Controller

About the role:

The Controller is the senior leader responsible for the day-to-day management of the organization’s accounting and financial systems, including monthly book closing, preparation of the organization’s financial statements, internal controls, compliance, tax filings, and year-end audits. The Controller ensures the accuracy and integrity of financial statements, IRS filings, and serves as the primary point of contact for external auditors. The goal of this role is to ensure the accuracy, integrity, and timeliness of all financial operations by maintaining rigorous internal controls, overseeing accounting workflows, and ensuring full compliance with GAAP, regulatory requirements, and organizational policies.

The ideal candidate must be a certified public accountant (CPA) with a strong ability to interpret financial data, manage complex systems, and lead a diverse team in a fast-paced operating environment. The Controller must be proficient with modern financial management platforms such as Sage Intacct, and bring at least five years of nonprofit financial operations with two years as a financial controller or in an equivalent role.

Location: Hybrid based in Washington DC

Reports to: Chief Financial Officer

Positions Directly Reporting to this Position: Senior Accountant, Staff Accountant, and two Accounts Payable Associates 

This Position Is: Full Time, FLSA Exempt, Non-Union

Salary: $165,000 - $205,000

Responsibilities:

• Lead month-end and year-end close processes, ensuring timely and accurate completion;
• Prepare and review complex journal entries and reconciliations, ensuring accuracy;
• Produce financial statements, schedules, and supporting documentation for internal and external stakeholders;
• Lead in the management of the Organization’s annual fiscal audit and serve as the Organization’s main point of contact with external auditors; 
• Maintain the daily operations of the Finance Department and support the Chief Financial Officer in developing strategic financial supports for the Organization;
• Prepare audit schedules and respond to auditor inquiries;
• Prepares Form 990 and Form 5500;
• Analyze financial data, identify trends, and provide insights to support decision-making;
• Maintain and strengthen internal controls, ensuring compliance with GAAP and organizational policies;
• Ensure that departmental SOPs reflect current departmental processes and procedures, and are routinely referenced in day-to-day activities;
• Recommend and, in collaboration with the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), implement new systems or procedures to streamline financial operations;
• Review work prepared by the Senior and Staff Accountant and provide guidance and feedback;
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis activities by Finance Reporting Manager;
• Manage AP/AR, revenue, and general ledger reconciliations;
• Manage, coach, and develop accounting staff, fostering a culture of accuracy, learning, and continuous improvement;
• Monitor evolving accounting rules and communicate relevant updates to the Finance team and leadership;
• Respond to State and IRS notices and inquiries, including Sales and Use Tax, payroll tax, 941, 1099 and other federal, state, and local tax matters, ensuring timely resolution and full compliance;
• Additional duties consistent with the responsibilities and qualifications in this job description may be assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting and an active CPA license;
• Minimum of ten years of relevant professional experience, with five years in a senior accounting leadership role within a nonprofit organization, and at least three years as a Financial Controller or equivalent role;
• Demonstrated expertise in GAAP, internal controls, financial reporting, and audit management;
• Experience implementing or optimizing ERP systems (e.g., Sage Intacct, NetSuite);
• Familiarity with multi-entity, multi-state, and grant-funded accounting;
• Proven success leading finance teams through organizational change or system transitions;
• Track record of strengthening internal controls in a growing organization;
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills, with a keen attention to detail;
• Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, and develop accounting staff;
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively across departments, with a customer service approach;
• Demonstrated commitment to contributing to a workplace where diversity, equity, and inclusion is valued and centered in their work in general;
• Demonstrated success at supporting and developing staff from diverse backgrounds, fostering an inclusive and respectful environment where everyone can grow and contribute;
• Ability to coach and develop staff at varying skill levels;
• Experience partnering with program, development, and operations teams to align financial operations;
• Ability to balance rigor with empathy in a dynamic operating environment.

OPTIONAL: Nice-to-haves (or excited-to-learns):

• Experience using reporting and analytics tools such as Excel, Power BI, or Tableau.