Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian nonprofit that advances children’s rights and equality for girls. We believe in the power and potential of every child, but know this is often suppressed by poverty, violence, exclusion and discrimination. And it is girls who are most affected.
Working together with children, young people, supporters and partners, we strive for a just world, tackling the root causes of challenges children face. We’re there from birth until adulthood, and we support children to prepare for and respond to crises and adversity, while particularly focusing on the experiences of girls. We drive changes in practice and policy at the local, national and global levels using our reach, expertise and knowledge.
With more than 85 years of experience, we work to transform lives in over 80 countries.
Plan International USA is fully committed to the safeguarding of all children and young people from all forms of violence.
We won’t stop until we are all equal.
Plan International USA is seeking a Controller (Finance, Compliance & Systems) to lead the organization's accounting function while advancing financial systems, compliance, and reporting capabilities. This role combines traditional controller responsibilities - financial close, audit, payroll, and internal controls - with leadership over key finance systems, including Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central (GL), Power BI, and Ramp (AP/expense management). The Controller will play a critical role in ensuring audit readiness, federal compliance (including NICRA), and strong financial stewardship, while also modernizing reporting and data capabilities to support enterprise decision-making. The Controller is a member of the Senior Leadership Team.
Essential Functions:
Accounting and Financial Operations
- Own all aspects of the monthly and year-end close process, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with U.S. GAAP
- Maintain and strengthen internal controls, accounting policies, and procedures
- Oversee general ledger, reconciliations, and financial statement preparation
- Provide oversight of accounts payable, expense management, and cash operations
- Banking and merchant account set-up, reconciliations and related
- Ensure proper accounting and monitoring of restricted and designated funds, endowments, and net assets
Audit, Compliance and Regulatory Oversight
- Lead the annual financial statement audit and serve as primary external auditor contact
- Oversee all audit-related processes, including:
- Financial statement audits
- Pension / 401(k) audits
- Workers compensation audits
- Other regulatory or compliance audits and filings as applicable
- Ensure timely preparation of financial statements, footnotes, and audit schedules
- Oversee preparation and review of Form 990 and other regulatory filings
- Ensure completion of IRS Forms W-2, 1099, 1095, and Form 5500
- Ensure adherence to federal grant compliance requirements (2 CFR 200 / Uniform Guidance)
NICRA and Cost Accounting
- Lead development, submission, and monitoring of the organization's Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA)
- Responsible for calculation and management of indirect cost rates
- Ensure compliance with federal cost principles and cost allocation methodologies
- Partner with Grants & Contracts teams to ensure allowability and proper cost treatment
Payroll and Expense Oversight
- Oversee payroll operations, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and appropriate internal controls
- Ensure proper accounting and reconciliation of payroll, benefits, and related liabilities
- Oversee expense management and procurement processes
- Oversee designated fund management, including tracking, reconciliation, and reporting of donor-designated funding
Financial Systems Leadership
- Serve as system owner for Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central (GL), ensuring data integrity, chart of accounts structure, and operational effectiveness
- Oversee Ramp (AP/expense platform), including workflows, approvals, and controls
- Drive continuous improvement of finance systems, integrations, and automation
- Partner with IT and external vendors on system enhancements and implementations
Data, Reporting and Power BI
- Lead development and maintenance of Power BI dashboards, datasets and financial reporting frameworks
- Ensure alignment and integration between financial systems, Salesforce/revenue data, and reporting outputs
- Deliver timely, accurate, and decision-useful financial reporting to leadership
- Establish and enforce data governance and reporting consistency across finance
Budgeting
- Assist the CFO in development of the annual organizational budget process
- Collaborate with budget owners and assist with budget questions
- Budget to actual reporting and analysis
Team Leadership and Cross-Functional Support
- Supervise and develop a high-performing accounting and finance operations team
- Provide guidance on technical accounting, IRS, compliance, and financial operations
- Develop and lead staff trainings on finance related policies and processes
- Serve as a key partner to grants, development, and operations teams
- Support financial research as related to donor accounts including refunds
- Serves as a technical resource to USNO and Country Offices in interpreting donor rules and regulations
- Support CFO on strategic initiatives, cost optimization, and organizational transformation
Skills and Competencies:
- Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP, nonprofit accounting, restricted funds, fund accounting, and donor-designated fund management, required
- Strong command of technical accounting, compliance, and audit readiness
- Ability to operate at the intersection of finance, systems, and data
- Hands-on leader with a balance of execution, process improvement, and team development
- High attention to detail and commitment to audit-ready documentation
- Strong communication and partnership skills across finance and non-finance stakeholders
Education and Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or related field, required; CPA strongly preferred
- 8+ years of progressive accounting experience, including Controller or equivalent nonprofit finance leadership experience
- Experience leading audits, financial reporting, regulatory filings, and internal control processes, required
- Experience with federal grant compliance, NICRA / indirect cost rate development, and applicable US Government grant and contract regulations, preferred
- Experience with finance systems and reporting tools such as Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, Power BI, Salesforce, Ramp, ADP, and data modeling, preferred
- Experience working in a federated organizational structure, preferred
Other Duties
This job description does not contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time.
Plan follows all laws associated with the EEOC.
We hire in the following states: Arizona, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. Strong preference will be given to candidates located in the Washington, DC, and Providence, RI metro regions.