Controller

Vaco by Highspring; United States; On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Vaco by Highspring is seeking a results‑oriented Controller to lead accounting operations, financial reporting, and compliance for a mission‑driven organization in the United States. You will partner with senior leadership to drive budgeting, forecasting, cash flow planning, and long‑range financial modeling while managing a team of accounting professionals.

The role emphasizes strong internal controls, audit coordination, and donor/grant reporting to ensure accurate, timely financial statements

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field; CPA is a plus.
• Progressive accounting leadership experience with financial reporting, internal controls, budgeting, forecasting, and audits.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP and multi-funding environments; nonprofit or mission-driven experience preferred.
• Ability to lead teams, build cross-functional relationships, and manage competing priorities.

Responsibilities

• Lead all accounting operations including general ledger, close, reconciliations, and reporting.
• Oversee monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements for accuracy and compliance.
• Partner with leadership on budgeting, forecasting, cash flow, and long-range financial models.
• Develop accounting staff through coaching and oversight for growth.
• Maintain internal controls and policies to safeguard assets and improve processes.
• Coordinate annual audits with external auditors and address findings.
• Monitor grant funding compliance, donor restrictions, and regulatory reporting.
• Prepare analyses and recommendations for governance and strategic decisions.
• Identify opportunities to enhance financial systems and automation.

Skills

Accounting leadership

GAAP knowledge

Financial reporting

Budgeting & forecasting

Audit coordination

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

CPA (plus)

Tools

ERP systems

Excel advanced

Job description

We are recruiting a Controller for a mission-driven organization to lead their accounting operations, financial reporting, compliance, audits, and internal controls while serving as a key partner to senior leadership. This role offers the opportunity to combine technical accounting expertise with meaningful mission impact, helping ensure strong financial stewardship that supports long‑term organizational success.

Responsibilities

• Lead all accounting operations, including general ledger management, month‑end close, account reconciliations, and financial reporting activities.
• Oversee the preparation and review of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements to ensure accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with applicable accounting standards.
• Partner with executive leadership to support annual budgeting, forecasting, cash flow planning, and long‑range financial modeling.
• Manage and develop accounting staff, providing coaching, guidance, and oversight to promote accountability and professional growth.
• Maintain and enhance internal controls, accounting policies, and financial processes to safeguard organizational assets and improve operational efficiency.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for external auditors, coordinating annual audit activities, supporting documentation, and resolution of audit findings.
• Monitor compliance with funding agreements, donor restrictions, contractual obligations, and regulatory reporting requirements.
• Support leadership and governance committees by preparing financial analyses, performance reporting, and recommendations that aid strategic decision‑making.
• Identify opportunities to improve financial systems, reporting capabilities, and workflow automation while ensuring data integrity and strong financial oversight.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field, CPA is a plus.
• Progressive accounting leadership experience with responsibility for financial reporting, internal controls, budgeting, forecasting, and audit coordination.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP and accounting operations within a multi‑funding‑source environment; experience supporting grant‑funded, nonprofit, or mission‑driven organizations is required.
• Proven ability to lead teams, build cross‑functional relationships, communicate effectively with all levels of an organization, and manage competing priorities in a dynamic setting.

Equal Opportunity Notice

Highspring LLC (d/b/a Vaco by Highspring) and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries ("we," "our," or "Vaco by Highspring") are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race (including but not limited to traits historically associated with race such as hair texture and hair style), color, sex (includes pregnancy or related conditions), religion or creed, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, status as a veteran, union membership, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, or any other protected characteristics as required by applicable law. The company is also committed to ensuring that persons who need them are provided with reasonable accommodations; if an accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact [e-mail].

Vaco by Highspring also wants all applicants to know their rights that workplace discrimination is illegal.

Representation Notice

By submitting to this position, you agree that you will be giving Vaco by Highspring the exclusive right to present your as a candidate for the foregoing employment opportunity. Additionally, you agree to be included in our talent pool for future hiring for similarly qualified positions. You further agree that you have represented information about yourself accurately and have not affirmatively misrepresented your qualifications. Lastly, you agree to maintain as confidential, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any information you learn from Vaco by Highspring about the position and you will limit disclosure of information about the position only to the extent necessary to perform any obligations in furtherance of your application. In exchange, Vaco by Highspring agrees to exercise reasonable efforts to represent you through all solicitation, job screening and resume dispersal.

Pay Transparency Notice

Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco by Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to:

• the individual's skill sets, experience and training;
• licensure and certification requirements;
• office location and other geographic considerations; and
• other business and organizational needs.

With that said, as required by local law, Vaco by Highspring believes that the following salary range referenced above reasonably estimates the base compensation for an individual hired into this position in geographies that require salary range disclosure. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses and/or participation in medical, dental, and vision benefits as well as the company's retirement plan (or similar retirement benefits).