Financial Controller

Cherry Bekaert Recruiting & Staffing Services; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Cherry Bekaert Recruiting & Staffing Services seeks a Financial Controller to lead the accounting function, ensure GAAP compliance, and deliver forward-looking financial insights. You will manage a team, drive close processes, and partner with executive leadership on budgets and forecasts.

The role emphasizes internal controls, audit coordination, and scalable financial systems to support growth and impact across the organization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• CPA license in good standing.
• 7+ years of progressive accounting/finance experience, incl. leadership roles.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP and nonprofit accounting (grants, donor funds).
• Experience with monthly/annual close, audits, financial reporting, and internal controls.

Responsibilities

• Lead all accounting operations including GL, A/P, A/R, fixed assets, inventory, and revenue recognition.
• Own monthly, quarterly, and annual close; prepare statements and Board reports.
• Ensure compliance with U.S. GAAP and nonprofit accounting standards.
• Partner with CFO and leaders to develop budgets, forecasts, and long-range plans.
• Lead financial analysis, variance analysis, margin analysis, and decision support.
• Develop KPIs and metrics to drive growth and efficiency.
• Evaluate financial implications of programs, partnerships, pricing, and new revenue.
• Design and improve internal controls, workflows, and governance.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Financial analysis

Financial modeling

Strategic thinking

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

CPA license

Tools

Excel

Word

PowerPoint

Job description

Exciting opportunity for a Financial Controller to lead the organization's accounting function while ensuring the integrity, accuracy, timeliness, and scalability of financial operations. Reporting directly to the Chief Financial Officer, this role serves as a strategic financial partner to executive leadership and business leaders, overseeing all accounting activities, financial reporting, internal controls, audit coordination, compliance, and financial systems. The Controller will lead the accounting team and help transform the finance function from primarily reporting historical results to delivering forward-looking financial insights that support operational and strategic decision-making across the organization.

Responsibilities

• Lead all accounting operations, including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, fixed assets, inventory accounting, and revenue recognition.
• Own the monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes, ensuring the timely and accurate preparation of financial statements, management reports, and Board-level reporting.
• Ensure compliance with U.S. GAAP, nonprofit accounting standards, and applicable financial reporting requirements.
• Partner with the CFO, Finance team, and operational leaders to develop budgets, forecasts, financial models, and long-range operating plans.
• Lead financial analysis efforts, including budget-to-actual reporting, variance analysis, cost management, margin analysis, and strategic decision support.
• Develop meaningful financial and operational performance metrics that support organizational growth and effectiveness.
• Evaluate the financial implications of new programs, partnerships, pricing strategies, and revenue-generating initiatives.
• Design, implement, and continuously improve internal controls, approval workflows, reconciliations, and financial governance procedures.
• Monitor compliance with financial, tax, regulatory, grant, and contractual requirements while identifying risk mitigation opportunities.
• Lead the annual external audit process and serve as the primary point of contact for auditors, tax advisors, and other external financial partners.
• Oversee tax filings, regulatory reporting, and related compliance activities.
• Manage cash flow, liquidity planning, cash forecasting, and banking relationships to support organizational financial health.
• Oversee accounting and financial systems, ensuring data integrity, process efficiency, automation, and scalability.
• Supervise, mentor, and develop accounting staff while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Serve as a trusted financial advisor to executive leadership, department leaders, and other key stakeholders across the organization.

Desired Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required.
• Active Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license in good standing required.
• 7+ years of progressive accounting and finance experience, including experience in accounting or finance leadership roles.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP and nonprofit accounting, including grants, contributions, donor-restricted funds, and revenue recognition requirements.
• Proven experience managing monthly and annual close processes, annual audits, financial reporting, and internal control frameworks.
• Demonstrated success developing budgets, forecasts, financial models, and strategic financial analyses in a growing organization.
• Expertise in financial analysis, including cash flow management, working capital analysis, margin analysis, and operational performance reporting.
• Experience implementing, optimizing, or managing accounting and financial management systems.
• Proven leadership experience managing, mentoring, and developing accounting and finance professionals.
• Strong communication and presentation skills with the ability to translate financial information into actionable business insights for executive leadership and Board members.
• Experience with inventory accounting, earned revenue streams, e-commerce operations, or nonprofit social enterprise models is highly desirable.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel with strong capabilities in financial modeling, reporting, and analysis; proficiency with Microsoft Word and PowerPoint required.

Why This Opportunity?

• Serve as a strategic financial leader partnering directly with executive leadership and the Board to support organizational growth and impact.
• Lead a high-visibility accounting function with responsibility for financial reporting, compliance, audit management, and financial operations.
• Opportunity to build scalable processes, strengthen financial infrastructure, and influence key strategic decisions across the organization.
• Work in a collaborative, mission-focused environment that values innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.