Controller, Accounting, & Financial Operations

First Book•Washington, DC

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Controller, Accounting & Financial Operations is responsible for the integrity, accuracy, timeliness, and scalability of First Book’s accounting and financial reporting functions. The role leads day-to-day accounting operations and serves as a financial partner to Finance and organizational leadership, providing information for operational and strategic decisions. Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, the Controller leads the accounting team and advances the function from reporting historical results toward providing forward-looking financial insight and decision support.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
Active Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license issued by a U.S. state or jurisdiction, in good standing.
At least 10 years of progressive accounting or finance experience, including a senior-level finance or accounting position.
Expertise in U.S. GAAP and nonprofit accounting, including contributions, grants, restricted funds, and revenue recognition.
Experience owning the financial close, leading annual audits, and designing and maintaining internal controls.
Experience developing budgets, forecasts, and financial models, including during organizational growth.
Strong financial analysis skills, including variance, margin, working capital, and cash flow analysis.
Experience implementing or optimizing accounting systems and automating financial processes.
Experience supervising and developing accounting staff.
Ability to communicate financial results and recommendations clearly to non-financial stakeholders, executive leadership, and the Board.
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and proficiency with Word and PowerPoint.
Legal authorization to work in the United States at the time of application and valid work authorization throughout employment; First Book does not sponsor employment-based visas.

Nice To Haves

Prior Controller experience.
Prior nonprofit accounting experience.
Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) or Accounting (MAcc).
Experience with inventory accounting or earned-revenue/e-commerce business lines.

Responsibilities

Lead accounting operations, including general ledger, accounts payable and receivable, cash management, reconciliations, fixed assets, inventory, and revenue recognition.
Own monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes and establish timelines, review procedures, reconciliations, and controls.
Oversee monthly financial statements, management reporting, financial analysis, and Board-level financial reporting.
Ensure financial reporting complies with U.S. GAAP and applicable nonprofit accounting and reporting requirements.
Develop and maintain accounting policies, procedures, and documentation.
Ensure appropriate accounting and reporting for programs, revenue streams, grants, contributions, inventory, and other significant transactions.
Partner with Finance and program leaders to develop budgets, forecasts, financial models, and operating plans.
Manage and improve forecasting for cash flow, revenue, expenses, working capital, and other financial drivers.
Develop and maintain financial and operating metrics to help leadership understand performance and trends.
Analyze variances to budget and forecast and translate results into actionable management insights.
Evaluate cost structures, pricing, margins, resource allocation, programs, partnerships, and revenue opportunities with operational leaders.
Provide timely and actionable financial information for strategic and operational decision-making.
Design, implement, and strengthen internal controls and financial processes to safeguard assets and ensure financial information integrity.
Establish segregation of duties, approval processes, reconciliations, and other financial controls.
Monitor compliance with financial, tax, regulatory, and contractual requirements; identify risks and recommend mitigation strategies.
Lead the annual financial statement audit and coordinate with external auditors.
Prepare audit schedules and supporting documentation and respond to auditor requests.
Oversee annual tax filings and other required reporting with external accounting and tax advisors.
Monitor audit findings and ensure agreed remediation activities are implemented.
Oversee selection, implementation, integration, and maintenance of accounting and financial systems.
Maintain financial data accuracy, integrity, and appropriate accessibility across systems.
Identify opportunities to automate, streamline, and improve accounting and financial processes.
Develop scalable financial processes and systems to support organizational growth.
Oversee cash management, banking relationships, cash forecasting, and liquidity planning.
Establish controls for cash receipts, disbursements, bank reconciliations, and account management.
Monitor working capital and liquidity to support sustainable operations.
Lead, supervise, and develop the accounting team, setting expectations, priorities, performance standards, and professional development goals.
Manage workflow and resources across the accounting function to ensure timely, high-quality deliverables.
Foster accountability, continuous improvement, collaboration, and financial stewardship.
Serve as a financial resource across the organization and explain complex financial concepts to non-financial stakeholders.
Perform other duties as assigned.