Controller

Department: Operations
Reports to: Chief Financial Officer
Location: Hybrid in Washington, DC
FLSA Category: Exempt
Posted On: September 12, 2024
Application Deadline: September 26, 2024
Candidates Selected for Interviews Will Be Notified: The week of September 30

ABOUT US

American Forests is a national non-profit organization committed to creating healthy and resilient forests from cities to wilderness, that deliver essential benefits for climate, people, water, and wildlife. We advance our mission through forestry innovation, place-based partnerships to plant and restore forests, and movement building. We envision a world in which the significant environmental, societal, and economic benefits of forests are fully realized and equitably available to all people. Established in 1875, American Forests is the oldest national non-profit conservation organization in the U.S. working to restoring urban forests and forested landscapes for nearly 150 years.

American Forests is proud to be a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible (DEIA) workplace. These are our shared values. We welcome individuals who bring a variety of backgrounds and experiences to be a part of our team to help make a difference individually and collectively as we work toward achieving our mission. We are committed to fostering an environment that is welcoming and respectful and provides opportunities for advancement and professional growth for every team member.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Controller will be responsible for managing and overseeing the financial operations of American Forests, with a strong emphasis on grant accounting and compliance. This role will ensure accurate financial reporting, adherence to regulatory requirements, and effective financial controls. The Controller will work closely with the CFO, Grants Director, COO and Program leaders to support financial sustainability and strategic decision-making. The role will support a positive team dynamic and manage the Finance Department operation roles including Grants Finance Director & Senior Manager(s), Senior Accountants (AR & AP) and contracted accounting consultants.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

Accounting

• Prepare month-end close and financial reporting, including entering month end journal entries
• Perform monthly, quarterly, year-end close processes
• Reconcile all balance sheet accounts
• Track depreciation schedules based on methods allowed by GAAP and record monthly entries
• Prepare and record month end accruals, reserves, and other adjustments
• Ensure grant cost elements are posted to the general ledger, including funder approved fringe and indirect rates
• Prepare and post labor cost reports in bi-weekly basis
• Manage accounts payable, accounts receivable and their respective Senior Accountants
• Manage synchronizations with BILL.com ap software
• Perform month-end reconciliations for credit cards, bank statements, investment accounts
• Assist in resolving approval processes & org wide systems for Accounts Payable and Employee Expense Reimbursements
• Work with Accounts Receivable Senior Manager to ensure proper daily cash receipts recordation tasks are completed with accuracy & due diligence
• Assist AR Sr. Manager & Philanthropy Team in CRM / Fundraising Software to pull timely & accurate reporting for Revenue recognition
• Work with Finance Team to prepare all outgoing invoices for American Forests' corporate partners to complete and fulfill donation pledges
• Work in collaboration with Finance Team to train staff on timesheet process, Bill.com, and expense reimbursement via Tallie

Financial Reporting & Analysis

• Work closely with CFO on Financial Analysis and Management Reporting
• Prepare Standard Financial Package, Disclosures & Supplemental Schedules, including Statement of Activities, Statement of Financial Position, Temp Restricted Net Assets, Actuals vs Budget, Statement of Activities by Dept, Statement of Functional Expenses, Budget v Actuals. Prepare financial packages for Finance Committee, Board Meetings
• Generate comparative and variance reports and distribute them to Dept Chiefs
• Review & optimize ERP system & utilization ongoing for streamlining financial processes
• Work with ERP implementation specialists to adopt new financial reporting structures & automations

Budgeting

• Assist CFO & Dept Leads with annual budget preparation
• Prepare Budget Template(S)
• Work with Program Teams to develop departmental budgets with accurate cost rates
• Load annual budget into general ledger
• Update forecasts regularly

Audit & Compliance

• Maintain audit compliance through daily accounting operations and enforcing robust internal controls to safeguard the organization's financial accuracy and federal audit compliance
• Coordinate and oversee annual audits
• Prepare audit documents, participate in audit meetings as requested and respond to auditor inquiries
• Prepare financial documentation, as needed, for internal and external constituents and annual filing

Team Leadership & Development

• Oversee Finance & Accounting Department staff of 5-7
• Optimize systems & processes for accounting accuracy, filing & shared documentation, dashboards and inter-accountability within the dept and other depts
• Manage, mentor and develop the finance and accounting team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and professional growth
• Provide training & support to ensure team's success in achieving departmental goals.
• Facilitate a culture of inter-accountability
• Improve inter-accountability systems & work progress tracking

Grant Management Oversight

• Oversee Grants Management sub dept. Provide leadership and guidance to Director of Grants Finance
• Supervise the financial administration of all grants including budgeting, reporting and compliance
• Monitor grant performance reports and department reports for grant spending and cost elements (fringe rate and indirect rate return)
• Assist Director of Grants Finance in coordination with program managers and directors to ensure proper allocation of expenses to grants

Administrative

• Review contracts & funding proposals for thoroughness of requirements and follow-up, as needed, to obtain additional information prior to forwarding for requisite approval and signatures
• Respond to staff inquiries
• Monitor internal controls and develop additional controls as necessary
• Work with Finance Team to manage existing external vendor/contractor relations
• Provide administrative financial support as assigned by CFO

QUALIFICATIONS

While we do not expect any one candidate to possess all of these qualifications, the ideal candidate will possess many of the following professional and personal skills and qualities:

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a related field required, CPA or CMA designation desired
• 15-20 years of progressive accounting/finance experience
• At least 5 years of experience in a Controller role for in the non-profit setting
• Strong working knowledge of GAAP, non-profit accounting standards, regulatory compliance for federal guideline
• Proficiency in of accounting software such as Bill.com, Tallie, Intacct
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, integrity
• Self-motivated, independent worker
• Expert critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills
• Experience with non-profit Fundraising management software preferred (Raiser's Edge)
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize, organize, and plan projects and scheduled to meet deadlines and achieve desired outcomes
• Excellent oral and written communication
• High standard for excellence and attention to detail

AMERICAN FORESTS' CORE COMPETENCIES:

• Attitude: Brings a positive outlook to the work and helps inspires others to achieve excellence.
• Communication: Produces strong written documents, edits documents effectively, engages in effective verbal communication-1-on-1 and small group-and conducts effective large group presentations.
• Organization: Prioritizes tasks effectively, accomplishes tasks efficiently, follows through on all commitments, breaks down large projects to make them manageable, and effectively manages complex projects involving multiple actors.
• Problem-Solving & Creativity: Identifies issues, effectively structures problems, analyzes data to produce insights, and generates wise, actionable recommendations. Understands the limited resources available and produces creative solutions.

• Representing the Organization: Serves as an effective ambassador, builds connections, and maintains relationships with outside partners, vendors and donors. Brings credibility to the organization in how they present themselves.

LOCATION & WORKING CONDITIONS

This is a hybrid position, working as needed in person at American Forests' headquarters in Washington, DC. Up to 5% of travel to Washington, D.C. or throughout the U.S. for key stakeholder meetings, events and projects may be required.

Subject to applicable laws, American Forests requires all employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. We will consider requests for accommodation to this vaccination requirement during the recruiting process. Any requested accommodation(s) must be reviewed and approved (if applicable) in advance of your start date.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The individual must be comfortable with prolonged periods of sitting and/or standing at a desk and working on a computer. Reasonable accommodations may be made to provide access to all individuals along the continuum of human ability and experience.

SUPERVISORY REQUIREMENTS

This position does have supervisory requirements.

BENEFITS
American Forests offers a competitive benefits package including medical, dental and vision; disability and life insurance; 401(k) retirement plan with a 6% employer match; paid leave including 16 holidays, vacation, sick, parental leave, FMLA, bereavement and military leave; pet benefits and employee assistance programs.

American Forests is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to provide access to all individuals along the continuum of human ability and experience.

Minority/Female/Disabled/Veteran/LGBTQ+

In accordance with federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, and reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible State or local Agency that administers the program or USDA's TARGET Center at ([redacted] (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at ([redacted]. Additionally, program information is also available in languages other than English.