Controller - Nonprofit Finance

Controller – Nonprofit Finance

An experienced accounting professional with 8–10+ years in nonprofit fund accounting, endowment and federal grant compliance, and team leadership.

Oversee accounting operations, financial reporting, endowment and grant compliance, internal controls, and audit coordination while leading the accounting team.

Nonprofit organization finance department with collaboration across leadership, board, and external stakeholders.

Immediate opportunity to provide financial stewardship, ensure compliance, and lead accounting operations.

This role allows a strategic impact on the organization's financial integrity, grant compliance, and endowment management while fostering a mission-driven culture.

Competitive, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Job Summary

The Controller manages all accounting operations for a nonprofit organization, ensuring accurate financial reporting, compliance with U.S. GAAP, Uniform Guidance, and donor restrictions, and oversight of endowment and federal grant accounting. Reporting to senior finance leadership, this role leads the accounting team, oversees audits, implements strong internal controls, and ensures accurate preparation of financial statements and reports for leadership and the board.

Key Responsibilities

Accounting & Financial Reporting

• Direct general ledger, revenue reconciliation, and month-end/year-end close processes
• Prepare accurate financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP and nonprofit standards
• Classify and report net assets with/without donor restrictions, including releases
• Prepare monthly/quarterly financial reports and variance analysis for leadership and the Board

Endowment & Investment Accounting

• Oversee accounting for permanently restricted, temporarily restricted, and board-designated endowments
• Record and review investment activity, income, gains/losses, and spending policy allocations
• Ensure compliance with donor restrictions, UPMIFA, and Board-approved endowment policies
• Reconcile endowment balances and prepare disclosures for audited financial statements

Federal Grants & Restricted Funding

• Manage accounting and compliance for federal grants under Uniform Guidance
• Ensure proper cost allocation, allowability, and reasonableness of grant expenditures
• Support federal financial report preparation (e.g., SF-425) and Single Audit schedules
• Monitor subrecipient activity and reporting compliance

Internal Controls & Compliance

• Design and maintain strong internal controls over financial reporting, grants, and endowments
• Ensure adherence to donor agreements, grant terms, and organizational policies
• Lead fraud prevention, risk mitigation, and compliance monitoring efforts

Audit, Tax & Regulatory Oversight

• Serve as liaison with external auditors for annual audits and Single Audits
• Prepare schedules, reconciliations, and supporting documentation
• Manage audit responses and corrective action plans

Leadership & Systems Oversight

• Lead and develop accounting team with clear expectations and workflows
• Oversee accounting systems, fund, grant, and endowment configuration
• Lead or support system implementations, upgrades, and process improvements

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
• 8–10+ years progressive accounting experience, including nonprofit fund accounting
• Experience with endowment accounting and federal grants
• Knowledge of U.S. GAAP, nonprofit standards, and Uniform Guidance
• Experience leading audits, including Single Audits
• Proven people management experience

Preferred

• CPA designation strongly preferred
• Experience in federally funded nonprofits, foundations, or public health organizations
• Familiarity with UPMIFA and endowment spending policies
• Experience with nonprofit ERP systems (Salesforce, NetSuite, Workday)

Core Competencies

• High accuracy and attention to detail
• Strong analytical and compliance-oriented mindset
• Ability to manage complex funding streams and deadlines
• Effective communication with auditors, funders, and leadership
• Commitment to mission-driven financial stewardship

Controller overseeing nonprofit accounting, endowment and federal grant compliance, audits, financial reporting, internal controls, and team leadership.