CONTROLLER, ACCOUNTING & FINANCIAL OPERATIONS
First Book | Washington, DC (Hybrid)
ABOUT THE ROLE
The Controller, Accounting & Financial Operations is responsible for the integrity, accuracy, timeliness, and scalability of First Book's accounting and financial reporting functions. This role leads the day-to-day accounting operation and serves as a key financial partner to Finance and organizational leadership, ensuring that financial information supports sound operational and strategic decision-making.
Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, the Controller leads the accounting team and will move the function from reporting historical results to providing forward-looking financial insight and decision support.
WHAT YOU'LL OWN
Accounting & Financial Reporting
- Lead and oversee all accounting operations, including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash management, reconciliations, fixed assets, inventory, revenue recognition, and other accounting activities.
- Own the monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes, establishing appropriate timelines, review procedures, reconciliations, and controls to ensure accurate and timely financial reporting.
- Oversee preparation of monthly financial statements, management reporting, financial analysis, and Board-level financial reporting.
- Ensure financial reporting complies with U.S. GAAP and applicable nonprofit accounting and reporting requirements.
- Develop and maintain accounting policies, procedures, and documentation that support consistent and scalable financial operations.
- Ensure appropriate accounting treatment and financial reporting for First Book's programs, revenue streams, grants, contributions, inventory, and other significant transactions.
Financial Planning, Analysis & Business Partnership
- Partner with Finance leadership and business/program leaders to develop budgets, forecasts, financial models, and operating plans.
- Manage and continuously improve the financial forecasting process, including cash flow, revenue, expenses, working capital, and other key financial drivers.
- Develop and maintain meaningful financial and operating metrics that enable leadership to understand performance, identify trends, and make informed decisions.
- Lead financial analysis of variances to budget and forecast and translate financial results into actionable insights for management.
- Partner with operational leaders to evaluate cost structures, pricing, margins, resource allocation, and the financial implications of new programs, partnerships, and revenue opportunities.
- Provide management with timely, accurate, and actionable financial information to support strategic and operational decision-making.
Internal Controls, Compliance & Risk Management
- Design, implement, and continuously strengthen internal controls and financial processes to safeguard organizational assets and ensure the integrity of financial information.
- Establish appropriate segregation of duties, approval processes, reconciliations, and financial controls.
- Monitor compliance with applicable financial, tax, regulatory, and contractual requirements.
- Identify financial and operational risks and recommend appropriate mitigation strategies.
Audit & Tax
- Lead the annual financial statement audit, serving as the primary internal point of coordination with external auditors.
- Ensure timely preparation of audit schedules, supporting documentation, and responses to auditor requests.
- Partner with external accounting and tax advisors to oversee annual tax filings and other required financial and regulatory reporting.
- Monitor audit findings and ensure timely implementation of agreed-upon remediation activities.
Systems, Data & Process Improvement
- Oversee the selection, implementation, integration, and ongoing maintenance of accounting and financial systems.
- Ensure the accuracy, integrity, and appropriate accessibility of financial data across systems.
- Identify opportunities to automate, streamline, and improve accounting and financial processes.
- Develop scalable financial processes and systems that support organizational growth.
Cash, Banking & Treasury
- Oversee cash management, banking relationships, cash forecasting, and liquidity planning.
- Establish appropriate controls and processes for cash receipts, disbursements, bank reconciliations, and account management.
- Monitor working capital and liquidity to support sustainable operations.
Leadership & Team Management
- Lead, supervise, and develop the accounting team, establishing clear expectations, priorities, performance standards, and professional development goals.
- Manage workflow and resource allocation across the accounting function to ensure timely and high-quality deliverables.
- Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, collaboration, and financial stewardship.
- Serve as a trusted financial resource to colleagues across the organization and communicate complex financial concepts clearly to non-financial stakeholders.
Additional Responsibilities
- Other duties as assigned.
EDUCATION
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required.
- Active Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license issued by a U.S. state or jurisdiction, in good standing, required.
- Master's degree in Business Administration (MBA) or Accounting (MAcc) preferred.
SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
- Minimum of ten years of progressive accounting or finance experience, including a senior-level finance or accounting position, required; prior Controller and/or nonprofit accounting experience strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated expertise in U.S. GAAP and nonprofit accounting, including contributions, grants, restricted funds, and revenue recognition.
- Proven experience owning the financial close, leading annual audits, and designing and maintaining internal controls.
- Experience developing budgets, forecasts, and financial models, including during a period of organizational growth.
- Exceptional financial analysis skills, including variance, margin, working capital, and cash flow analysis.
- Experience implementing or optimizing accounting systems and automating financial processes.
- Demonstrated experience supervising and developing accounting staff.
- Ability to communicate financial results and recommendations clearly to non-financial stakeholders, executive leadership, and the Board.
- Experience with inventory accounting or earned-revenue/e-commerce business lines preferred.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel; proficiency with Word and PowerPoint.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:
Salary Range: $125,000 (non-negotiable).
All full-time employees are eligible for the following:
- Medical and dental insurance coverage
- Life insurance and Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) coverage
- Paid vacation and sick leave
- 12 paid holidays annually
- 401(k) retirement plan with employer matching contributions
- Employer-provided parking stipend (Washington, DC)
TO APPLY
- Submit a resume and a cover letter detailing your interest in this position.
- Only applications submitted through First Book's approved platform will be reviewed.
- First Book does not accept unsolicited recruiter submissions and does not pay fees for resumes submitted outside of a formal written agreement.
WORK PRESENCE & EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS
- This is a hybrid position requiring regular in-office presence at First Book's Washington, DC office on designated days to support internal collaboration and partnership activities.
- Relocation assistance is not provided.
WORK PRESENCE & EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS
- This position is structured as a hybrid role and requires regular in-office presence at First Book's Washington, DC office on designated days to support collaboration and partnership activities.
- Reasonable accommodation will be considered in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.
- Relocation assistance is not provided.
