Vice President, Controller

Rare; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Rare is seeking a Vice President, Controller in Washington, DC, to lead its global accounting function, ensuring compliance and integrity in financial operations. The ideal candidate will have 12-15 years of accounting experience, strong nonprofit expertise, and a CPA. Responsibilities include financial reporting, overseeing audits, and ensuring strong internal controls. Rare is committed to diversity and offers a dynamic working environment focused on impactful social change.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 12–15 years of progressive accounting and finance experience.
• Strong background in nonprofit accounting including donor-funded environments.
• Experience managing U.S. government funding and compliance.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all global accounting operations including general ledger and financial close.
• Lead the preparation of accurate and timely consolidated financial statements.
• Design and maintain current systems of internal controls for safeguarding assets.

Skills

Leadership

Accounting expertise

Nonprofit experience

Financial reporting

Compliance knowledge

Education

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

CPA

Job description

Rare inspires change so people and nature thrive. For 50 years, across 60 countries, we have inspired and empowered millions of people and their communities to shift their behaviors and practices to protect our shared planet. We are a global leader in driving social change for people and nature and believe that the cumulative power of individual and community action is a vital pathway to safeguarding and restoring our shared waters, lands, and climate. Rare’s organizational culture is results-oriented and entrepreneurial, and our global programs prioritize climate change, fisheries and marine conservation, sustainable agriculture, and food security.

Position Summary

Reporting to the President, the Vice President, Controller will lead the organization’s global accounting function and ensure the integrity, transparency, and compliance of Rare’s accounting operations.

This role is responsible for overseeing all accounting activities across Rare’s U.S. and international field offices, ensuring strong internal controls, high-quality financial reporting, and compliance with U.S. GAAP and global regulatory and donor requirements.

This is an outstanding opportunity for a seasoned leader with deep technical accounting expertise and global nonprofit experience to join a mission-driven, high-impact organization. The Vice President, Controller will bring a hands‑on leadership style, with the ability to operate both strategically and tactically, and will partner closely with the President, executive leadership, and Board to strengthen financial stewardship and support organizational growth.

The Vice President, Controller will hold responsibility for a globally distributed accounting team and play a critical role in maintaining a scalable, compliant, and efficient financial infrastructure to support Rare’s continued expansion. This role requires strong cross‑cultural leadership and experience working within a centralized global finance model supporting international field offices.

Key Responsibilities

Global Accounting & Financial Operations

• Oversee all global accounting operations, including general ledger, consolidations, accounts payable, payroll, and financial close processes across the centralized team and international field offices
• Ensure the integrity of financial records in accordance with U.S. GAAP and nonprofit accounting standards
• Lead the preparation of accurate and timely consolidated financial statements, including multi‑currency translation and eliminations
• Maintain and continuously improve global accounting policies, procedures, and standards

Financial Reporting, Compliance & Audit

• Lead all external audit activities, including financial statement audits, Single Audit, and IRS Form 990
• Ensure compliance with U.S. federal regulations (e.g., 2 CFR 200 / Uniform Guidance) and international donor requirements (e.g., USAID, EU, UN)
• Oversee indirect cost rate development and management (NICRA)
• Serve as the primary liaison to external auditors and regulatory bodies
• Design, implement, and maintain current systems of internal controls to safeguard organizational assets and ensure appropriate use of donor funds
• Strengthen and scale Rare’s global control environment across field offices and the centralized team
• Partner with leadership to enhance enterprise risk management practices and financial compliance frameworks

Global Operations & Field Office Integration

• Oversee accounting operations across Rare’s international field offices, ensuring consistency in accounting practices, controls, and reporting
• Support country program teams through financial oversight, training, and capacity building
• Ensure effective global cash management, including funding flows, banking, and liquidity across regions
• Lead financial integration efforts for new country operations or expansion

Leadership & Organizational Partnership

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high‑performing global accounting team
• Serve as a trusted advisor to the President and leadership team on accounting and compliance matters
• Provide accounting insights and reporting to support executive decision‑making and Board engagement

Systems & Process Excellence

• Lead the optimization and scaling of financial accounting systems and ERP platforms to support global operations
• Drive process improvements, automation, and standardization across accounting functions
• Ensure systems effectively support a globally distributed workforce and financial operations

Qualifications

• Minimum of 12–15 years of progressive accounting and finance experience, including senior leadership roles in a global organization
• Demonstrated experience leading global accounting functions within both a U.S. centralized team and international field offices
• Strong background in nonprofit accounting, including donor‑funded environments and restricted funding
• Experience managing U.S. government funding (e.g., USAID) and compliance with 2 CFR 200 (Uniform Guidance)
• Proven track record overseeing audits, financial reporting, and internal control frameworks in complex global environments
• Experience with multi‑entity, multi‑currency consolidations
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required
• CPA required

Rare is an equal‑opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, gender, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic.