Controller

Position Summary:

The Children’s Oncology Group (COG), a National Cancer Institute supported clinical trials group, is the world’s largest organization devoted exclusively to childhood and adolescent cancer research.The COG unites more than 10,000 experts in childhood cancer at more than 200 leading children’s hospitals, universities, and cancer centers across North America, Australia, and New Zealand in the fight against childhood cancer. Our goal is to cure all children and adolescents with cancer, reduce the short- and long-term complications of cancer treatments, and determine the causes and find ways to prevent childhood cancer.

COG is seeking a proactive, thoughtful, and analytical hands-on finance leader for the position of Controller. As the inaugural COG Controller, this role requires a highly motivated individual to make a positive impact in a continually evolving, fast-paced environment. The Controller will have the unique opportunity to establish a new accounting and finance department, incorporating existing resources, new staff and systems, shaping its strategy, processes, and culture. The Controller will work cross-functionally to develop, monitor, and maximize key performance metrics and implement new initiatives as needed. This role reports directly to the Executive Director of Administration and Finance, providing strategic leadership and vision for its accounting and finance functions. This position will be employed by the Children's Oncology Group Foundation on behalf of COG.

The Controller will be responsible for overseeing all finance, accounting, and reporting activities of our non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. This includes business planning, budgeting, cash management, financial and tax reporting, and the annual audit. The Controller will lead the day-to-day financial operations of an annual budget of approximately $100-120 million, including accounting procedures, internal controls, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and grant administration. The Controller will ensure accurate and timely program monitoring and annual audits while offering regular financial reports to executive leadership.

The role involves close coordination with the Professional Employer Organization (PEO) for payroll services to ensure accurate and timely processing. The Controller will partner with the Grants Administration Office to ensure compliance with the accounting and finance of federal funding, including systems and procedures to comply with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) standards, regulatory requirements, and uniform administrative requirements, cost principles, and audit requirements for federal awards.

The successful candidate will thrive in a deadline-driven setting, work independently, and effectively communicate financial information to diverse audiences. They will demonstrate impeccable attention to detail, bringing a high degree of accuracy and professionalism to their work. We are looking for a professional with a strategic mindset, strong leadership skills, and the ability to provide direction.

The Controller will also be responsible for fostering an ethical culture of accountability, ensuring a strong commitment to performance in accordance with all applicable laws, statutes, and best practices. They will promote transparency and integrity within the organization’s financial operations, contributing to the organization's overall mission and long-term success.

This is an ideal position for an experienced mission-driven accounting and finance leader who is passionate about the mission and eager to contribute to lasting change. The Children’s Oncology Group is a 100% remote employer, though some travel may be required. Employee must reside within the United States.

Full salary range for this position: $140,759 to $219,794 per year. The typical hiring range for this position is from $140,759 (minimum) to $180,277 (midpoint), based on 100% FTE. The starting salary is determined based on the candidate’s knowledge, skills, experience, as well as budget availability.

Key Responsibilities:

Financial Planning and Analysis:

1. Develop and maintain financial models to support strategic planning, decision-making and organizational financial stability.
2. Lead and oversee all aspects of financial planning and analysis, including budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis.
3. Provide actionable insights and recommendations to improve financial performance and achieve business objectives.
4. Prepare analyses, commentary, and presentation materials for group and leadership meetings.
5. Partner with COG administrative units to improve functional reporting and provide deep decision support analysis.
6. Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and provide regular reporting to executive leadership.

Financial Management:

1. Oversee day-to-day financial operations, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and general ledger.
2. Oversee treasury functions, including administration of all bank accounts, ensuring proper controls, account reconciliations, and cash transfers.
3. Develop and implement financial policies, procedures, and internal controls to ensure accurate and timely financial reporting.
4. Ensure compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and other regulatory and contractual requirements.
5. Monitor cash flow, review financial statements, and prepare financial reports for executive leadership and external stakeholders.
6. Maintain and update accounting records and reports in compliance with recommended retention laws.

Grants and Contracts Financial Management:

1. Work collaboratively with other departments within COG in the creation and review of financial documentation and proposal budgets required for funding proposals and funder reports.
2. Prepare financial, regulatory, cost reimbursement, and special reports as required by government agencies and private third-party agencies.
3. In conjunction with other departments within COG to monitor spending to ensure compliance with grant and contract requirements, applicable codes of federal regulations, funder or sponsor requirements, or other oversight bodies to ensure satisfactory audits and avoid disallowed costs.
4. Prepare final budget reports and oversee the financial reporting materials for all funding sources.

Compliance and Audit:

1. Ensure compliance with federal regulations, including Uniform Administrative Requirements (2 CFR Part 200) and other federal regulations governing grant funding.
2. Ensure all financial operations comply with local, state, and federal regulations to include tax filings and reporting requirements for 501(c)3 organizations; update finance policies as needed and provide training to relevant staff to ensure compliance.
3. Partner with outside consultants in preparation of indirect cost rate calculations.
4. Prepare for and coordinate single audits, working closely with external auditors.
5. Respond to questions and audits from government, funding partners and other organizations. Work collaboratively with outside auditors in the filing of tax forms and regulatory reports.
6. Implement corrective actions for any audit findings and continuously improve internal controls.
7. Ensure all required filings are timely and accurate, including the preparation of monthly, annual and contractual financial closing processes, and the year-end external audit.

Strategic Leadership:

1. Serve as a key financial consultant to the Executive Director of Administration and Finance.
2. Develop tools and systems to provide critical financial and operational information and make actionable strategy and operations recommendations.

Team Leadership:

1. Establish and lead a small finance and accounting team, providing direct oversight of day-to-day functions and strategic direction.
2. Supervise and mentor team members, promoting a culture of continuous improvement and professional development.
3. Foster a collaborative and high-performance culture, aligning all actions with the organization's mission and values.
4. Guide larger, cross-divisional teams outside of direct span of control and provide guidance and recommendations in support of financial and strategic objectives.

Operations and Systems Management:

1. Serve as the subject matter expert on the accounting and financial system
2. Collaborate effectively with Information Systems staff to identify improvements in financial software applications and databases to enhance the organization's financial performance reporting.
3. Promote the development and utilization of benchmarking and decision support information systems.

Other Responsibilities:

All other duties as assigned.

Required Skills and Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, or a relevant discipline
• At least 10 years of proven experience as a nonprofit Controller, or Senior/Director of Finance or Accounting.
• Deep understanding of nonprofit accounting principles, cost allocation practices, and financial management of federal, industry and foundation funding.
• Proficient with cash flow management, budgeting, financial analysis and reporting, and the accounting cycle
• Expertise in GAAP, federal funding, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, and Single Audit compliance.
• Experience establishing a small accounting and finance department by identifying, coaching and mentoring high-performing team members
• Experience in implementing a new cloud-based financial system (e.g. Sage Intacct, NetSuite)
• Advanced proficiency in Excel, financial modeling and a passion for metrics
• Ability to be self-directed, as well as a drive towards collaboration, innovation, and pursuit of creative solutions that advance the mission and impact of the organization
• Comfortable leading change in a fast-paced environment
• Desire to engage with key stakeholders to better understand the organization’s operations, pursue new opportunities as well as solutions to meet organizational needs
• Possess a strategic mindset and the ability to think critically about business challenges with an eye towards problem solving and decision making
• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to translate complex financial concepts to non-financial stakeholders
• Ability to exercise a high degree of judgment and diplomacy as well as maintaining the highest integrity and ethics

Preferred Qualifications

• CPA strongly preferred
• Advanced business degree preferred
• Exposure to project management tools such as Monday.com and Smartsheet
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
• Experience negotiating and modeling indirect cost rates

Why Join Us: This is a unique opportunity to be on the ground floor of a critical role within a mission-driven organization. The Controller will play a vital part in shaping the financial backbone of the Children’s Oncology Group, contributing to lasting change and making a difference in the lives of children and families impacted by cancer.

If you are a strategic, ethical hands-on finance leader with a passion for nonprofit work and a commitment to excellence, we encourage you to apply.

FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT (FLSA) STATUS

This position is classified as exempt based on the job duties. However, based on the FTE, salary level of the employee, or federal/state/local laws, the employee may be classified as nonexempt.

EEO STATEMENT

The Children’s Oncology Group (COG) is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, military and veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

COG believes that diversity and inclusion among our employees is critical to our success, and we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool. Employment at COG is based on merit, competence, and qualifications, and we are committed to providing equal opportunities for training and advancement for all employees. COG is also committed to making our application process accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodation upon request. For further information regarding Equal Employment Opportunity, please feel free to access it here.

ADA STATEMENT

The Children’s Oncology Group is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Recruitment Team at least 72 hours in advance at

career@evolvehr.com.

This position falls under a contract with the Federal Government and is subject to the provisions in OMB Circular A-76 which prohibit contractors from performing inherently governmental functions. Specifically, employees placed in agency positions will not perform inherently governmental functions, nor supervise any personnel other than the contractor’s own staff, nor make final decisions or sign documents that commit the U.S. Government.