Controller

Buck Institute for Research on Aging; Novato (CA); On-site; USD 200,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Basic life insurance

Job summary

The Buck Institute for Research on Aging in Novato, CA, seeks a strategic Controller to lead day-to-day accounting and financial operations. Reporting to the CFO, you will manage a six-person team, ensure GAAP-compliant reporting, and supervise audits and regulatory compliance for a nonprofit research organization.

You will partner with Institute leadership on budgeting, forecasting, and grants accounting, while driving automation and AI-enabled improvements in financial processes and system

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance required; CPA and/or MBA preferred.
• Seven to ten years of progressively responsible accounting and finance experience, including leadership in a nonprofit or grant-funded environment.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP and federal grant compliance; experience with Uniform Guidance is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the general ledger, accounts payable, receivable, payroll, financial close, and related workflows.
• Ensure timely monthly, quarterly, and annual GAAP reporting and regulatory compliance.
• Maintain internal controls and safeguard revenues, expenditures, and assets.
• Lead annual financial statement audits and grant-related audits; coordinate with external auditors.
• Oversee tax and regulatory reporting, including payroll and filings.
• Partner with CFO and leadership on budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow planning.
• Monitor project, program, and grants accounting and reporting to sponsors.
• Lead, coach, and develop the finance team and improve cross-functional processes.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

GAAP knowledge

Financial analysis

Audits

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting/finance

CPA and/or MBA preferred

Tools

GAAP software

Job description

Organization Overview

The Buck Institute for Research on Aging is an independent nonprofit research institution in Novato, California, located in the beautiful foothills of Mount Burdell. We are the first independent biomedical research institute in the world focused solely on aging. Our mission is to end the threat of age-related disease for this and future generations.

CONTEXT AND OPPORTUNITY

The Buck Institute is in the midst of financial modernization. A new CFO, Freda Kong, joined in 2025. Under her leadership, we are implementing four new finance systems and integrating AI into our financial operations. The infrastructure is taking shape. The next chapter is about people.

The Institute has a $62.6M operating budget and approximately 240 employees organized around 24 scientific labs, 10 research cores, and 13 administrative departments, each with its own leader. That means more than 40 heads who shape how finance works day to day. Many financial practices across the Institute were built for an earlier era, and adopting new systems means changing long-established habits. That change does not happen on its own.

This role is about leading change: not only technical and compliance change, but also the harder work of helping people adopt new financial behaviors. it happens leader by leader, conversation by conversation. yes, systems and policy matter, and success depends just as much on trust, influence, and steady, encouraging persistence.

For a finance leader with CFO ambitions, this is a rare opportunity to build the experience that matters most at that level: leading organizational change and shaping how an institution engages with its finances.

We are an equal opportunity employer and strive to create an environment where diversity of identity, experience, and background are welcomed, valued, and supported.

ENTER THE CONTROLLER

Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), the Controller is the senior accounting leader and second-in-command within Finance. The role oversees day-to-day accounting and financial operations and supervises a six-person finance team responsible for accounting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and payroll.

The Controller is responsible for accurate and timely financial reporting, strong internal controls, audit and regulatory compliance, grants and program accounting, and the continued development of effective financial systems and processes. The Controller also supports the CFO with Board Finance and Audit Committee matters and partners with senior leadership, Grants, HR, IT, and program leaders on financial planning and operational decision-making.

Key Responsibilities

Accounting, Reporting & Controls

• Oversee the general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, financial close, and related accounting systems and workflows
• Ensure timely and accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reporting in accordance with GAAP and applicable regulatory requirements
• Maintain effective internal controls and safeguards over revenues, expenditures, assets, and program and grant activity
• Lead annual financial statement audits, Single Audits under Uniform Guidance, and grant-related audits; coordinate with external auditors and other professional advisors
• Oversee required tax and regulatory reporting, including payroll and other applicable federal, state, and local filings and compliance requirements

Planning, Grants & Financial Operations

• Partner with the CFO and Institute leadership on annual budgeting, forecasting, cash flow planning, variance analysis, and financial decision support
• Oversee project, program, and grants accounting in partnership with the Grants team; monitor spending against budgets and funding requirements and support financial reporting to government, corporate, and foundation sponsors
• Support faculty, lab, core, and program leaders with financial analysis and practical guidance that improves operational and financial decision-making
• Monitor invested assets in accordance with established policies and investment guidelines and support other financial analysis as assigned by the CFO
• Represent the Institute, as appropriate, in relationships with auditors, bankers, legal counsel, brokers, and other external partners

Leadership, Systems & Process Improvement

• Lead, coach, and develop the finance team through organizational change; clarify roles, strengthen accountability, and build an effective, service-oriented function
• Support the CFO in preparing for and engaging with the Board’s Finance and Audit Committees
• Partner with HR, IT, Grants, and other functions to improve cross-functional processes, data integrity, and systems integration
• Evaluate and implement finance technology, automation, and AI-enabled tools that improve close, reconciliation, reporting, and analysis while preserving strong controls and appropriate human oversight
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce cost, strengthen controls, and increase the quality and usefulness of financial information

Qualifications & Experience

The successful candidate will bring sound judgment, high integrity, strong people leadership, and a patient and practical approach to modernizing finance operations, including the thoughtful use of automation and AI-enabled tools while maintaining appropriate controls and human review.

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field required; CPA and/or MBA preferred. Helpful experience could include public accounting and work with NIH awards, including drawdowns, compliance, and reporting. We also welcome candidates who have built these skills in other settings
• Seven to ten years of progressively responsible accounting and finance experience, including leadership responsibility; experience in a complex nonprofit, research, higher education, healthcare, or similarly grant-funded environment strongly preferred
• Demonstrated experience with financial reporting, audit coordination, budgeting and forecasting, general ledger, accounts payable and receivable, payroll, and internal controls
• Strong working knowledge of GAAP and experience with federal grant compliance and Uniform Guidance; experience with government, corporate, and foundation grants strongly preferred
• Experience selecting, implementing, or improving financial systems and using automation or AI-enabled tools to increase efficiency while maintaining appropriate controls
• Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills, with the ability to explain complex financial information to both finance and non-finance audiences
• Demonstrated integrity, discretion, sound judgment, and the ability to work effectively with senior leaders, faculty, staff, Board members, and external partners
• Strong communicator who can translate finance for non-finance leaders and serve as a patient, persistent, positive partner in shaping new financial behaviors and outcomes

Compensation & Benefits

The anticipated salary range for this position is $200,000 to $250,000 annually. Actual compensation will be based on relevant experience, qualifications, internal equity, and other job-related factors. The Buck Institute offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance.

LOCATION & TRAVEL

This position is expected to work onsite Monday through Friday at the Buck Institute in Novato, California, on our beautiful campus. We believe the change we seek will require face-to-face communications and relationships. Travel is limited.

Physical Requirements

This role primarily involves standard office work, including prolonged sitting, computer and keyboard use, verbal communication, and the ability to move about the workplace. The position may occasionally require lifting, pushing, or pulling up to 25 pounds.

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work performed in this position and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, or requirements. Scheduling flexibility may be required to accommodate changing business needs.