Controller, Accounting, & Financial Operations

First Books•Washington, DC

16d•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, helping ensure financial information supports operational and strategic decision-making. 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. This is a hybrid position requiring regular in-office presence on designated days at First Book’s Washington, DC office. Relocation assistance is not provided. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States and maintain valid work authorization throughout employment; First Book does not sponsor employment-based visas.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
Active Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license in good standing.
Minimum of ten 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 financial close processes, 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; proficiency with Word and PowerPoint.
Regular in-office presence at First Book’s Washington, DC office on designated days.
Legal authorization to work in the United States at application and valid work authorization throughout employment.

Nice To Haves

Prior Controller experience.
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, accounts receivable, fixed assets, inventory, and revenue recognition.
Own monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes and deliver accurate, timely financial statements, management reporting, and Board-level reporting in compliance with U.S. GAAP and applicable nonprofit requirements.
Partner with Finance leadership and business and program leaders to develop budgets, forecasts, financial models, and operating plans; lead variance analysis and provide actionable insights.
Develop financial and operating metrics and evaluate cost structures, pricing, margins, and the financial implications of new programs, partnerships, and revenue opportunities.
Design, implement, and strengthen internal controls, including segregation of duties, approval processes, and reconciliations.
Monitor compliance with financial, tax, regulatory, and contractual requirements; identify risks and recommend mitigation strategies.
Lead the annual financial statement audit and partner with external tax advisors on tax filings and required regulatory reporting.
Oversee accounting and financial systems, protect data integrity, and drive automation and scalable processes.
Oversee cash management, banking relationships, cash forecasting, and liquidity planning.
Lead, supervise, and develop the accounting team, promoting accountability, continuous improvement, and financial stewardship.
Serve as a trusted financial resource across the organization.
Perform other duties as assigned.