Controller

DescriptionColleen McAuliffe from Robert Half is looking for an experienced Controller to lead core accounting and financial management activities for a nonprofit organization in San Jose, California. This position will guide financial reporting, regulatory compliance, and internal control practices in a federally funded environment while serving as a trusted advisor to executive leadership. The ideal candidate brings strong expertise in government-funded programs, cost-based accounting, and financial planning, along with the ability to strengthen processes and support sound operational decisions.Responsibilities:• Direct daily finance and accounting activities, including payables, receivables, payroll oversight, general ledger management, reconciliations, cash administration, fixed asset tracking, billing, and purchasing controls.• Produce and review monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and timely delivery of supporting schedules.• Maintain compliance with federal funding requirements by overseeing financial practices related to grants, contracts, cooperative agreements, and cost-reimbursable programs.• Prepare required financial submissions, tax-related filings, and documentation for multiple entities while preserving accurate records for restricted and unrestricted funds.• Act as the primary point of contact for external auditors and government reviewers, coordinating audit support and promoting ongoing audit readiness.• Oversee indirect cost methodologies, including fringe, overhead, and administrative allocations, and support the development of billing rates, pricing models, and cost proposals.• Partner with program and operational leaders to build budgets, monitor spending, analyze financial variances, and improve forecasting and cash planning.• Strengthen financial policies, internal controls, procurement documentation, and subcontractor compliance practices to reduce risk and improve accountability.• Lead, coach, and develop accounting staff while presenting financial insights, compliance updates, and performance recommendations to senior leadership.• Manage financial systems and related process improvement efforts to enhance reporting quality, efficiency, and decision support.Requirements• 7+ years of progressive accounting or controllership experience, including leadership responsibility for financial operations and reporting.• Strong background in federal government reporting, grant and contract compliance, and application of Uniform Guidance and related regulatory standards.• Demonstrated expertise in cost accounting, including indirect rate structures, allowable cost treatment, and manufacturing cost accounting principles.• Experience supporting organizations with government-funded research, technology, manufacturing, defense, or nonprofit operations.• Proficiency with month-end close, consolidations, budgeting, forecasting, and cash management in a complex accounting environment.• Hands-on experience with NetSuite or a comparable ERP platform used for financial reporting and operational oversight.• Knowledge of ITAR and other compliance considerations relevant to federally regulated programs.• Excellent communication and leadership skills with the ability to work cross-functionally and advise executive stakeholders.Job typePerm