Controller

Convergent Research

10d•Remote

About The Position

Convergent Research is a nonprofit science studio that supports Focused Research Organizations (FROs) by providing the operational infrastructure they need to pursue ambitious scientific projects. The organization supports 14 FROs across the United States, the United Kingdom, and Chile, with an annual budget of $75 million and growing. The Controller oversees accounting across Convergent, its disregarded entities, and subsidiaries, covering the general ledger, monthly close, internal controls, audits, and regulatory compliance. The role also builds and operates the federal grants program, including compliance with 2 CFR Part 200 from award setup through closeout. Reporting to the Head of Finance, the Controller leads Finance & Accounting Managers and serves as an in-house expert on GAAP and federal grant compliance, advising team members, FROs, and organizational leaders on significant matters. This is a fully remote position with domestic travel required quarterly for team and organizational onsites, and as needed. The Controller will lead the transition of accounting work from an outsourced firm to the in-house team, maintain audit readiness, strengthen accounting systems and controls, and make financial information useful and accessible to colleagues across disciplines. Within the first six months, the Controller is expected to learn the accounting and grant needs of each FRO; build strong working relationships; assess federal grants compliance and deliver a roadmap; establish award-level monitoring for active federal awards; and implement a consistent monthly close calendar and review standards.

Requirements

Deep, hands-on experience across the full nonprofit accounting cycle, including fund accounting, net asset restrictions, multi-entity consolidation, and revenue recognition for contributions, grants, and exchange transactions.
Experience researching and documenting technical accounting positions and applying GAAP to matters such as conditional grants, restricted gifts, leases, and intercompany transactions.
Extensive experience participating in audits and Single Audits and preparing or supporting Form 990 filings.
Knowledge of 2 CFR Part 200 and experience building federal grant compliance programs, including policies, procedures, control documentation, systems, and self-audits.
Comfort with federal agencies and award types, including grants, cooperative agreements, and other transactions.
Experience leading accounting teams, including managers; ability to set clear standards, review work, and develop team members.
Strong attention to detail and sound judgment about materiality and when to push back on compliance or GAAP matters.
Strong familiarity with accounting systems and the ability to work across multiple systems.
Ability to explain complex accounting matters clearly to colleagues without finance backgrounds.
Willingness to travel domestically quarterly for team and organizational onsites and as needed.

Responsibilities

Oversee monthly reconciliation and close across Convergent, its disregarded entities, and subsidiaries, including consolidation and intercompany accounting.
Set the close calendar and review standards, and oversee balance-sheet accuracy.
Manage and develop Finance & Accounting Managers, set priorities, review work, and establish performance and team-success metrics.
Design and implement the federal grants compliance program under 2 CFR Part 200, including policies, procedures, internal controls, allowable-cost review, time and effort reporting, cost allocation, indirect and fringe rate support, and subrecipient monitoring.
Oversee federal awards from award setup through closeout, including review of budget-to-actuals, burn rates, cost share, drawdowns, invoicing, federal financial reports, SEFA, and procurement documentation.
Identify and address risks or errors in federal award administration early.
Lead annual audit and Single Audit preparation, including PBC requests, supporting schedules, SEFA, and corrective action plans; coordinate 990 workpapers with the preparer and own regulatory financial reporting.
Oversee revenue recognition, donor restriction tracking and releases, payroll allocations, and time and effort reporting across entities.
Review monthly financial reports for relevance, consistency, and completeness, and advocate for improvements that support decision-making.
Write and maintain accounting SOPs and internal-control documentation, improve workflows and systems, and maintain controls across entities.
Partner with the Head of Finance to transition work from the outsourced accounting firm in-house, assign ownership for tasks, and maintain the close during the handoff.
Support the Head of Finance with the annual budget, financial policies, and internal-control design, and serve as backup for chart-of-accounts changes.
Communicate financial insights in an accessible and actionable way to scientists, engineers, program leads, and other colleagues.
Within the first six months, learn each FRO's business and accounting and grant needs; build relationships with teams and external partners; assess federal grants compliance and establish priority policies and controls; set up monitoring for active federal awards; and standardize the close calendar and review standards.

Benefits

Competitive salary of $176,000, with a 5–10% premium for especially high-cost labor locations or work from the New York City office.
Up to a 6% 401(k) match.
Medical, dental, and vision insurance, with the majority of options fully covered for employees and dependents.
Company-paid life insurance, AD&D, and long- and short-term disability insurance, plus voluntary supplemental insurance options.
19 holidays, including a full week off at the end of the year.
Three weeks of PTO, with increases based on tenure, plus separate sick and parental leave allotments.
Fertility benefits and childcare reimbursement.
Education and professional development benefits.
Wellness allowance for fitness and wellness activities.
Three team retreats per year and additional opportunities to meet teammates in person.