We are looking for an experienced Controller to provide part-time finance leadership for a nonprofit organization in Washington, District of Columbia. This Long-term Contract position is expected to run for 6 months at approximately 30 hours per week and will support essential accounting operations during a high-demand period. The organization manages significant charitable assets and a large volume of grant activity, so this role is suited to someone who can step in quickly, maintain strong financial oversight, and contribute hands-on support in a fast-paced environment.
Responsibilities:
- Manage core accounting activities across the general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and daily cash operations to keep finance functions running smoothly.
- Oversee financial tracking for restricted and unrestricted funds, contributions, grants, and other complex nonprofit transactions with a high degree of accuracy.
- Direct grant-related accounting activities and help ensure reporting is complete, timely, and aligned with funding requirements.
- Prepare internal financial reports and analyze budget-to-actual results, clearly identifying key drivers behind variances.
- Lead critical close processes, including reconciliations, journal entries, accruals, and the preparation of financial statements.
- Support audit readiness by maintaining organized documentation and reinforcing sound accounting controls and reporting practices.
- Identify opportunities to strengthen financial workflows and improve the effectiveness of accounting systems, including work within platforms such as Blackbaud where applicable.
- Provide steady operational support during a period of staffing change, helping the finance team maintain continuity through a busy season.
- Demonstrated experience in nonprofit accounting, ideally within organizations handling significant grant volume and fund-based reporting.
- Strong working knowledge of general ledger management, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and cash management.
- Proven ability to account for restricted and unrestricted funds, gifts, grants, and other complex financial activity.
- Experience producing financial reports, explaining budget-to-actual variances, and supporting informed decision-making.
- Hands-on background with month-end and year-end close activities, including reconciliations, accruals, journal entries, and financial statement preparation.
- Familiarity with financial systems and process enhancement efforts; experience with Blackbaud or similar accounting platforms is valuable.
- Ability to work onsite in Washington, District of Columbia three days per week and provide approximately 30 hours of support per week.
