Controller/Director, Finance & Accounting

$90,000 - $118,000/Yr

International Center For Journalists (Icfj) - Washington, DC

Full-time - Mid Level

Washington, DC

Educational Services

About the position

Join a team that's making a difference! Fact-based journalism is under unprecedented attack at a time when a free, independent news media has never been more important. The International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) works to ensure that the cornerstone of healthy democracies - reliable, trustworthy news - stays strong for generations to come. We give journalists the support and tools they need to do their jobs better. Through our work, journalists are enhancing news coverage and connecting more deeply with their audiences. ICFJ's network is truly international - in the past five years alone, we have worked with 177,000+ journalists from 173 countries. Our programs have impact: Stories produced by our participants have led to the fall of corrupt governments, promoted better laws and made communities safer and healthier. ICFJ is seeking a Controller/Director, Finance and Accounting who will play a pivotal role in ensuring financial precision and integrity by leading the accounting team, developing robust internal controls, and delivering timely, accurate financial reports. The Controller/Director, Finance and Accounting will be responsible for developing and maintaining accounting principles, practices, procedures, and internal controls to ensure accurate and timely financial reports. Working under the supervision of the Vice President of Finance and Administration, the Controller/Director, Finance and Accounting directs and coordinates the daily activities of the accounting team to quickly and accurately record all transactions. The Controller/Director, Finance and Accounting must be a highly-motivated self-starter with supervisory, review and proofing experience and they must be customer service oriented with excellent communication skills. This position encompasses tight deadlines and a multitude of accounting activities including general ledger preparation, monthly close process, financial reporting, and year-end audit preparation.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the daily accounting activities required to maintain the general ledger in compliance with financial policies and procedures.
• Supervise, direct, and review the work of the accounting team, including a Senior Accountant, an Accountant, and a Finance officer (Accounts Payable).
• Maintain organized set of detailed records and files to document financial transactions.
• Resolve complex accounting issues and respond to inquiries from staff.
• Review general ledger on a monthly basis to ensure accuracy of posting.
• Produce accurate and timely monthly, quarterly and annual financial statements, project reports and ad hoc financial reports.
• Inform VP of Finance of relevant issues regarding financial controls, accounting, and reporting.
• Make and implement recommendations to improve accounting processes and procedures.
• Oversee maintenance and enhancements of integrated financial management system (Intacct).
• Oversee filing of tax forms including 1099s, 1042, 990 and any other local, state or federal reports.
• Serve as backup for payroll processing.
• Coordinate preparation for annual audit: scheduling, resource-gathering, and recommended follow-through.
• Develop and maintain a manual of accounting policies and procedures.
• Provide training to new and existing staff as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned or required.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree with degree in Accounting, Business or Finance, required.
• CPA preferred.
• Strong knowledge of nonprofit GAAP required.
• Six to eight years of progressive accounting experience, including at least three years in a supervisory role, required.
• At least three years of non-profit experience required.
• Experience in payroll processing a plus.
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal and communication skills.
• Excellent computer skills; experience in accounting software, Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspace.
• Proficiency with accounting software and experience with a software system implementation.
• High attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to work in a fast deadline driven environment with multiple priorities.
• Public accounting experience preferred.
• Experience with federal grants preferred.
• Second-language proficiency (especially in Spanish) a plus.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in payroll processing a plus.
• Public accounting experience preferred.
• Experience with federal grants preferred.
• Second-language proficiency (especially in Spanish) a plus.