Director, Accounting (Controller Department)

The Urban Institute in; Washington (District of Columbia); Remote; USD 116,000 - 207,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous paid time off

403(b) retirement plan

Job summary

Urban Institute seeks an experienced Accounting Director to join its Controller Department leadership, overseeing comprehensive accounting operations, close processes, and financial reporting in a nonprofit environment.

The role balances hands-on oversight with strategic improvement, ensuring GAAP compliance, internal controls, and audit readiness across government contracts, grants, and federal awards. This position offers potential for remote work and strong collaboration across departments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or related field; CPA preferred.
• 12+ years progressive accounting experience, with 5+ years in leadership.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP and financial close, GL, reporting.
• Experience supporting annual audits and Single Audit.
• Knowledge of ASC 606/ASC 958 revenue recognition; NICRA a plus.
• Nonprofit accounting experience with federal awards (Uniform Guidance, SEFA).

Responsibilities

• Lead full-cycle accounting operations including close and reconciliations.
• Oversee billing and revenue accounting for contracts and grants.
• Manage accounts payable, payroll accounting, and reporting controls.
• Lead external audit support and SEFA workpapers.
• Develop staff and collaborate across departments to improve processes.
• Identify opportunities to improve ERP, billing, and reporting with automation.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

Leadership

Financial analysis

Communication

ERP systems

Excel proficiency

Audit coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting/finance

CPA preferred

Tools

ERP accounting systems

Microsoft Copilot

Microsoft Excel

Job description

About Urban Institute

The Urban Institute is a research‑to‑impact institution founded on one simple ideal; to improve lives and strengthen communities, we need practices and policies that work. From advancing well‑being to fostering shared prosperity, leaders across sectors are working every day to create brighter futures for all people and communities. For more than 50 years, Urban has delivered evidence and solutions that drive meaningful change, and this remains our charge today. Our Mission To drive impact by equipping changemakers with evidence and solutions. Our Values Collaboration, Equity, Inclusivity, Independence, and Integrity For more information on the Urban Institute, please visit https://www.urban.org.

The Opportunity

Central to Urban's mission is fostering a truly inclusive community that ensures ongoing relevance to a changing world. Urban’s Controller Department seeks an experienced, collaborative, and proactive Accounting Director to join its leadership team. Reporting to the Senior Director, Accounting, the Accounting Director will play a key role in overseeing urban’s accounting operations, including the financial close, billing and revenue accounting, accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll accounting, financial reporting, and audit activities. The Director will ensure accurate and timely financial reporting, strong internal controls, and compliance with GAAP and applicable federal award requirements. The ideal candidate will bring strong technical accounting knowledge, sound judgment, and a continuous‑improvement mindset. The role is well suited for an accounting leader who can balance hands‑on operational oversight with technical accounting, cross‑functional collaboration, and process improvement.

How You’ll Contribute

• Lead full‑cycle accounting operations, including the general ledger, monthly and year‑end close, reconciliations, accruals, allocations, and supporting documentation, ensuring accurate and timely financial records.


• Review significant and nonroutine transactions, estimates, and account analyses for GAAP compliance, appropriate documentation, and audit readiness.


• Direct billing and revenue accounting for government contracts and grants, foundations, and other funders; overs invoice accuracy, timely billing, and resolution of billing issues.


• Review revenue recognition analyses under ASC 606 and ASC 958, including ASU 2019‑08, and lead and document the analysis of complex or judgmental accounting matters.


• Oversee accounts receivable, cash application, aging, and collections, ensuring appropriate reconciliation among funding agreements, projects, and the general ledger.


• Oversee accounts payable, payroll accounting, and information reporting, including Forms 1099, while maintaining effective internal controls and segregation of duties.


• Serve as the first comprehensive reviewer of financial statements, disclosures, account analyses, and other financial reporting.


• Lead accounting support for the annual financial statement audit, Single Audit, and funder or regulatory audits, including preparation and review of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA).


• Support accounting and compliance for federal awards, including Uniform Guidance requirements, indirect cost recovery, and Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) matters.


• Serve as the first reviewer of Form 990 workpapers, including reconciliation to the general ledger and consistency of financial disclosures.


• Lead, coach, and develop accounting staff; establish clear ownership and accountability and partner with Finance, Grants & Contracts, Human Resources, Technology & Data Science, and program teams to strengthen processes and data quality.


• Identify and implement opportunities to improve accounting, billing, ERP, payroll, and reporting processes, including responsible use of Microsoft Copilot and other approved automation tools to reduce manual work and improve efficiency.

Who You Are and What You Bring

• Possess a bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field; CPA or other relevant professional certification is preferred.


• Have at least 12 years of progressive accounting experience, including at least 5 years of accounting leadership experience, including managing and developing accounting professionals.


• Demonstrate strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP and significant experience with financial close, general ledger accounting, financial reporting, and internal controls.


• Bring significant experience supporting annual financial statement audits and working effectively with external auditors; experience with Single Audits is required.


• Demonstrate strong knowledge of revenue recognition under ASC 606 and ASC 958 and experience evaluating and documenting complex or judgmental accounting matters.


• Have significant nonprofit accounting experience and strong knowledge of federal award requirements, including Uniform Guidance, SEFA, indirect cost recovery, and experience working with NICRAs.


• Demonstrate strong analytical skills, sound judgment, attention to detail, and the ability to identify issues, recommend practical solutions, and clearly communicate accounting conclusions.


• Demonstrate strong leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to develop staff and collaborate effectively across Finance, Grants & Contracts, Human Resources, Technology & Data Science, program teams, and senior management.


• Exhibit proficiency with ERP/accounting systems and Microsoft Excel, along with the ability to use Microsoft Copilot and other approved technology and automation tools to improve accounting processes, analysis, and efficiency.


• Organize and prioritize multiple responsibilities in a deadline‑driven environment while maintaining accuracy, accountability, and appropriate documentation.

What You’ll Experience

No matter your role with Urban, you will contribute to meaningful work that makes a difference for people and communities across the country. We are committed to working in a manner defined by our mission and values. Urban’s greatest asset is our people. The target salary range for this position is $116,302 - mid $161,600 - $207,050. Salary offered is commensurate with experience and considers internal comparisons. Salaries are just one component of Urban Institute’s total compensation package.

Benefits and Perks

• generous paid time off, including nine federal holidays and other leave benefits, medical (including prescription), dental and vision insurance, and transit benefits.


• Urban is unique in that we offer 403(b) retirement plan participation immediately after you’re hired and a generous employer contribution after six months of service and 500 hours, with immediate vesting.


• You’ll also have access to a health advocate, personal finance consulting, an Employee Assistance Program, a wellbeing program, credit union and educational assistance for undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

This position has the opportunity to be fully remote.

This posting is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and requirements. Urban management reserves the right to amend and change duties, responsibilities, and requirements to meet business and organizational needs as necessary. Urban Institute is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender or gender identity, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, veteran status, pregnancy or family responsibilities, matriculation, disability, political affiliation, or any other protected status under applicable law. If you experience technical issues that prevent you from completing or submitting your application, or have questions about the role that are not addressed in the job posting, please contact Talent Management at [e-mail]. We are committed to equal employment opportunity and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with physical and/or mental disabilities. If you have a physical and/or mental disability and are interested in applying for employment and need special accommodations to use our website to apply for a position, please contact Human Resources at [e-mail]. Reasonable accommodation requests are considered on a case‑by‑case basis.

Our Values

We believe in the power of evidence to improve lives and strengthen communities. Public policies work best when they are rooted in facts, and our research sparks solutions in programs and practice. Our analyses and recommendations help expand opportunities for all people, reduce hardship among the most vulnerable, and strengthen the fiscal health of governments and effectiveness of public policies. Our scholars have a distinguished track record of turning evidence into solutions. As an organization, the Urban Institute does not take positions on issues. Scholars are independent and empowered to share their evidence‑based views and recommendations shaped by research.

How We Work

We conduct sophisticated research to understand and solve real‑world challenges in a rapidly urbanizing environment. Our work engages communities at multiple levels—city, state, and country as we gather data and evaluate programs. Urban Institute scholars blend academic rigor with on‑the-ground collaboration, teaming with policymakers, community leaders, practitioners, and the private sector to diagnose problems and find solutions. Founded in 1968 to understand the problems facing America’s cities and assess the programs of the War on Poverty, the Urban Institute brings decades of objective analysis and expertise to policy debates—in city halls and state houses, Congress and the White House, and emerging democracies around the world. Today, our research portfolio ranges from the social safety net to health and tax policies; the well‑being of families and neighborhoods; and trends in work, earnings, and wealth building. Our scholars have a distinguished track record of turning evidence into solutions. As an organization, the Urban Institute does not take positions on issues. Scholars are independent and empowered to share their evidence‑based views and recommendations shaped by research. Our work environment encourages intellectual honesty, innovation, and mutual respect. Our analysis elevates debate, wherever it takes place. Learn more about who we are and what we do.