Controller | Tampa Bay, FL
This is an accounting leadership opportunity at a well-established, mission-driven organization where your technical depth, strategic mindset, and people leadership will directly support the integrity of the finance function and the organization's ability to serve its community. Reporting to the CFO, you will own financial reporting, accounting operations, grant accounting, revenue recognition, internal controls, audit coordination, cash flow forecasting, and continuous process improvement across the organization. This role requires nonprofit accounting experience — familiarity with grant compliance, restricted funds, deferred revenue, and the regulatory environment that mission-driven organizations navigate is essential, not preferred. The right candidate is a strong operator and a thoughtful leader who brings both the technical credentials and the collaborative, service-oriented approach that allows finance to be a true partner to the broader organization. If you bring 7–10 years of progressive accounting experience, 4+ years in a supervisory capacity, and a commitment to building high-performing teams, this is a substantive and meaningful role worth your serious attention.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead monthly, quarterly, and annual close; prepare and review financial statements and supporting schedules to ensure timely, accurate GAAP reporting.
- Review monthly balance sheet and key reconciliations — including deferred revenue, contract liabilities, restricted funds, and other significant accounts — ensuring timely resolution of all reconciling items.
- Identify and research accounting and financial reporting issues; evaluate alternatives and present clear findings and recommendations to the CFO.
- Maintain the chart of accounts and financial dimensions; support the integrity and effective use of the organization's financial systems.
- Oversee grant accounting and funder monitoring, including compliance, reconciliations, reimbursement activity, and funder financial reporting.
- Ensure appropriate revenue recognition for grants, contracts, contributions, and program revenue — including deferred revenue and contract liabilities.
- Review organizational contracts, grants, and agreements for financial, accounting, reporting, and compliance implications.
- Coordinate the annual budget process, consolidate the organizational budget, and support forecasting and financial planning.
- Analyze actual results against budget and forecast; identify key drivers and trends and recommend corrective actions.
- Maintain and update the rolling 13-week cash flow forecast; work with the CFO to ensure sufficient liquidity to meet obligations.
- Monitor debt levels and covenant compliance; support related reporting and analysis.
- Coordinate the annual external audit, including audit schedules and all requested documentation; support the annual report and related tax filings.
- Review and strengthen internal controls to safeguard organizational assets and support reliable, accurate, and timely financial reporting.
- Review and update fiscal policies and procedures in accordance with GAAP, regulatory requirements, and best practices.
- Ensure understanding of and compliance with financial policies across the organization and promote consistent application.
- Lead, develop, and hold accountable a high-performing accounting team — including hiring, training, performance management, and professional development.
- Recommend and implement process improvements across finance workflows, including automation, standardization, and stronger controls.
- Partner with the CFO and organizational leaders to strengthen financial processes and decision support, using data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities.
- Coordinate review of monthly financial results and forecasts with service area leaders; communicate financial information clearly to non-financial audiences.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting; Master's degree in Accounting and/or CPA preferred.
- 7–10 years of progressive accounting experience; 4+ years in a supervisory capacity.
- Nonprofit accounting experience required — familiarity with grant compliance, restricted funds, deferred revenue, and nonprofit-specific regulatory requirements is essential.
- Demonstrated ability to lead monthly and year-end close and prepare and review GAAP-compliant financial statements.
- Demonstrated experience coordinating annual budgets, forecasting, financial analysis, and monitoring results against budget.
- Strong internal controls experience with a track record of reviewing and improving accounting processes.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel proficiency; strong financial systems aptitude with comfort learning and optimizing new platforms.
- Excellent communication skills — able to translate financial information clearly for both financial and non-financial audiences.
- Adaptable, solutions-oriented, and comfortable operating in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment with minimal supervision.
Preferred
- Grant accounting, revenue recognition, and restricted fund experience in a nonprofit or government-funded environment.
- Familiarity with a cloud-based nonprofit accounting platform.
- Experience with automation initiatives or system optimization projects within a finance function.
Why you'll love working here
- A senior leadership seat with genuine authority — you will report directly to the CFO and serve as a true strategic partner to organizational leadership.
- Work that carries real purpose — your financial stewardship directly enables a mission-driven organization to serve its community effectively.
- A high-performing, collaborative finance team that takes its work seriously and supports each other in equal measure.
- Meaningful process improvement runway — the organization welcomes someone who brings ideas, drives adoption, and leaves the function better than they found it.
- A stable, well-established organization with the structure and resources to support strong accounting leadership for the long term.
- Competitive compensation commensurate with experience, plus a comprehensive benefits package.