business analysis, financial management, and Revenue Cycle. Excellent communication and leadership skills, with the ability to work independently and autonomously with administrative and clinical colleagues. Good analytical, technical/computer, and organizational skills. Knowledge and training in HIPAA. Ability to read and communicate effectively in English.

Professional Requirements :

Completes annual educational requirements and in-services as scheduled. Maintains regulatory requirements. Actively participates in Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) activities. Ensures confidentiality of patient records. Periodic weekend or evening work may be required to meet reporting and project deadlines. Will be expected to travel as needed for education/training opportunities.

Physical Demands :

The physical demands of the job include standing, walking, sitting, pushing/pulling, and arm/hand movements. The job requires lifting weight varying from up to 10 pounds to more than 100 pounds, depending on the task.