Controller

New York Cares; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid schedule

Holiday time off

PTO 12/18 days

Summer Fridays

Health benefits

403(b) retirement

Paid sick leave

Job summary

New York Cares, New York City's largest volunteer organization, seeks a Controller to lead day-to-day accounting, ensure accuracy of financial reporting, and strengthen internal controls across the nonprofit. You will work closely with the CFOO and partners to support decision-making and operational integrity.

The role emphasizes process improvements, staff development, and scalable financial operations to sustain program growth and impact in education, hunger, and public spaces.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting; CPA strongly preferred.
• 5+ years as a Controller; nonprofit experience preferred.
• Strong knowledge of nonprofit accounting, GAAP, financial reporting, and internal controls.
• Experience supervising accounting staff.
• Experience leading annual audits and Form 990 preparation.
• Strong Excel skills and experience with nonprofit accounting systems.
• Experience with donor databases (Salesforce) and payroll systems (Justworks).
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day accounting operations including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash management, reconciliations, and month-end close.
• Ensure accurate and timely preparation of internal and external financial reports.
• Maintain and improve accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls.
• Oversee financial systems and accounting workflows, identifying opportunities for automation and efficiency.
• Supervise two staff accountants, providing coaching, training, and performance management.
• Partner with the CFOO on annual budgeting, forecasting, liquidity planning, and financial analysis.
• Develop and maintain cash flow forecasting and reporting processes.
• Support department leaders with budget monitoring, financial reporting, and variance analysis.
• Lead preparation for the annual audit, 403(b) audit, and other compliance reviews.
• Coordinate audit schedules, workpapers, and responses to auditor requests.
• Assist with preparation of Form 990 schedules and other regulatory filings.
• Ensure compliance with GAAP, nonprofit accounting standards, donor restrictions, grant requirements, and organizational policies.
• Partner with Development and Program teams to ensure accurate accounting and reporting of grants, corporate funding, and special events revenue.
• Document and enhance financial procedures to improve consistency, transparency, and scalability.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to the CFOO on accounting, reporting, compliance, and control matters.

Skills

Excel

Nonprofit accounting

GAAP

Internal controls

Staff supervision

Audit support

Donor reporting

Systems integration

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting

CPA preferred

Tools

MIP

QuickBooks

Sage Intacct

Salesforce

Bill.com

Justworks

Job description

WHO WE ARE:

New York Cares is New York City’s largest volunteer organization, mobilizing tens of thousands of New Yorkers each year to address pressing community needs across education, hunger, and public spaces. Through partnerships with companies, nonprofits, schools, and city agencies, we deliver high-impact volunteer programs that strengthen communities and improve lives throughout the city.

As part of the Finance team, this role plays an important part in supporting the organization’s financial operations and long-term sustainability. Working collaboratively across departments, the position helps strengthen processes, improve systems, and maintain the financial infrastructure that enables New York Cares’ mission and citywide volunteer programs to operate effectively and grow.

ABOUT YOU

You are a collaborative and solutions-oriented accounting leader who enjoys building strong processes, developing staff, and ensuring financial accuracy. You combine strong technical accounting expertise with a continuous-improvement mindset and are comfortable working across departments in a fast-paced nonprofit environment.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Controller is responsible for leading the day-to-day accounting function of New York Cares and ensuring the integrity of financial reporting, internal controls, audit readiness, compliance, and financial operations. Reporting to the Chief Financial & Operating Officer, the Controller supervises accounting staff and partners across the organization to maintain accurate financial records, strengthen processes, and support organizational decision-making.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead all accounting operations, including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash management, reconciliations, and month-end and year-end close.
• Ensure accurate and timely preparation of internal and external financial reports.
• Maintain and continuously improve accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls.
• Oversee financial systems and accounting workflows, identifying opportunities for automation and efficiency.
• Supervise and develop two staff accountants, providing coaching, training, and performance management.
• Partner with the CFOO on annual budgeting, forecasting, liquidity planning, and financial analysis.
• Develop and maintain cash flow forecasting and reporting processes.
• Support department leaders with budget monitoring, financial reporting, and variance analysis.
• Lead preparation for the annual audit, 403(b) audit, and other compliance reviews.
• Coordinate audit schedules, workpapers, and responses to auditor requests.
• Assist with preparation of Form 990 schedules and other regulatory filings.
• Ensure compliance with GAAP, nonprofit accounting standards, donor restrictions, grant requirements, and organizational policies.
• Partner with Development and Program teams to ensure accurate accounting and reporting of grants, corporate funding, and special events revenue.
• Document and enhance financial procedures to improve consistency, transparency, and scalability.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to the CFOO on accounting, reporting, compliance, and control matters.

WHAT YOU’LL BRING

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting; CPA strongly preferred.
• 5 years+ experience as a Controller; Non-profit experience is strongly preferred
• Strong knowledge of nonprofit accounting, GAAP, financial reporting, and internal controls.
• Experience supervising and developing accounting staff.
• Experience leading annual audits and supporting Form 990 preparation.
• Strong Excel skills and experience with nonprofit accounting systems. New York Cares currently utilizes MIP as its core accounting platform, along with QuickBooks for corporate sponsorship of custom projects; prior MIP and QuickBooks experience is strongly preferred. Experience with Sage Intacct and other comparable financial systems is also valued.
• Experience working with integrated systems including donor databases (Salesforce), payroll (PEO Justworks), accounts payable (Bill.com), and expense management tools (Bill Spend). Experience with Salesforce is strongly preferred.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication skills and ability to partner effectively with non-finance colleagues.
• Commitment to the mission and values of New York Cares.

COMP + BENEFITS

• Hybrid schedule: In office Mon/Tue/Thu; remote Wed/Fri
• 11 paid holidays + 3 floating holidays
• Paid time off: 12 days in year 1, 18 days in year 2; plus paid last week of December off
• Paid Summer Fridays
• Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability coverage
• 403(b) retirement plan and other tax-advantaged benefit programs
• Paid sick leave