Assistant Controller

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Human Rights Watch ("HRW") is seeking an Assistant Controller for its Finance Division. The Assistant Controller will assist the Global Controller of Finance Division to ensure the highest standards of designing, developing, and implementing the division’s strategy. The Assistant Controller will also liaise with other parts of the organization to ensure the content supports the work of the organization and help manage the division.

This role is responsible for leading the preparation, review, and reconciliation of financial statements across multiple regions, ensuring accuracy and compliance with U.S. GAAP, IFRS, and local accounting standards. The position also oversees global payroll and intercompany transactions, while serving as a key point of contact for internal and external audits worldwide. The ideal candidate will bring deep technical accounting expertise, strong leadership skills, and a proven ability to operate effectively in a complex, multinational environment.

This position reports to the Global Controller of the Finance Division based in Washington, DC. This is a full‑time remote position and will be based in New York or Washington DC. In‑office attendance is required once every six weeks.

Responsibilities

• Partner with the Global Controller to design, develop and implement strategies, and set priorities for multiple units and teams;
• Innovate and lead the new opportunities, initiatives, and areas of interest for the department that will achieve strategic goals;
• Support system enhancements, policy development, and process improvements to optimize financial operations as assigned by leadership;
• Assist the Global Controller in leading the division and assume duties in the absence of the Director;
• Interact and partner regularly with HRW staff across all departments to ensure effective organization‑wide coordination and delivery of activities, processes, and outcomes;
• Lead the preparation, review, and reconciliation of financial statements for global operations, ensuring accuracy and compliance with U.S. GAAP, IFRS, and local accounting standards;
• Oversee global payroll processing and manage inter-company transactions, ensuring timely execution, accuracy, and regulatory compliance across all regions;
• Lead and coordinate external and internal audits for multiple regions, maintain strong internal controls, and ensure timely resolution of audit issues;
• Provide accounting guidance and support to global teams, ensuring consistency in financial reporting and adherence to regulatory requirements;
• Prepare comprehensive board reports and assist with regulatory filings, such as IRS Form 990, to support executive decision‑making and compliance;
• Assist the Global Controller in regularly monitoring the budget and ensuring that resources are allocated appropriately;
• Assist the Global Controller in leading the division’s hiring process;
• Oversee, recruit, train, and supervise the US Payroll Manager and Reporting Accountant in alignment with organizational expectations, and
• Perform additional responsibilities as required.

Qualifications

Education: A bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience in accounting, business administration, or a related field is required.

Experience: A minimum of ten years of relevant work experience is required, preferably within a global, large‑scale, diverse, and dynamic mission‑driven organization operating internationally.

Required Skills and Knowledge

• Ability to process, reconcile, and report on multi‑location payroll is required.
• Solid experience with general accounting and bookkeeping is required.
• Strong computer knowledge including advanced skills with Microsoft Excel and a highly developed understanding of spreadsheet and database systems are required.
• Excellent time‑management skills, strong attention to detail, ability to prioritize tasks, and ability to work independently with minimal supervision, as well as function as a member of a team are required.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate with all levels of staff in order to work collaboratively within HRW are required.
• Ability to work with staff in remote locations and experience working in a diverse and multinational environment is required.
• Capacity to appropriately plan and manage multiple, sometimes competing demands efficiently in a challenging, fast‑paced environment is required.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to solve problems creatively are required.
• Strong oral and written communications skills in English are required.
• Prior experience with nonprofit software such as NetSuite and third‑party payroll software such as UKG is highly desirable.
• Prior experience working in nonprofit/NGO global accounting operation required.
• Lead, motivate, and mentor direct reports, including communicating clear expectations, setting performance objectives, providing regular and timely constructive feedback, and offering guidance on professional growth.
• Participate in budgeting and strategic planning for one’s team, managing associated risks and identifying opportunities.

Other: Applicants must possess work authorization to live and work in the US. HRW is unable to provide sponsorship for work authorization for this role.

Salary and Benefits

HRW seeks exceptional applicants and offers competitive compensation and employer‑paid benefits. The salary range for this position if based in the US is USD 121,000 – 133,250.

How to Apply

Please apply by January 6, 2026 by visiting our online job portal at careers.hrw.org and attaching a cover letter and resume, preferably in PDF format. No calls or email inquiries, please. Only complete applications will be reviewed, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

If you are experiencing technical difficulties with your application submission or require a disability related accommodation, please email View email address on click.appcast.io. Due to the large response, application submissions via email will not be accepted and inquiries regarding the status of applications will go unanswered.

Human Rights Watch is strong because it is diverse. We actively seek a diverse applicant pool and encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. Human Rights Watch does not discriminate on the basis of disability, age, gender identity and expression, national origin, race and ethnicity, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or criminal record. We welcome all kinds of diversity. Our employees include people who are parents and nonparents, the self‑taught and university educated, and from a wide span of socio‑economic backgrounds and perspectives on the world. Human Rights Watch is an equal opportunity employer.

Human Rights Watch is an international human rights monitoring and advocacy organization known for its in‑depth investigations, its incisive and timely reporting, its innovative and high‑profile advocacy campaigns, and its success in changing the human rights‑related policies and practices of influential governments and international institutions.