Vice President of Accounting and Controls

As the largest YMCA in the nation, we proudly reach nearly 11% of the County's population, building a stronger, healthier San Diego.

Job Description

The Vice President of Accounting and Controls will serve as a key strategic partner to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), providing leadership in accounting operations and internal controls. This role is responsible for overseeing all accounting and payroll functions and ensuring robust financial controls. The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in accounting, ideally in environments with significant federal funding, and will contribute to the development of the Association’s strategy by identifying financial risks, collaborating with the leadership team in shaping the organization’s growth, optimizing resource allocation, and supporting our long-term fiscal sustainability. This role provides leadership for accounting operations, ensuring effective delegation of transactional activities (e.g., invoice approvals, journal entry processing, payment initiation, and expense management) to appropriate levels within the department while establishing streamlined processes and scalable controls.

This position reports directly to the CFO, collaborates closely with senior leadership to align accounting practices with strategic goals, and provides critical decision-making support. Direct reports include Assistant Controller, Technical Accounting Manager, Director of Payroll, and Vendor Manager.

For information on Y Employee Perks, click on this link: Employee Benefits | YMCA of San Diego County (ymcasd.org)

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required
• Master’s degree in Accounting, Business Administration (MBA), or a related discipline preferred
• Requires a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license
• 15 years' of progressive experience in accounting and financial management, 10 years' of which in a non-profit organization handling federal grants and contracts
• Additional certifications such as Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM) or Certified Management Accountant (CMA) are highly desirable
• 7 years' in a senior leadership role (e.g., Director or VP level) overseeing accounting teams and controls in a complex, regulated environment
• Demonstrated experience with OMB Uniform Guidance, Single Audits, and government contract work, preferably with HHS or similar federal agencies
• Licensing, state law and our government funders require that staff within YMCA of San Diego County be fingerprinted, prior to reporting to work, and include subsequent arrest notifications
  
  

CPR/AED, And First Aid Certification, Must Include Adult And Child/Infant, Obtained Within 30 Days Of Hire And Must Be From One Of The Following Certifying Organizations

• American Red Cross
• American Heart Association
• American Safety & Health Institute
  
  

Essential Functions

• Lead and oversee the accounting department, including general ledger management, financial reporting, accounts payable/receivable, payroll, and fixed asset accounting, ensuring accuracy and timeliness in all financial transactions. Ensure operational workflows—such as invoice approval routing, journal entry processing, payment execution, and expense report review—are properly designed, delegated, and monitored, reducing reliance on senior leadership for transactional tasks
• Lead and oversee the payroll department. Through the Director of Payroll, ensure the efficient operations of Payroll and adherence to all applicable regulations (esp. as related to Uniform Guidance regulations)
• Identify and implement process improvements, including the adoption of financial systems and technologies, including AI and RPA/automation, to enhance efficiency and scalability. Be the leader for the organization’s financial and payroll digital transformation. Redesign departmental processes to shift day‑to‑day transactional responsibilities to appropriate staff levels
• Develop, implement, and monitor internal controls to safeguard assets, prevent fraud, and ensure compliance with GAAP, FASB standards for non-profits, and OMB Uniform Guidance for federal awards
• Develop strategy for and manage/oversee accounting for grants and contracts, including cost allocation, indirect cost rate negotiations, allowable cost determinations, and preparation of financial reports for HHS and other federal agencies
• Lead/oversee the annual audit process (including the Single Audits). Manage the association’s relationships with the external auditors and serve as the co-liaison with the Audit Committee. Coordinate with external auditors and address any findings to maintain compliance and minimize risks
• Serve as a strategic advisor to the CFO and the C-suite on financial planning, risk management, and cash flow optimization strategies, contributing to organizational growth and efficiency initiatives
• Ensure adherence to federal regulations for government contracts, including procurement standards, subrecipient monitoring, and reporting requirements under OMB Uniform Guidance
• Supervise and mentor a team of accounting professionals, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, professional development, and collaboration
• Collaborate with program leaders to support grant proposal development, budgeting, and post-award financial management, ensuring alignment with donor restrictions and federal guidelines
• Monitor emerging regulatory changes related to non-profit accounting and federal funding, and update policies and procedures accordingly to maintain compliance
• Participate in and/or lead cross-functional teams for the Association’s strategic initiatives, such as expansions or new program launches, providing financial expertise and controls oversight
• Other duties as assigned
  
  

YMCA will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the San Diego County Fair Chance Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if the YMCA is concerned about conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the opportunity to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report. Find out more about the Fair Chance Ordinance by visiting the San Diego County Office of Labor Standards and Enforcement.