Controller

The Climate Reality Project is a nonprofit organization founded by former US Vice President Al Gore. Our mission is to catalyze a global solution to the climate crisis by making urgent action a necessity across every sector of society.

At The Climate Reality Project, we come to work every day to help solve the climate crisis. We do it by working from the ground up, empowering people and communities worldwide to fight for their future and together drive a just transition to clean energy.

We are committed to building a more just and equitable world, one where all voices are heard and respected regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or physical ability. Hence, we strongly encourage applications from people with these identities or who are members of other historically marginalized communities. We encourage applicants to read our diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice statement on our website.

Position Summary

The Controller oversees day to day financial operations of Climate Reality, managing accounting functions, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations, preparing financial reports, and providing technical support with demonstrated expertise in accounting practices specific to nonprofits.Key responsibilities include full cycle accounting, financial and grant reporting, budget collaboration, audit coordination, leading the accounting team, and maintaining accurate financial records to support the organization's mission.

The Controller is a member of the Senior Management Team and reports directly to the Chief Financial Officer. They directly manage the Senior Staff Accountant and the Staff Accountant.

This is a full time, exempt, benefits-eligible, hybrid position. The Climate Reality Project offers a flexible hybrid schedule, with staff working from our office in downtown Washington, DC at least two days per week to enable and encourage collaboration within and among teams. The salary range for the role is $132,300-135,000 USD.

Duties and Responsibilities

Supervisory

• Create an environment where supervisees feel comfortable sharing ideas and suggestions
• Assign work that is both manageable and appropriate to supervisees' level of experience, clearly conveying objectives, deadlines, and expectations
• Provide guidance and support when needed
• Support supervisees’ professional development by providing opportunities to put skills into practice and connecting supervisees to other advocates, experts, mentors, and resources
• Educate staff on and, as necessary, enforce organization policies and processes

Accounting Operations:

• Manage day-to-day accounting functions including accounts payable and receivables, general ledger maintenance, bank and credit card reconciliations, and payroll processing.
• Design, implement, and oversee an efficient and accurate month-end close process
• Manage and coordinate organization-wide financial support functions, including processing disbursements, managing reimbursements, and facilitating other routine financial operations.
• Oversee adherence of internal controls to safeguard assets and prevent fraud.
• Ensure compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and relevant nonprofit accounting standards.
• Manage timely submissions of credit card expenses related to the Finance department.

Financial Management:

• Collaborate in developing and monitoring of the organization's annual budget
• Manage the onboarding process and administer user permissions for the organization’s accounting systems, ensuring secure and efficient access for all stakeholders.
• Prepare accurate and timely financial statements and other financial reports.
• Oversee grant accounting, ensuring compliance with donor requirements and proper budget tracking.
• Coordinate project implementation to streamline financial operations and train the accounting team on new processes for enhanced efficiency.

Audit and Compliance:

• Manage the annual audit process, including preparing audit schedules and working with external auditors.
• Coordinate compliance with all applicable tax regulations, including filing Form 990 returns.
• Stay updated on changes in non-profit accounting standards and regulations.

Required Skills and Abilities

• Strong analytical skills and ability to interpret financial data.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills to effectively convey complex financial information.
• Proficiency in accounting software and financial reporting tools.

Education and Experience

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license (strongly preferred).
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or related.
• Minimum five years’ experience in non-profit accounting, with at least 3 years in a management role.
• Demonstrated expertise in using SAGE Intacct, with a proven track record of effectively managing financial operations within the platform.

Organizational Competencies

The Climate Reality Project has adopted a competency-based approach to job definition, hiring, performance assessment, and professional development. The following are our seven organization-wide competencies and examples of how they manifest for this role.

1. Teamwork and Collaboration: Actively listens to others and seeks to understand diverse perspectives; proactively and effectively manages larger teams; demonstrates the ability to effectively supervise.
2. Flexibility and Adaptability: Demonstrates the ability to adapt to changing priorities and circumstances; takes initiative to solve problems, improve processes, and/or achieve outcomes; learns quickly when faced with new situations or systems.
3. Written and Verbal Communication: Written communication is clear and concise; verbal communication is intentional and straightforward; clearly communicates a shared vision and priorities for the department; clearly conveys objectives, deadlines, and expectations to supervisees.
4. Time and Project Management: Manages multiple competing priorities, tasks, and projects effectively; holds staff and self accountable for achieving objectives; effectively manages conflict among the team, seeing conflicts as opportunities, integrating diverse views and finding common ground, and settling differences in productive ways.
5. Professional Development: Actively learns through experimentation when tackling new problems, using both successes and failures as learning fodder; supports supervisees’ professional development by providing opportunities to put skills into practice; connects supervisees to other advocates, experts, mentors, and resources and to substantive training opportunities.
6. Climate Justice: Knows and understands how systems and structures perpetuate inequities internally and externally; fully supports the organization's efforts to change said systems and structures; works to promote a welcoming and inclusive environment in Climate Reality spaces (workplace, events, trainings, and other convenings).
7. Climate Reality Mission and Focus: Is passionate about Climate Reality's role and mission and can act as a Climate Reality ambassador to a diverse set of audiences; stays up to date on climate trends, impacts and solutions.

Role-Specific Competencies

In addition to organization-wide competencies, each role has its own competencies. Below are examples of how each competency manifests in this role.

1. Communication Skills: Able to present data to leadership team, staff, and external stakeholders who do not have a financial background.
2. Technology and Data Systems: Has advanced computer skills, including knowledge of Sage Intacct, Salesforce, and Excel.
3. Customer Service Skills: Works across departments or teams within a complex organization to foster organizational health; represents the team internally and provides customer service to internal stakeholders.
4. Accounting: Able to prepare all monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports.
5. Budgeting, Internal Reporting, and Analysis: Possesses up-to-date knowledge on laws related to financial reporting, budgeting, accounting, and other financial-related laws.

Employee Benefits 

The Climate Reality Project provides a total benefits package that helps you manage your health, protect your income, and prepare for the future.

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance - Employee premiums are fully paid by The Climate Reality Project
• Life, short-term disability, and AD&D insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• 401(k) Retirement Account with a (%) matching contribution
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Monthly cell phone reimbursement
• Generous paid time off policies

To Apply

Send your resume and cover letter to hiring@climatereality.com

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Climate Reality, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your experience does not align perfectly with every qualification in this job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

The Climate Reality Project is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, disability or any other category prohibited by local, state or federal law. This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, placement, promotion, transfer, demotion, compensation, benefits, social and recreational activities and termination.