Finance Controller

Tribal EcoRestoration Alliance; United States; Hybrid; USD 52,000 - 61,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

SIMPLE IRA

Health benefits

Paid time off

Job summary

Tribal EcoRestoration Alliance (TERA) seeks a Finance Controller to oversee financial operations, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and strategic alignment. The role manages records, supervises the finance team, and engages with staff and Board to provide high-quality financial reporting.

This leadership position requires nonprofit accounting expertise, strong governance knowledge, and the ability to navigate grants, audits, and policy development.

Qualifications

• 2–4 year degree in Accounting, Business, Finance, or related field or relevant work experience.
• 4+ years of government grant management experience.
• 4+ years of supervising a Finance team.
• 6+ years of nonprofit finance management experience.
• GAAP proficiency.
• Proficiency with QuickBooks, Excel, and Google Workspace.

Responsibilities

• Oversee accurate, GAAP-compliant financial recordkeeping and reporting.
• Lead payroll, payables, receivables, and related processes with the Finance Data Specialist.
• Deliver financial statements to the Executive Director and Board of Directors.
• Coordinate annual audits and regulatory reporting and ensure compliance with 2 CFR Part 200.
• Develop and enforce fiscal policies and internal controls.

Skills

Leadership

Financial reporting

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

Nonprofit finance experience

Tools

QuickBooks Online

Excel

Google Workspace

RAMP

Job description

Finance Controller

POSITION SUMMARY

The Finance Controller will oversee TERA’s financial operations, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and strategic alignment with the organization’s goals. This position involves managing financial records, supervising the finance team, and ensuring adherence to all relevant regulations and standards. As a key member of the administrative team, the Finance Controller manages TERA’s dynamic financial operations and engages at all levels of the organization – from our stewardship crews, our program staff serving as grant managers, to our Board of Directors. The Finance Controller contributes to TERA’s mission by providing financial management and accounting expertise, rigorous attention to detail, and an ability to serve our internal and external stakeholders with accurate financial reports and high-quality service.

ORGANIZATIONAL VISION

The Tribal EcoRestoration Alliance (TERA) is a community-based, intertribal nonprofit organization that works to revitalize ecology, economy, and culture through indigenous-led stewardship.

• Strengthen intergenerational ties to land and culture
• Connect Native people with meaningful livelihoods and culturally relevant work in their ancestral territories
• Regenerate local ecology of the North Coast Ranges
• Build capacity for Native voices to play a central role in land stewardship

TERA is a young organization in a dynamic growth phase, and building a team of professionals who are deeply committed to TERA’s vision.

FUNDAMENTALS

Reports to: Deputy Director

Supervises: Financial Data Specialist

Location: TERA’s offices are in our new headquarters and training center set amidst 140+ acres of rolling oak woodlands located between Upper Lake and Lakeport, CA.The working location for this position is flexible, and can be in person, hybrid, or primarily remote. Must be able to travel to work in Upper Lake for at least one week per quarter (4 weeks per year).

Time Commitment: 40 hours/week preferred, may be reduced to 32 hours/week if desired by the selected candidate.

Compensation and Benefits

• Job Type: Hourly, non-exempt
• Pay is commensurate with experience: $38.00 - $44.00/hour (which translates to annual compensation of $79,040 - $91,520 if working full-time at 40 hours/week).
• Benefits available after 90 day introductory period for regular, full-time (32+ hours/week) employees include:
  • Employer contribution to SIMPLE IRA retirement plan.
  • A competitive and flexible pre‑tax health care benefit for employees and their families. This “Health Expense Reimbursement” program pays up to $600/month for employee (or immediate family members) medical costs, including private health insurance premiums, health plans through the Covered California exchange, co‑pays for doctor visits, prescribed and OTC medications, dental expenses, vision care (including eye‑glasses), chiropractic and acupuncture care, and other qualifying health care expenses.
  • Up to 32 days of paid time off annually, including 15 holidays, 5 days sick leave, and 12 days of “paid time off” (PTO is accrued based on a schedule based on hours‑worked).
  • On‑the‑job training, dynamic colleagues, great working environment.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Financial Management

• Accounting
• Oversee Financial Data Specialist and ensure accurate, timely financial recordkeeping in compliance with GAAP for all financial activities.
• Track daily cash balances and transfer schedules; adhere to the Board’s cash management procedures, including co‑ordination of banking set up, and investment monitoring.
• Review and manage all accounts monthly in the accounting system, including data input and reconciliation; resolve any discrepancies with accounting system plug‑ins RAMP and Stripe including resolving app issues.
• Oversee and ensure accuracy in RAMP and QuickBooks Online, including that credit card expenses are co mpleted and reviewed monthly with relevant staff.
• Oversee and implement cost‑allocations for the entire funding portfolio in the accounting system, including calculating accurate fringe rates for the fiscal year and budgeting.
• Manage our CPA consultant who performs monthly allocations to state and federal grants, month‑end close, reconciliations, and audit support.
• Payables and Receivables
• Oversee Financial Data Specialist and provide quality control on bi‑monthly payroll process, payroll tax filings, and collaborate with the Deputy Director to resolve payroll and deduction discrepancies.
• Supervise and support Finance Data Specialist to meet rigorous monthly invoicing deadlines to grantors and clients.
• Review our monthly invoices to provide quality control and ensure 100% accuracy for our re‑imbursable grants.
• Monitor Accounts Receivable and coordinate with project managers to ensure timely collection of past‑due invoices.
• Lead collaborative monthly review of all data for correct codes and projects, providing timely quality control for invoicing reimbursable grants.
• Issue credit cards according to TERA’s policy, respond to limit‑increase requests, RAMP workflows, and app support for staff.
• Open mail and manage the security and depositing of checks, transaction list reconciliations, and maintain a dashboard of real‑time AR AP for management.
• Manage and issue paper checks.
• Oversight of Financial Policies and Procedures
• Stay current with federal and state regulations on grants administration, audit requirements, as well as support grant management staff to ensure compliance with federally funded projects.
• Work closely with the Deputy Director and Executive Director to provide high‑level financial oversight.
• Support the Deputy Director to develop sound fiscal policies and procedures.
• Oversee/research potential payroll and/or fund accounting system transition with support from Deputy Director.
• Train staff on new processes, best practices related to finance, internal controls, and financial management.

Financial Reporting & Compliance

• Oversee and deliver financial statements and reports for the Executive Director and Board of Directors, funders, and program staff.
• Manage and coordinate annual financial audits and regulatory reporting.
• Support the Deputy Director and grant managers with organizational compliance with federal financial regulations (2 CFR Part 200), including routine updates to staff on regulatory requirements pertaining to accounting, procurement and financial management.
• Oversee administration of retirement plan (currently a SIMPLE IRA), and provide onboarding training and reporting to staff.
• Responsible for annual financial audit and coordinating the submission of 990 tax filings.
• Oversee 1099 and W2 tax reporting, including communication with all parties, including staff.
• Perform annual Worker’s Compensation audit.

Business Management

• Acquire and manage general organizational insurance policies including general liability, Directors & Officers Insurance, Worker’s Comp, and other policies as needed.
• Read and understand all active contracts and instruct the finance team on required invoicing and auditing requirements; review draft finance department contracts.
• Set up new staff in QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Time; troubleshoot and resolve staff access issues.

QUALITIES & QUALIFICATIONS

• All members of the TERA team are expected to embody the following qualities:
• Cultural competency, humility, self-awareness, and willingness to learn
• Commitment to working cross-culturally as a bridge builder
• Ability to listen well, and give and receive direct, honest, and constructive feedback
• Positive attitude, able to work independently and contribute to a high-functioning, collaborative team environment
• Strong work ethic, reliability, accountability, and commitment to excellence
• Flexibility, adaptability, and capacity to work in a fluid and often fast‑paced work environment
• Commitment to follow and enforce all TERA policies, maintain professionalism, and represent the work of TERA and Tribal communities with dignity and integrity at all times

Minimum Qualifications

• 2 - 4 year Degree in Accounting, Business, Finance, or a related field OR relevant work experience.
• 4+ years of experience in government grant management.
• 4+ years of experience supervising a Finance team.
• 6+ years experience in non-profit finance management, accounting, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Experienced with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
• Proficiency with QuickBooks, preferably a certified user or eligible for certification.
• High proficiency in MS Excel (formulas, import range, formatting, etc.) and Google Workspace applications.
• Patient, personable, and approachable with the ability to build and maintain strong relationships with a diverse team and external partners.
• Highly motivated and self‑directed with the ability to prioritize tasks, set and meet deadlines, and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Demonstrates good judgment, can prioritize effectively under pressure, and balances competing demands.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills to effectively collaborate and share information.
• Ability to manage and disseminate information accurately and effectively.

Optional but desired qualifications

• Experience working with Tribal communities

Term: This position is open until filled.

Priority Application Due Date : November 15, 2026.

Applications received after this due date will continue to be reviewed on a rolling basis.

TERA is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recognizes staff diversity as an organizational strength. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, including women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, individuals with disabilities, and veterans. Even if you do not check every box on Qualities & Qualifications of this job description, we encourage you to apply.