Finance Controller

Tribal EcoRestoration Alliance • Lakeport, CA

2d • $38 - $44 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Finance Controller oversees TERA’s financial operations, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and alignment with organizational goals. The role manages financial records, supervises the Financial Data Specialist, and ensures adherence to applicable regulations and standards. As a member of the administrative team, the Finance Controller supports financial operations across the organization, working with stewardship crews, program staff who manage grants, and the Board of Directors. The position contributes to TERA’s mission by providing financial management and accounting expertise, accurate reporting, attention to detail, and high-quality service to internal and external stakeholders.

The role reports to the Deputy Director and supervises the Financial Data Specialist. TERA’s offices and headquarters are located between Upper Lake and Lakeport, California, but the working location is flexible: in person, hybrid, or primarily remote. The employee must travel to Upper Lake for at least one week per quarter. The preferred schedule is 40 hours per week, with the option to reduce to 32 hours per week. The position is hourly and non-exempt, paying $38.00–$44.00 per hour, commensurate with experience.

Responsibilities include overseeing accounting, cash management, accounts payable and receivable, payroll quality control, grant invoicing and cost allocations, financial policies and procedures, reporting, audits, regulatory compliance, insurance, contracts, and finance-related systems and staff training. The position also coordinates annual audits and tax filings and administers TERA’s SIMPLE IRA plan.

TERA is a community-based, intertribal nonprofit organization founded in 2019. It works to revitalize ecology, economy, and culture through Indigenous-led stewardship. Its mission is to cultivate land stewardship, livelihood, and leadership skills through collaborative relationships between Tribal members and the broader community. TERA’s program goals include strengthening intergenerational ties to land and culture, connecting Native people with meaningful livelihoods and culturally relevant work in ancestral territories, regenerating the local ecology of the North Coast Ranges, and building capacity for Native voices in land stewardship.

Requirements

• A two- to four-year degree in accounting, business, finance, or a related field, or relevant work experience.
• At least 4 years of experience in government grant management.
• At least 4 years of experience supervising a finance team.
• At least 6 years of experience in nonprofit financial management or accounting, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Experience with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
• Proficiency with QuickBooks; preferably a certified user or eligible for certification.
• High proficiency in MS Excel, including formulas, import range, and formatting, and in Google Workspace applications.
• Cultural competency, humility, self-awareness, and willingness to learn.
• Commitment to cross-cultural work and bridge building.
• Ability to listen well and give and receive direct, honest, and constructive feedback.
• Positive attitude and ability to work independently and contribute to a collaborative team.
• Strong work ethic, reliability, accountability, and commitment to excellence.
• Flexibility, adaptability, and capacity to work in a fluid and often fast-paced environment.
• Commitment to follow and enforce TERA policies, maintain professionalism, and represent TERA and Tribal communities with dignity and integrity.
• Patient, personable, and approachable, with the ability to build and maintain strong relationships with a diverse team and external partners.
• Highly motivated and self-directed, with the ability to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Good judgment and ability to prioritize effectively under pressure and balance competing demands.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for collaboration and information sharing.
• Ability to manage and disseminate information accurately and effectively.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with Tribal communities.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the Financial Data Specialist and ensure accurate, timely financial recordkeeping in compliance with GAAP.
• Track daily cash balances and transfer schedules; follow Board cash-management procedures, coordinate banking setup, and monitor investments.
• Review and manage monthly accounts in the accounting system, including data entry and reconciliation; resolve discrepancies involving RAMP and Stripe plug-ins and related application issues.
• Oversee accuracy in RAMP and QuickBooks Online, including monthly completion and review of staff credit-card expenses.
• Oversee and implement funding-portfolio cost allocations in the accounting system, including calculating fiscal-year fringe rates and budgeting.
• Manage the CPA consultant responsible for monthly allocations to state and federal grants, month-end close, reconciliations, and audit support.
• Oversee the Financial Data Specialist’s bi-monthly payroll process and payroll tax filings, and work with the Deputy Director to resolve payroll and deduction discrepancies.
• Support the Financial Data Specialist in meeting monthly invoicing deadlines for grantors and clients; review invoices for accuracy, particularly reimbursable grants.
• Monitor accounts receivable and coordinate with project managers to collect past-due invoices.
• Lead monthly collaborative reviews of financial data, codes, and projects to provide quality control for reimbursable-grant invoicing.
• Issue credit cards under TERA policy; respond to limit-increase requests and support RAMP workflows and staff application issues.
• Open mail, secure and deposit checks, reconcile transaction lists, and maintain a real-time accounts receivable and accounts payable dashboard for management.
• Manage and issue paper checks.
• Monitor federal and state grant-administration and audit regulations, and support grant-management staff in complying with requirements for federally funded projects.
• Work with the Deputy Director and Executive Director to provide high-level financial oversight and support development of fiscal policies and procedures.
• Research potential payroll or fund-accounting system transitions with the Deputy Director.
• Train staff on finance processes, best practices, internal controls, and financial management.
• Prepare and deliver financial statements and reports for the Executive Director, Board of Directors, funders, and program staff.
• Manage and coordinate annual financial audits and regulatory reporting, including annual audit responsibilities and coordination of Form 990 submissions.
• Support the Deputy Director and grant managers in organizational compliance with federal financial regulations, including 2 CFR Part 200, and provide staff with regulatory updates related to accounting, procurement, and financial management.
• Oversee administration of the SIMPLE IRA retirement plan and provide staff onboarding training and reporting.
• Oversee 1099 and W-2 tax reporting and related communications with staff and other parties.
• Conduct the annual workers’ compensation audit.
• Acquire and manage general organizational insurance policies, including general liability, directors and officers, and workers’ compensation coverage, as well as other policies as needed.
• Read active contracts and instruct the finance team on invoicing and audit requirements; review draft finance department contracts.
• Set up new staff in QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Time, and troubleshoot staff access issues.

Benefits

• Employer contribution to a SIMPLE IRA retirement plan.
• Flexible pre-tax health care benefit for employees and their families, reimbursing up to $600 per month for qualifying medical expenses.
• Up to 32 days of paid time off annually, including 15 holidays, 5 days of sick leave, and 12 days of accrued PTO.
• On-the-job training.
• Dynamic colleagues and a great working environment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: Associate degree