Controller positions focus on delivering results in their domain. This page aggregates open Controller roles and what employers typically expect.
The Controller oversees all accounting operations and ensures the integrity, accuracy, and compliance of the organization’s financial reporting. This role has primary responsibility for **endowment accounting, federal grant compliance, and nonprofit fund accounting** in accordance with U.S. GAAP, Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200), donor restrictions, and regulatory requirements. The Controller works closely with the Vice President of Finance, Finance Operations Director, Financial Reporting Manager and Director of Financial Planning and Analysis. **Key Responsibilities** **Accounting & Financial Reporting** - Direct all accounting operations, including general ledger, revenue reconciliation and month-end/year-end close - Ensure timely and accurate preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP and nonprofit accounting standards - Ensure proper classification and reporting of net assets **with and without donor restrictions**, including releases of restriction - Prepare monthly and quarterly financial reports for senior leadership and the Board, including variance analysis **Endowment & Investment Accounting** - Oversee accounting and reporting for **endowment funds**, including permanently restricted, temporarily restricted, and board-designated endowments - Record and review investment activity, income, realized and unrealized gains and losses, and spending policy allocations - Ensure compliance with donor restrictions, UPMIFA requirements, and Board-approved endowment spending policies - Reconcile endowment balances with investment managers and custodians and review performance reports - Prepare endowment-related disclosures, schedules, and footnotes for audited financial statements **Federal Grants & Restricted Funding** - Oversee accounting and financial compliance for **federal grants**, including adherence to Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200) - Ensure proper cost allocation, allowability, allocability, and reasonableness of grant expenditures - Support preparation and review of federal financial reports (e.g., SF-425) and sponsor-specific reporting - Coordinate and lead/participate in **Single Audit** preparation, including schedules of expenditures of federal awards (SEFA) - Monitor subrecipient activity, including subaward setup, monitoring, and financial reporting compliance **Internal Controls & Compliance** - Design, implement, and/or automate to maintain strong internal controls over financial reporting, cash, grants, and endowment activity - Ensure compliance with donor agreements, grant terms, organizational policies, and regulatory requirements - Maintain and document accounting policies and procedures, including grant and endowment policies - Lead fraud prevention, risk mitigation, and compliance monitoring efforts **Audit & Regulatory Oversight** - Partner with Financial Reporting Manager as a liaison with external auditors for annual financial statement audits and Single Audits - Prepare audit schedules, reconciliations, and supporting documentation related to grants and endowments - Manage responses to any potential audit findings and oversee implementation of corrective action plans **Leadership & Systems Oversight** - Lead, supervise, and develop the accounting team - Establish clear expectations, workflows, and internal controls, review processes - Oversee accounting systems and ensure accurate grant, fund, and endowment reporting - Lead and/or collaborate on system implementations, upgrades, and process improvements **Qualifications** **Required** - Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field - Certified Public Accountant (CPA) - Minimum of 8–10 years of progressive accounting experience, **including nonprofit fund accounting** - Demonstrated experience with **endowment accounting and federal grants** - Strong working knowledge of U.S. GAAP, nonprofit accounting standards, and Uniform Guidance - Experience leading audits, including Single Audits - Proven people management experien…