Vice President, Accounting

Environmental Defense Fund•Washington DC, DC

About The Position

The Vice President, Accounting is a senior finance leader responsible for the integrity, transparency, and strategic oversight of the organization’s financial operations. The role oversees general ledger, financial reporting, compliance, and treasury functions; ensures best-in-class accounting practices and regulatory compliance; and advises executive leadership. The position reports to the EVP & Chief Financial Officer and has three direct reports. It fosters collaboration across departments and supports financial stewardship aligned with the organization’s mission and long-term sustainability. The Vice President provides strategic direction for accounting and finance operations, ensures accurate and timely financial information, leads and develops the team, and advises on financial risks and opportunities. The role oversees close governance, accounting policies, internal and external reporting, regulatory compliance, audits, controls, treasury, and financial systems transformation. It also supports organizational effectiveness and an inclusive culture.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field.
CPA certification.
At least 15 years of progressive accounting experience, including at least 5 years in public accounting and 5 years in a leadership role.
Experience in a large nonprofit with complex funding structures.
Strong knowledge of nonprofit accounting standards, Uniform Guidance, and donor/grant compliance.
Deep knowledge of US GAAP and strong knowledge of internal controls and regulatory requirements.
Proven experience overseeing an accounting function, reporting, treasury, and audits.
Experience with nonprofit ERP systems.
Comprehensive analytical skills, strong attention to detail, and the ability to identify issues, analyze root causes, and develop practical solutions.
Experience working with executive leadership, audit and finance committees, and a Board of Trustees.
Ability to drive timely decisions, meet deadlines, and achieve goals in a complex environment.
Proven time-management skills and ability to manage multiple responsibilities while working with individuals across time zones.
Excellent verbal and written communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact effectively with stakeholders at all organizational levels.
Integrity, ethics, and professionalism in handling confidential information and sensitive situations.
Ability to lead, coach, and develop high-performing teams, fostering accountability, collaboration, and continued professional growth.
Self-awareness, cultural competency, inclusiveness, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across cultures and backgrounds.
Proficiency in audit software, data analytics tools, and Microsoft Office applications, including Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally up to 10% of the time, as needed.

Nice To Haves

MBA.
Experience with nonprofit ERP systems such as NetSuite and NetSuite Planning & Budgeting.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic direction over the general ledger, financial reporting, compliance, and treasury functions.
Ensure the integrity, accuracy, and timeliness of financial information.
Advise the CFO and executive team on financial risks and opportunities.
Lead and develop a high-performing accounting and finance team.
Participate in advancing organizational effectiveness and culture goals, fostering an environment where people from all backgrounds feel connected, included, and empowered.
Oversee and optimize monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes.
Establish and enforce accounting policies in accordance with GAAP and nonprofit standards.
Ensure accounting operations are scalable and consistent across the organization.
Provide oversight on complex accounting issues and technical interpretations.
Oversee preparation of internal and external financial reports, including board and committee materials.
Ensure financial reporting is clear, accurate, and relevant for executive decision-making.
Translate financial data into strategic recommendations.
Ensure compliance with nonprofit regulations, including Form 990, CGA, FBAR, and other filings.
Provide executive oversight of the annual audit and agreed procedure audits.
Design enhanced internal control processes and maintain a robust internal control environment and risk management framework.
Oversee cash-flow strategy, liquidity planning, and investment oversight.
Manage banking relationships and relationships with financial institutions.
Establish policies for cash management, investments, reserves, and financial risk mitigation.
Lead continuous improvement and transformation of finance processes.
Drive adoption and optimization of financial systems and reporting tools.
Champion automation, scalability, data-driven decision-making, and best practices across finance functions.