Strategic Nonprofit Controller & Financial Steward

Lifeline Connections; Vancouver (WA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Lifeline Connections seeks a Controller to lead accounting and financial reporting, ensuring accurate records, strong internal controls, and regulatory compliance. You will oversee GL, month-end close, grant accounting, payroll, audits, and finance systems while guiding a skilled finance team.

The role collaborates with CFO, program leadership, and executive team to support financial stewardship and organizational sustainability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field required.
• Five years of progressively responsible accounting or financial management experience required.
• Two years of supervisory, accounting leadership, or senior-level review responsibility preferred.
• Experience with general ledger accounting, financial statements, reconciliations, month-end close, budgeting, internal controls, and audit preparation.
• Experience with nonprofit, healthcare, behavioral health, human services, grant-funded, or contract-funded organizations strongly preferred.
• Experience with grant and contract accounting preferred.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel and accounting/ERP systems; experience with Acumatica, Divvy, or comparable systems preferred.
• CPA, CMA, or comparable professional credential preferred.
• Strong analytical, organizational, communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day accounting operations and maintain the integrity of the general ledger and chart of accounts.
• Review journal entries, account reconciliations, accruals, allocations, and supporting schedules.
• Lead monthly, quarterly, and year-end close processes and ensure completion within established timelines.
• Prepare and review financial statements, management reports, and financial analyses.
• Identify material variances, unusual transactions, and financial risks and communicate findings to appropriate leadership.
• Ensure financial records are complete, accurate, appropriately documented, and audit-ready.
• Oversee payroll-related accounting, reconciliations, accruals, and general ledger activity in partnership with Payroll and Human Resources.
• Ensure payroll activity is accurately reflected in financial records and investigate significant discrepancies.
• Provide functional oversight of Acumatica, Divvy, and other assigned financial systems.
• Maintain appropriate financial system controls, account coding, workflows, and data integrity.
• Identify opportunities to improve or automate financial processes while maintaining appropriate controls.
• Develop, implement, and monitor accounting policies, procedures, internal controls, and segregation of duties.
• Identify accounting, financial, compliance, and operational risks and recommend mitigation strategies.
• Coordinate preparation for financial audits, grant monitoring, contract reviews, and other external financial reviews.
• Prepare or review audit schedules, reconciliations, supporting documentation, and management responses.
• Lead financial Corrective Action Plans resulting from audits, monitoring reviews, or identified control deficiencies.
• Ensure financial reporting and accounting practices comply with applicable laws, regulations, contractual requirements, funding requirements, organizational policies, and generally accepted accounting principles.
• Supervise, coach, and evaluate assigned Finance staff.
• Establish clear performance expectations, deadlines, and standards of accountability.
• Assess employee competency based on demonstrated knowledge, skills, accuracy, judgment, and ability to perform assigned responsibilities.
• Ensure appropriate training, cross-training, and backup coverage for critical Finance functions.
• Develop and maintain written procedures for key accounting processes.
• Use financial performance data, findings, errors, and stakeholder feedback to identify and implement process improvements.

Skills

Accounting & Financial Reporting

Financial Stewardship

Grant & Contract Management

Financial Analysis

Internal Controls & Risk Management

Audit & Regulatory Readiness

Leadership & Staff Development

Technology & Data Integrity

Communication & Collaboration

Accountability & Continuous Improves

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Acumatica

Divvy

Job description

Lifeline Connections seeks a Controller to lead accounting and financial reporting, ensuring accurate records, strong internal controls, and regulatory compliance. You will oversee GL, month-end close, grant accounting, payroll, audits, and finance systems while guiding a skilled finance team.

The role collaborates with CFO, program leadership, and executive team to support financial stewardship and organizational sustainability.