Controller

The Controller will play a key role in the organization's financial management and reporting. This position oversees the financial reporting, annual audit, accounting operations, investment accounting, grants accounting, procurement, accounts payable, travel management, and treasury. This role is responsible for ensuring accurate and timely recording of financial transactions and providing strategic financial guidance to support decision-making processes.

Key Responsibilities:
Financial Management:
• Supervise and manage the day-to-day operations of the accounting department.
• Ensure accurate and timely recording of financial transactions, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, and general ledger entries.
• Maintain a system of controls over accounting transactions to minimize financial risks.
• Manage treasury function, including the organization's cash flow and forecasting and bank accounts.

Financial Reporting:
• Prepare and analyze monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements.
• Provide financial reports and analysis to support executive decision-making.
• Ensure compliance with relevant accounting standards and regulations.

Audit and Compliance:
• Coordinate and manage the external audit process.
• Ensure compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and reporting requirements.
• Implement and maintain internal control procedures.

Payroll
• Manage salary and wage processing, payroll tax compliance, record keeping, and compliance with employment laws.

Procurement, Accounts Payable and Travel Management:
• Manage procurement, accounts payable, and travel and expense management.
• Monitor financials policies and procedures.

Grants Accounting and Payments:
• Responsible for activities related to grant payments, including bank accounts, payments, system interfaces (from grants to the accounting system), payment reconciliation, cash flow projections, and grants payables reporting.

Investment Accounting:
• Oversee, manage, and record activities related to the Foundation’s investments.
• Manage relationship with custody bank and investment managers.

Team Leadership:
• Lead and mentor the accounting team.
• Foster a positive and collaborative work environment.
• Conduct performance evaluations and provide feedback for professional development.

Strategy, Technology and Systems:
• Recommend improvements to financial performance.
• Evaluate and implement financial systems and processes to improve efficiency and effectiveness.

The Candidate
The successful candidate for this position will be a highly skilled and talented finance executive with multifaceted expertise and excellent interpersonal and communication skills. They will exhibit exceptional strategic, financial, management, and operational skills and a demonstrated track record of success in a role of analogous complexity in academia, government, or the private sector. The ideal candidate will have proven experience managing, mentoring, and developing diverse teams and experience leading strategic planning and multi-year financial planning.

Experiences and Professional Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or related field. CPA or CMA certification required. MBA preferred.
• 10+ years in a senior‐level finance or accounting position with deep experience in building a high performing finance function including strategic planning and execution, financial reporting, investment accounting, grants accounting, procurement, and other financial operations.
• Strong knowledge of accounting principles and practices including GAAP accounting.
• Progressive leadership experience for a non-profit, foundation, or organization of similar complexity.
• Ability to establish metrics tied to financial and institutional strategies, monitor progress towards them, and drive desired results.
• Demonstrated strategic mindset, including excellent analytical, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills.
• Proven experience evaluating, managing, and/or implementing accounting and enterprise systems/processes.
• Possess the fortitude and professionalism to confidently communicate with senior leadership and share unpopular points of view to ensure that the institution meets its financial expectations now and in the future.
• Outstanding leadership ability, including communication and presentation skills, confidence, executive presence, and track record for building and managing high performing teams.
• Demonstrate strong emotional intelligence, be a highly skilled communicator and facilitator, and an effective leader.
• Demonstrate excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills; excellent judgment in communicating within a variety of settings.
• Must be a highly organized, ability to effectively manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Demonstrated expertise in building relationships, networks, and support systems in complex, multi-faceted environments.
• Knowledge of, passion for, and commitment to the Foundation’s mission.