Senior Director, Finance and Controller

League of Women Voters of the US•Washington, DC

17d•$165,000 - $175,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Director, Finance & Controller serves as the organization's senior accounting and financial operations leader and is responsible for the integrity, transparency, and stewardship of all financial activities for the League of Women Voters of the United States (LWVUS) and the League of Women Voters Education Fund (LWVEF). Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer and serving as a strategic thought partner to executive leadership, the Senior Director leads financial reporting, accounting operations, grants accounting, audit management, internal controls, compliance, cash management, and financial systems administration. The Senior Director, Finance & Controller provides critical financial leadership to the executive team while ensuring compliance with nonprofit accounting standards and supporting organizational growth, sustainability, and mission impact. This position leads and develops one direct report and fosters a culture of accountability, collaboration, inclusion, continuous improvement, and operational excellence. This position is hybrid, requiring working from the office in Washington, DC at least two times (2x) per week.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field
12-15+ years of progressive accounting and financial management experience
Minimum 5 years of senior finance leadership experience
Significant nonprofit accounting experience required
Experience managing annual audits and Form 990 preparation
Experience presenting financial information to executive leadership and governing boards
Experience managing accounting teams through organizational growth and change
Proficiency in nonprofit accounting systems such as QuickBooks, Sage Intacct, or similar ERP platforms.
Advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, complex formulas, data modeling).
Strong understanding of GAAP, nonprofit fund accounting, and restricted fund management.
Strategic Financial Leadership - Uses financial expertise to support organizational strategy, sustainability, and mission impact
Business Partnership - Builds trusted relationships with leaders across the organization and helps translate financial information into actionable decisions
Change Leadership - Effectively leads organizational and departmental change while improving processes and strengthening operational effectiveness
Board & Executive Presence - Communicates confidently and effectively with executive leadership, auditors, and external stakeholders
Leadership & Team Development – Builds trust, inspires accountability, and develops staff capabilities
Communication – Communicates financial concepts clearly to non-financial audiences
Organization & Prioritization – Manages competing timelines with strong attention to detail
Analytical Thinking – Interprets data and provides insight to support decision-making
Integrity & Stewardship – Demonstrates commitment to transparency and safeguarding resources
Commitment to Equity – Supports a culture of inclusion, respect, and mission alignment

Nice To Haves

MBA, MPA, or Master's in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration
CPA preferred but not required
Experience with federal grant compliance strongly preferred

Responsibilities

Serve as a strategic financial advisor to the COO and executive leadership team
Support annual organizational planning, budgeting, forecasting, and long-range financial sustainability initiatives
Develop financial models and scenario planning analyses to support strategic decision-making
Provide recommendations regarding organizational financial health, reserves, and risk management
Lead cash flow forecasting and liquidity management
Monitor organizational reserves and investment activity in partnership with COO
Ensure sufficient operating cash to meet organizational obligations
Recommend strategies to maximize financial sustainability and operational efficiency
Prepare and deliver accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements
Conduct budget-to-actual variance analysis and present key insights to leadership
Maintain a strong financial reporting calendar and ensure timely close processes
Oversee day-to-day accounting operations, including: General ledger, Accounts payable and receivable, Cash flow monitoring, Payroll accounting, Fixed assets and depreciation
Ensure accuracy, completeness, and alignment with GAAP and nonprofit fund accounting standards
Lead the annual financial audit, including preparation of schedules, audit requests, and year-end close
Oversee the preparation and review of Form 990 filings for LWVUS and LWVEF
Ensure compliance with nonprofit accounting regulations, state and federal reporting requirements, and organizational policies
Partner with Development and Program leaders on proposal budgeting and financial grant compliance
Ensure proper grant revenue recognition and indirect cost allocation methodologies
Serve as organizational lead for enterprise financial risk management
Continuously evaluate and strengthen internal controls, segregation of duties, and financial governance practices
Ensure audit-ready financial operations at all times
Lead development and implementation of finance policies, procedures, and internal control frameworks
Lead, mentor, and develop finance and accounting staff
Establish performance goals and professional development plans
Build a high-performing, customer-service-oriented finance function
Champion continuous improvement and accountability throughout the department
Promote a culture of inclusion, transparency, and shared success