Controller

Controller

Bell & Associates has been engaged to help our client recruit a Controller to provide financial leadership for a well-established nonprofit organization and its affiliated entities. This is a highly visible role with significant interaction with the senior leadership, program leaders, employees, grant funders, banks, auditors, vendors, and other external stakeholders.

The Controller will oversee the organization’s accounting, financial reporting, budgeting, cash management, and compliance functions while ensuring strong financial controls and stewardship of the organization’s resources. The successful candidate will bring a strong understanding of nonprofit accounting, fund accounting, grant management, restricted and unrestricted funds, and financial reporting, along with the leadership presence to serve as a trusted financial partner to senior leadership.

Responsibilities

• Lead the accounting and financial reporting functions for the organization and affiliated entities
• Oversee the monthly close, general ledger, reconciliations, accounts payable/receivable, payroll accounting, cash management, and financial statement preparation
• Ensure financial reporting complies with GAAP and applicable nonprofit accounting standards
• Oversee fund accounting, including appropriate accounting for restricted, unrestricted, and program-specific funds
• Manage accounting and reporting requirements for government, foundation, corporate, and other grant funding
• Lead the annual budgeting and forecasting process, including budget-to-actual analysis and financial projections
• Provide senior leadership and the Executive Council with timely financial reporting, analysis, and recommendations to support strategic decision-making
• Manage cash flow, banking relationships, and overall financial liquidity
• Lead the annual financial statement audit and coordinate with external auditors and tax advisors
• Oversee preparation and support of Form 990 and other required regulatory and funding reports
• Establish and strengthen internal controls, accounting policies, and financial procedures to ensure compliance and minimize risk
• Partner with program and operational leaders to monitor financial performance, manage budgets, and evaluate the financial impact of new programs and initiatives
• Lead, mentor, and develop an accounting/finance team of approximately eight or more employees
• Identify opportunities to improve accounting processes, systems, reporting, and overall operating efficiency
• Serve as a trusted financial advisor to senior leadership and help ensure the organization’s financial strength and long-term sustainability

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or related field required
• CPA or Master’s degree preferred
• 7+ years of progressive accounting/finance leadership experience, including Controller-level or equivalent experience
• Nonprofit accounting experience strongly preferred
• Strong knowledge of fund accounting, restricted/unrestricted funds, grant accounting, and nonprofit financial reporting
• Experience managing an accounting/finance team of 8 or more
• Strong understanding of GAAP, budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis
• Experience managing external audits and working with auditors, banks, funders, and other external stakeholders
• Strong knowledge of internal controls, compliance, and financial risk management
• Excellent analytical, communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to translate complex financial information into clear, actionable recommendations for non-financial leaders
• High level of integrity, accountability, discretion, and commitment to the organization’s mission