Controller

Groundwork USA seeks a Controller to play a pivotal role in shaping and executing Groundwork USA’s financial operations and strategy during a time of significant growth in impact and size. Working closely with Groundwork USA’s management team, this role will serve as a partner in ensuring the organization's financial stability.

Groundwork USA is the only network of local, people-centered organizations devoted to transforming the natural and built environment of under-resourced communities -- a national enterprise with local roots, working at the intersection of the environment, health, equity, youth empowerment, and civic engagement. Through inclusive, meaningful community engagement and cross-sector collaboration, local Groundwork affiliates called “Trusts” transform neglected land and waterways into assets that under-resourced neighborhoods need to be healthy and resilient while building community capacity to improve systems. Groundwork USA supports this dynamic network and advances the field of equitable development through national technical assistance and learning network programs for local practitioners. Our work is supported by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the National Park Service, the United States Department of Agriculture, and other partners.

Interested candidates should visit our website and apply at groundworkusa.org/careers/.

The Position:

The Controller will lead Groundwork USA’s financial operations, ensuring accurate financial data and compliance with GAAP standards and regulatory requirements. This role will manage the organization’s finances in collaboration with a small finance team, including the CEO, Chief Operations Officer, external accountants, and Senior Manager of Accounting, whom the Controller will directly supervise. The external accountants are retained for specific responsibilities detailed below and can be available as a resource to the Controller.

Key responsibilities include overseeing budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management, and financial reporting. The Controller will also focus on streamlining workflows and enhancing systems and processes to support organizational growth. The ideal candidate thrives in a dynamic environment where systems are actively evolving.

As part of the Operations Team, this position reports to the Chief Operations Officer. The Senior Manager of Accounting, who handles day-to-day accounting and financial operations, will report to the Controller.

This is a fully remote position; candidates residing in our Trust cities are especially encouraged to apply. Limited travel is required including, but not limited to, an annual staff retreat and our annual network-wide gathering.

Responsibilities include:

• Oversee all financial, project/program and grants accounting: manage all accounts, ledgers, and financial reporting systems ensuring compliance with GAAP standards and regulatory requirements and maintain internal controls.
• Oversee all financial, project/program and grants accounting; ensure that expenditures are consistently aligned with grant and program budgets throughout the grant/fund period.
• Actively participate in the development of the organization’s annual budgeting and planning process by:
  • Gathering and synthesizing data and input from stakeholders.
  • Analyzing financial trends and data.
  • Supporting/leading budget discussions.
• Lead annual budget reforecasting efforts, keeping the leadership team abreast of the organization’s financial status.
• Coordinate and interact with external accountants retained for investment management, 990 preparation, and negotiated indirect rate applications (NICRA).
• Ensure timeliness, accuracy, and usefulness of financial and management reporting for federal and state funders, foundations, and Groundwork USA’s leadership team and board of directors.
  • Ensure funder financial reports are accurate and submitted in a timely manner.
  • Provide variance analysis reports and support department leads with forecasting at the project/program and funder budget levels. Transition cadence for variance reporting from quarterly to monthly.
  • In collaboration with the COO and CEO, prepare quarterly and annual financial reports to the Board of Directors.
• Manage organizational cash flow forecasting in partnership with the COO, Director of Grants Administration, and the Senior Manager of Accounting.
• Update and optimize accounting practices, policies, and procedures:
  • Lead update of the organization's financial management policy and procedure manual.
  • Support the Director of Grants Administration in the development of a sub-recipient policy and procedure manual.
  • Implement consistent accounting policies, practices, and procedures across all programs and train staff on an ongoing basis.
• Coordinate and lead the annual audit process in collaboration with Senior Manager of Accounting, liaise with external auditors and the internal affairs committee of the board of directors.
• Supervise and support the professional development of the Senior Accounting Manager.
• Leverage strengths of the current finance team members and actively participate in the clarifying of roles and responsibilities as the team grows.
• Provide leadership in strengthening internal communications with staff at all levels throughout the organization; create and promote a positive and supportive work environment.

Required Qualifications: The Controller should exhibit the following core competencies.

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree; CPA or Master's degree in Accounting preferred.
• 7-10 years of accounting and finance experience, ideally in accounting, budgeting and audit.
• Significant experience in or knowledge of nonprofit accounting, including sophisticated fund and grant accounting, compliance, and reporting.
• Experience with QuickBooks Online.
• Experience of ‘final responsibility’ for the quality and content of all financial data, reporting and audit coordination for either an organization, division or significant program area.
• Experience gathering, evaluating, presenting and reporting financial information to executive teams and external stakeholders.
• ​​Keen analytic, organization, and problem solving skills that support and enable sound decision making in a complex organization; demonstrated resourcefulness in setting priorities and guiding investment in people and systems.
• Ability to translate financial concepts to – and to effectively collaborate with - colleagues at all levels including finance and non-finance managers.
• An accessible, visible, and flexible management style that inspires trust and confidence in staff to work hard and well together.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong, demonstrated ability to work effectively with people of diverse backgrounds and to build relationships with and engage colleagues across the country in a virtual environment.

Desired Qualifications: These additional qualifications would be valuable in this role.

• Experience facilitating organizational change and streamlining processes in growing organizations.
• Experience with BambooHR, Bill.com, Expensify, and ADP.
• Experience preparing and submitting federally negotiated indirect cost agreement (NICRA) applications.

Compensation and Benefits: The expected salary range for this full-time position is $100,000-$115,000; benefits include:

• Health Insurance - medical, dental, and vision
• Life insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance
• 403(b) retirement plan
• Sustainable vacation time
• Paid holidays
• Paid wellness/sick days
• Paid parental leave
• Monthly work from home stipend
• Eligible Public Service Loan Forgiveness employer
• Professional development opportunities

Please see our careers page for more detail on benefits.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Applications received by January 17, 2025 will be ensured full consideration. Only those selected for interviews are guaranteed to be contacted. Your understanding is appreciated.

Groundwork USA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to maintaining and growing a diverse team, and an anti-racist organization committed to doing business in keeping with core values of relevance, equity, diversity and inclusion.