Industry: Nonprofit / Grant-Funded Organization
Position Summary
We are seeking a highly experienced, detail-oriented Controller to oversee the accounting and financial operations of a nonprofit organization located in Tucson, Arizona.
The ideal candidate will possess extensive, hands-on experience managing Federal and State grants, including grant accounting, financial reporting, compliance, budgeting, cost allocations, and audit preparation.
This position requires a strong accounting leader who understands the complexities of nonprofit financial management and can ensure financial integrity, regulatory compliance, and accountability across multiple funding sources.
The Controller will work closely with executive leadership, program directors, and grant administrators to ensure the organization's financial resources are properly managed, and all grant requirements are met.
This is a 100% on-site position in Tucson, Arizona. Candidates must be able to work on-site on a full-time basis.
- Oversee all daily accounting operations, including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll accounting, and financial reporting.
- Manage monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close processes.
- Prepare accurate and timely financial statements in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
- Ensure compliance with nonprofit accounting standards, including FASB ASC 958.
- Maintain strong internal controls, accounting policies, and financial procedures.
- Oversee cash flow management, bank reconciliations, and balance sheet reconciliations.
- Develop and monitor organizational and departmental budgets.
- Provide financial analysis and reporting to executive leadership and the Board of Directors.
Federal & State Grant Management and Compliance
- Oversee the financial management of multiple Federal and State grants, contracts, and restricted funding sources.
- Ensure compliance with 2 CFR Part 200 (Uniform Guidance), applicable Federal agency requirements, State grant regulations, and individual grant agreements.
- Monitor grant expenditures to ensure costs are allowable, allocable, reasonable, and properly documented.
- Manage cost allocation methodologies, including direct and indirect cost allocations.
- Monitor grant spending, funding restrictions, reporting deadlines, and budget modifications.
- Reconcile grant expenditures to the general ledger and ensure accurate tracking of restricted funding.
- Partner with program leadership to monitor grant performance, funding utilization, and compliance requirements.
- Maintain complete and audit-ready documentation supporting all grant-related financial transactions.
- Identify and proactively address potential grant compliance issues.
Audit, Regulatory Compliance & Internal Controls
- Coordinate annual financial statement audits and applicable Single Audits under Federal Uniform Guidance.
- Prepare audit schedules, supporting documentation, and financial reconciliations.
- Ensure compliance with Federal and State grant monitoring requirements.
- Oversee corrective action plans and responses to audit findings, when applicable.
- Maintain effective internal controls over financial reporting and grant expenditures.
- Assist with preparation and review of IRS Form 990 and other required regulatory filings.
- Support financial reviews, grant monitoring visits, and regulatory examinations.
Leadership & Strategic Support
- Supervise, mentor, and develop accounting and finance personnel.
- Collaborate with executive leadership on financial planning, forecasting, and organizational sustainability.
- Identify opportunities to improve accounting processes, reporting accuracy, and operational efficiency.
- Communicate complex financial and grant compliance information clearly to non-financial stakeholders.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, or a closely related field.
- Minimum of 7–10 years of progressive accounting experience, including significant experience in nonprofit organizations.
- Minimum of 5 years of direct, hands-on Federal and State grant accounting and compliance experience.
- Demonstrated experience managing multiple government grants with varying funding restrictions, reporting requirements, and compliance obligations.
- Strong understanding of nonprofit GAAP, fund accounting, restricted funding, and cost allocation methodologies.
- Proven experience preparing for and managing annual financial statement audits and Federal Single Audits.
- Experience preparing grant financial reports, reimbursement requests, and budget-to-actual analyses.
- Strong Excel skills and proficiency with accounting and financial reporting software.
- Demonstrated ability to manage deadlines, resolve complex accounting issues, and maintain accurate financial records.
- Excellent organizational, analytical, communication, and leadership skills.
- Must be available to work full-time on-site in Tucson, Arizona.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s degree in accounting, Finance, or Business Administration.
- Experience in a nonprofit organization with multiple Federal and State funding sources.
- Experience with Arizona State agency grants, contracts, and financial reporting requirements.
- Familiarity with Federal grant programs administered through agencies such as HHS, HUD, or other government funding entities.
- Experience implementing or improving grant accounting systems, internal controls, and financial reporting processes.
- Prior experience supervising an accounting department in a grant-funded nonprofit environment.