Financial Controller

The Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) strengthens democracy around the globe through private enterprise and market-oriented reform. CIPE is one of the four core institutes of the National Endowment for Democracy and an affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Since 1983, CIPE has worked with business leaders, policymakers, and civil society to build the institutions vital to a democratic society. CIPE’s key program areas include enterprise ecosystems, democratic governance, business advocacy, anti-corruption & ethics, and trade.

Position: Controller

Reports to: Chief Financial Officer

Scope: CIPE is seeking a full-time, exempt Washington D.C. based Controller.

The Controller will be responsible for oversight of all financial accounting and reporting activities. The Controller will be involved in supporting presentations to the board finance and audit committee and will work closely with the Deputy Director of Operations (DDO) and CIPE’s senior leadership team. 

The Controller will manage all day-to-day finance accounting operations including functional responsibility over accounting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and payroll. The Controller will ensure that CIPE has the systems and procedures in place to support effective program implementation and conduct audits. The Controller will work closely with program leaders and their staffs, not only to educate them regarding financial and accounting procedures but also to explore how the finance function can better support CIPE’s program operations. 

Responsibilities: 

Finance and Accounting Oversee all accounts, ledgers, and reporting systems ensuring compliance with appropriate GAAP standards and regulatory requirements. 

• Oversee preparation of monthly financial statements to ensure accuracy and timely submittal to donors. 

• Reconciliation of CIPE’s Balance Sheet Items. 

• Maintain internal control and safeguards for receipt of revenue, costs, and program budgets and actual expenditures. 

• Coordinate all audit activity. 

• Coordinate / prepare schedules for Form 990 taxes. 

• Consistently analyze financial data and present financial reports in an accurate and timely manner; clearly communicate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements; monitor progress and changes and keep the DDO and senior leadership abreast of CIPE’s financial status; 

• Assist CIPE’s management in the annual budgeting and planning process; administer and review all financial plans and compare to actual results with a view to identify, explain, and correct variances as appropriate. 

• Support the DDO in engaging CIPE’s audit and finance committees around issues and trends in financial operating models and delivery. 

• Oversee all financial, project/program and grants accounting; ensure that expenditures are consistently aligned with grant and program budgets throughout the grant/fund period; collate financial reporting materials for government, corporate, and foundation grants. 

• Manage organizational cash flow forecasting by working in partnership with the DDO. Prepare timely drawdown requests from funding agencies.

• Participate in the development of financial policies and procedures for the headquarters and field offices. 

• Prepare timely and accurate quarterly FFR 425 federal cash transactions report & financial status report. 

• Perform additional duties as requested as requested by the Executive Director, the Board and CIPE’s Senior Management team. 

Management 

• Leverage strengths of the current finance team members, help to clarify roles and responsibilities and develop and implement training programs in order to maximize and reach optimal individual and organizational goals; 

• Provide leadership in strengthening internal communications with staff at all levels throughout the organization; create and promote a positive and supportive work environment. 

Qualifications: 

• Minimum of a BA; CPA and/or MBA preferred. 

• Seven to ten years of accounting and finance experience 

•  Demonstrated experience in accounting and audit,

• Ability to gather, analyze, present and report financial information to executive teams and key external stakeholders.

• Experience in a complex nonprofit that has multiple programs. 

• Ability to manage, develop, mentor and leverage strengths of junior finance staff

• Strong written and verbal communication skills. 

• A proactive, hands-on strategic thinker who will own, in partnership with the DDO and the other senior staff in the Grants and Finance department, the responsibility for finance. 

• Solid experience coordinating audit activities and managing reporting, budget development and analysis, accounts payable and receivable, general ledger, payroll, and accounting for investments. 

• A track record in grants management as it relates to compliance and reporting of government, corporate and foundation grants is essential. 

• Having the foresight and ability to delegate accordingly 

• Excellent analytic, organizational and problem solving skills which allow for strategic data interpretation

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; experience in effectively communicating key data, including presentations to senior management, board or other outside partners. 

• Ability and desire to translate complex financial concepts to individuals at all levels including finance and non-finance managers. 

• Ability to work in a team and to work independently with minimum supervision 

Benefits and Perks

Competitive Benefits including medical, dental, vision, short & long-term disability, flexible spending, paid family leave, life insurance, 401(k), commuter benefits, telework, and more! Employee events including Company Picnic, Health & Wellness Fair, Holiday Party and lots of fun in between!

CIPE offers a salary competitive with other international non-governmental organizations and an excellent benefits package. Applicants must be legally able to work in the United States; CIPE is unable to sponsor employees for work visas.

Applications will be accepted and interviews will be conducted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls or emails, please.

CIPE is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sexual orientation, religion, sex, age, national origin, genetic information, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, veteran status, gender identity or expression, and marital status or any other legally protected class or characteristic covered by applicable law. CIPE is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations for all qualified individuals and bases all employment decisions on qualifications, merit, and business need. CIPE believes diversity and inclusion across our organization is critical to our programs, mission, and success as a globally operating business. We strive to recruit, develop, and retain talent from a diverse candidate pool.