Controller

Controller

Location: San Francisco Bay Area (Hybrid. Remote work with required attendance at occasional in-person meetings and events.)

Reports To: Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Salary Range: $145k - $160k annually

Benefits:

• 16 paid BACR Holidays, generous paid time off benefits
• Medical, dental, vision, mental health/wellness benefit, hospital indemnity, life insurance, flexible spending account (transit, medical, dependent), 403b program, pet insurance, WellHub
• Professional Development opportunities

Position Summary

The Controller is a senior finance leadership role responsible for overseeing accounting operations, financial reporting, and internal controls for a $100M California nonprofit organization. Reporting to the CFO, the Controller ensures the accuracy, compliance, and integrity of financial data in alignment with U.S. GAAP, IRS 501(c)(3) regulations, and nonprofit accounting standards.

This role leads the accounting team, drives process improvements, supports strategic decision-making, and plays a critical role in audits, financial planning, and organizational reporting. The ideal candidate is a CPA with at least 7 years of nonprofit accounting experience, hands-on expertise with Workday Financial Management, and a proven track record of operational excellence and team leadership in complex funding environments.

This role offers an opportunity to lead and strengthen the finance function, ensure rigorous financial controls, and support the strategic and mission-driven work of a high-impact nonprofit organization.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Leadership

• Collaborate with cross-functional leadership teams to align finance and accounting operations with organizational mission driven goals.
• Develop financial strategies, including pricing models, technology-enabled automation, and knowledge management systems to drive operational efficiency and sustainable growth.
• Ensure effective internal controls and compliance with GAAP, IRS 501(c)(3) regulations, and nonprofit accounting standards.
• Lead initiatives to restructure people, processes, and technology to meet strategic objectives.
• Serve as a trusted financial advisor and represent the organization to internal and external stakeholders.

2. Financial Management & Operations

• Oversee daily accounting functions, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timely reporting to management, board, and project partners.
• Prepare and present financial statements, budgets, variance analyses, cash-flow reports, and forecast models.
• Lead annual audits, tax preparation, and monthly/annual financial reporting.
• Maintain and optimize financial management policies, systems, and internal controls.
• Monitor and manage the financial reporting including performance dashboards, forecasting models, and internal contract management.
• Identify and implement process improvements to increase efficiency and strengthen financial stewardship.

3. Team Leadership & Management

• Recruit, mentor, and manage a high-performing finance team.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, equity, and professional development, ensuring team members have the skills and support to meet organizational objectives.
• Provide guidance and oversight on project-specific finance and accounting support, including grant management and reporting.

4. Organizational Support & Financial Analysis

• Serve as a resource and trainer for non-financial staff on financial processes and best practices.
• Support strategic decision-making through financial analysis, scenario modeling, and operational insights.
• Maintain awareness of financial trends in the nonprofit and community foundation sectors.

Required Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required; Master's degree preferred.
• Hands-on experience with Workday Financial Management; ERP implementation experience.
• Minimum 7 years of progressive nonprofit accounting experience, with at least 3 years in a supervisory or senior finance leadership role.
• Expertise in GAAP, nonprofit accounting procedures, and compliance with tax and regulatory requirements.
• Experience managing nonprofit audits, and Form 990 filings.
• Proven ability to lead process improvements, system implementations, and high-performing teams.

Skills & Competencies

• Deep understanding of U.S. GAAP for nonprofit entities and regulatory compliance.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and financial modeling skills.
• Advanced proficiency with ERP systems (Workday preferred) and Microsoft Excel.
• Ability to translate complex accounting concepts into actionable guidance for non-financial stakeholders.
• Exceptional communication, relationship-building, and leadership skills.
• High integrity, discretion, and commitment to equity, inclusion, and mission-driven leadership.

Preferred Experience

• CPA
• Direct experience with non-profit grant accounting and complex nonprofit financial structures.
• Experience leading ERP system implementations, process improvements, and organizational change initiatives.
• Demonstrated track record of cross-functional collaboration and strategic financial leadership in nonprofit settings.