Controller

Controller

CPA Required

Tucson Grant Funded Non-Profit Org

Onsite

Salary to $185K Depending on experience

A well-established, grant-funded nonprofit organization is seeking an experienced Controller to provide hands-on leadership of its accounting and financial reporting functions. This is a highly visible role partnering closely with executive leadership and responsible for maintaining strong financial controls, accurate reporting, effective planning, and compliance across a complex funding environment.

The ideal candidate is a technically strong accounting leader who can operate at both the strategic and detailed levels. This individual will lead the accounting function, strengthen processes and systems, and help provide financial stability and insight across the organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes and ensure accurate, timely financial reporting in accordance with GAAP.
• Oversee day-to-day accounting operations, including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll accounting, cash management, reconciliations, and related activities.
• Prepare and review financial statements, management reports, account analyses, and supporting schedules.
• Oversee accounting and reporting for federal and other grants, restricted funding, and donor-restricted funds.
• Ensure appropriate treatment of allowable costs, indirect cost allocations, grant expenditures, and funding restrictions.
• Support and oversee grant reporting, reconciliations, compliance requirements, and drawdown activities.
• Lead annual budgeting, operating forecasts, cash forecasting, and budget-to-actual variance analysis.
• Partner with executive and operational leadership to interpret financial results, identify trends, and connect financial performance to organizational activities and funding requirements.
• Maintain and strengthen internal controls, accounting policies, procedures, and documentation.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for external auditors and coordinate annual financial and compliance audits.
• Ensure audit readiness and timely completion of required schedules and supporting documentation.
• Evaluate accounting processes and systems and identify opportunities for automation, improved reporting, stronger controls, and more efficient workflows.
• Lead, mentor, and develop accounting staff while establishing clear expectations and accountability.
• Provide thoughtful financial analysis and sound accounting judgment on complex or unusual transactions.
• Support executive leadership and the Board with financial information and analysis as needed.

Qualifications

• Active Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license required.
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related discipline required; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum 7–10 years of progressive accounting and financial leadership experience.
• Significant Controller-level or comparable responsibility for financial reporting, close, accounting operations, and internal controls.
• Demonstrated experience within a nonprofit and grant-funded organization.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP and nonprofit accounting principles.
• Experience with federal grants, restricted funding, allowable costs, indirect cost allocations, grant compliance, and nonprofit financial reporting.
• Strong budgeting, forecasting, cash-flow planning, and variance-analysis experience.
• Experience leading external audits; Single Audit or other federal compliance audit experience strongly preferred.
• Strong ERP/accounting systems knowledge and demonstrated process-improvement capabilities.
• Experience managing and developing accounting professionals.
• Ability to communicate complex financial information effectively to executive leadership and non-financial stakeholders.
• Strong analytical ability, professional judgment, intellectual curiosity, and attention to detail.

Leadership Profile

The successful candidate will be a hands-on Controller, not simply an administrator of the accounting function. This individual should be comfortable working directly in the details when necessary while also serving as a trusted financial partner to senior leadership.

We are seeking someone who can bring stability, discipline, and continuous improvement to the accounting organization; challenge assumptions when appropriate; identify issues before they become problems; and develop scalable processes that support the organization's continued growth and mission.

Compensation

Base Salary: $155,000–$185,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications, plus a comprehensive benefits package.

Location: Tucson, Arizona
Employment Type: Full-time
Work Environment: Onsite

All inquiries will be handled confidentially

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