Controller

We are looking for a Controller to lead accounting operations and financial stewardship for a nonprofit organization in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This role will oversee accurate reporting, disciplined close processes, and strong controls while supporting leadership with timely financial insight for planning and decision-making. The position also plays a key part in managing grant and clinical trial finances, ensuring compliance with funding requirements and maintaining reliable records across programs and awards.

Responsibilities:

• Direct core accounting activities across payables, receivables, cash activity, payroll entries, ledger oversight, and account review to support accurate day-to-day financial operations.
• Manage month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close cycles, producing complete financial statements that align with nonprofit accounting standards and required reporting timelines.
• Review and approve journal entries, reconciliations, schedules, and related support to ensure transactions are recorded correctly by fund, grant, department, program, and clinical trial.
• Reconcile bank, credit card, investment, and other balance sheet accounts on a timely basis, researching discrepancies and driving resolution when issues arise.
• Administer cost allocation methods, indirect cost treatment, overhead distribution, and restricted funding usage across grants, programs, and research-related activity.
• Prepare financial analyses and reports for organizational leadership, board committees, funders, and other stakeholders, highlighting budget variances, emerging risks, and recommended actions.
• Oversee post-award financial management for grants and sponsored projects, including budget setup, billing, expenditure tracking, financial reporting, reimbursement requests, and closeout documentation.
• Collaborate with grants staff, program leaders, investigators, and study teams to monitor budgets, track milestones, confirm allowable expenses, and support timely invoicing and revenue recognition.
• Establish and maintain internal controls, accounting procedures, close calendars, and documentation standards that strengthen compliance, clarify accountability, and improve process efficiency.
• Support cash forecasting, financial planning, audit preparation, and organizational decision-making through reliable data, organized records, and responsive financial guidance.
• 5+ years of accounting experience, including leadership responsibility in a controller or comparable finance role.
• Demonstrated background in nonprofit fund accounting and financial reporting, with a solid understanding of generally accepted accounting principles.
• Hands-on experience managing grant accounting and post-award financial administration for restricted or sponsored funding.
• Strong knowledge of general ledger management, reconciliations, and month-end close procedures.
• Proficiency with QuickBooks and confidence working within accounting systems to maintain accurate financial records.
• Familiarity with revenue recognition, budget monitoring, and compliance requirements related to grants or clinical trial funding.
• Experience supporting audits and preparing tax-related financial information, including Form 990 reporting.
• Ability to explain financial information clearly to non-financial stakeholders and work effectively with cross-functional teams.