Controller

The Hope Foundation for Cancer Research

Controller

Job Type: Exempt

Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan – Hybrid

Compensation Package: Competitive salary and benefits package with employer-matched 403(b)

Position Summary:

Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), the Controller is a key strategic and operational finance leader responsible for the integrity, accuracy, and effectiveness of The Hope Foundation for Cancer Research’s accounting operations. This role oversees day-to-day accounting, financial reporting, grants and clinical trial finance administration, internal controls, audit readiness, and compliance with applicable nonprofit accounting standards and sponsor requirements. Leading a team of four finance professionals, the Controller ensures that systems, processes, and reporting practices support a complex portfolio of federal and non-federal grants, clinical trials, restricted funding, and multi-funder budgets. The successful candidate will bring strong nonprofit controllership experience, deep knowledge of 2 CFR Part 200/Uniform Guidance, excellent judgment, and the ability to translate complex financial information into clear, actionable insights for organizational leadership.

Reports to: Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Direct Reports: - Two Senior Accountants
- Two Accounting Specialists

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Accounting and Reporting Leadership

• Responsible for all day-to-day accounting operations, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash receipts, cash and investment reconciliations, payroll-related financial processes, general ledger maintenance, account analysis, month-end and year-end close
• Lead monthly, quarterly, and year-end close processes, ensuring timely, accurate, and complete financial statements prepared in accordance with nonprofit GAAP and internal reporting deadlines
• Coordinate the review journal entries, reconciliations, schedules, and supporting documentation to ensure accuracy, consistency, and appropriate classification across funds, grants, programs, departments, and clinical trial activity
• Oversee the allocation of shared costs, indirect costs, administrative overhead, and restricted funding across diverse program, grant, and clinical trial structures
• Prepare, review, and analyze financial reports for the CFO, leadership team, board committees, funders, and other stakeholders, highlighting trends, risks, variances, and opportunities for improved financial management
• Maintain strong accounting calendars, workflows, documentation standards, and close checklists to promote accountability, timeliness, and continuous process improvement Directly manages and develops two Senior Accountants and two Accounting Specialists, including workload allocation, performance management, cross-training, succession planning, and professional development
• Partner closely with the CFO to strengthen financial strategy, reporting infrastructure, cash management, forecasting inputs, and organizational decision support

Grant & Clinical Trial Administration

• Oversee post-award financial management for federal, non-federal, foundation, and industry-sponsored awards, including budget setup, expenditure monitoring, billing, reporting, closeout, and compliance documentation
• Serve as a finance subject matter expert for Sage Intacct’s grant tracking, project, billing, revenue recognition, and reporting functionality, ensuring accurate use of dimensions, funding sources, restrictions, and billing rules
• Collaborate with budgeting, grants management, program, and clinical trial teams to develop, monitor, and revise budgets; track milestones; identify eligible costs; and trigger accurate sponsor invoicing and reimbursement requests
• Ensure accurate revenue recognition for clinical trials and conditional or restricted awards, including reconciliation of deferred revenue, milestone payments, sponsor receivables, and related expenses Monitor spending against approved budgets and award terms, identifying variances, potential overruns, underutilization, cost-sharing obligations, and compliance concerns in a timely manner.
• Ensure federal and non-federal expenditures comply with sponsor requirements, organizational policies, allowability standards, documentation requirements, and 2 CFR Part 200/Uniform Guidance Support funder reporting, drawdowns, reimbursement packages, audit requests, and closeout deliverables with complete, accurate, and well-organized financial documentation
• Communicate complex financial, grant, and clinical trial accounting matters clearly to non-financial stakeholders, promoting shared understanding and timely action

Internal Controls & Audit Coordination

• Protect organizational assets by designing, implementing, documenting, and enforcing effective internal controls, accounting policies, approval workflows, segregation of duties, and risk-mitigation practices
• Continuously evaluate finance processes and systems to improve efficiency, strengthen compliance, reduce manual work, and enhance data integrity across the accounting function
• Serve as the primary liaison with external auditors for the annual financial statement audit, coordinating schedules, documentation requests, management responses, and timely completion of audit deliverables
• Coordinate preparation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) and support accurate, well-documented execution of the annual Single Audit, as applicable
• Lead preparation and review of tax, compliance, and regulatory filings in partnership with external advisors, including Form 990 support schedules and other required financial submissions
• Maintain audit-ready records, policies, reconciliations, and supporting documentation for grants, clinical trials, restricted funds, and general operating activity

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field required; CPA, CMA, MBA, or relevant advanced coursework strongly preferred
• Seven or more years of progressively responsible accounting and financial management experience, including at least four years in a senior nonprofit accounting leadership, controller, or assistant controller role
• Demonstrated hands‑on experience managing complex federal grants, restricted funds, and/or clinical trial financial activity, including budget-to-actual monitoring, sponsor billing, revenue recognition, reporting, and closeout
• Deep working knowledge of nonprofit GAAP, fund accounting, internal controls, audit preparation, SEFA support, Single Audit requirements, and 2 CFR Part 200/Uniform Guidance
• High proficiency with Sage Intacct or comparable nonprofit accounting systems, including grants/projects, dimensions, reporting, billing, and revenue recognition functionality; strong Microsoft 365 and advanced Excel skills required
• Proven ability to lead, coach, and develop accounting staff while building clear expectations, accountability, cross‑training, and a culture of accuracy and continuous improvement
• Excellent analytical, organizational, communication, and problem‑solving skills, with strong attention to detail, sound professional judgment, and the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
• Ability to work collaboratively with financial and non‑financial stakeholders, explain complex accounting concepts clearly, and support mission‑driven decision‑making

The Hope Foundation’s Diversity Commitment

At The Hope Foundation, we value unique experiences and are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment. We provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic disposition, neurodiversity, disability, veteran status, or any other protected category under federal, state, and local law.