Financial Controller

Street Law is seeking an experienced and mission-driven financial professional to serve as our Financial Controller. This senior finance role is ideal for someone who combines strong technical accounting expertise with strategic thinking, sound judgment, and a collaborative, solutions-oriented approach.

The Financial Controller will oversee Street Law’s financial operations and help ensure strong fiscal stewardship in support of our mission. As the organization’s senior finance professional, the Controller will serve as a key financial partner to organizational leadership, providing the financial insight and analysis needed to support decision-making while also managing the day-to-day financial operations of a small nonprofit organization.

This role is well suited for someone who enjoys working in a small, mission-driven organization where collaboration, adaptability, and initiative are essential and where they can have meaningful visibility and impact across the organization.

Who We Are

For more than 50 years, Street Law has worked in communities and schools across the country and around the globe, developing programs and teaching materials that educate young people about law and government.

We believe that when people have the knowledge, skills, and confidence to understand how law and government work, to advocate effectively for themselves and others, and to participate in civic life, their lives and society are stronger.

We advance our mission by helping others—specifically classroom teachers, the legal community, government agencies, and community organizations—be effective law and civics educators.

We are a dedicated and collaborative team that values integrity, inclusion, courage, and excellence. Our workplace is flexible and supportive, and we are committed to thoughtful, high-quality work that makes a measurable difference.

What You Will Do

As Financial Controller, you will oversee the organization’s financial operations and ensure sound fiscal management across all areas of the organization. You will work closely with leadership and staff to support organizational planning, maintain strong financial systems and controls, and provide clear, accurate financial information and analysis that informs decision-making.

You will:

• Oversee and manage the organization’s accounting and financial management functions, including maintaining the general ledger, accounts payable and receivable, payroll, reconciliations, monthly and annual closings, cash flow management, and financial reporting, ensuring compliance with GAAP and nonprofit accounting standards.
• Lead organizational budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning processes in partnership with staff, providing variance analysis, financial insights, and guidance on budget development, expense allocation, indirect cost application, and compliance with grant and contract requirements.
• Manage grant and fund accounting, including tracking restricted and unrestricted funding, monitoring grant expenditures and compliance requirements, and preparing financial reports for funders and government agencies.
• Coordinate annual audits, Form 990 preparation, and broader tax compliance activities; serve as primary liaison with external auditors; and oversee preparation of audit schedules, reconciliations, and supporting documentation.
• Maintain and strengthen internal financial controls, policies, and procedures; ensure compliance with federal, state, and local tax requirements; and support maintenance of the organization’s 501(c)(3) status.
• Manage banking and investment relationships, support oversight of organizational cash reserves, and work with the CEO and the Board’s Finance Committee on investment matters.
• Collaborate across teams to support organizational effectiveness and continuous improvement initiatives, supervise accounting support staff or consultants as appropriate, and provide financial analysis and insights that inform leadership decision-making while fostering a culture of accountability, transparency, and stewardship.

The Financial Controller will report to the CEO and work closely with the COO on organizational operations, planning, and financial management.

Who You Are

You are an experienced financial professional with strong accounting and nonprofit finance expertise who enjoys building systems, improving processes, and supporting organizational effectiveness. You combine attention to detail with strategic thinking and are comfortable managing both day-to-day financial operations and higher-level planning and analysis.

You are collaborative, dependable, and able to communicate financial information clearly and effectively to colleagues with varying levels of financial knowledge. You are motivated by mission-driven work and take pride in maintaining accurate, transparent, and compliant financial systems.

You thrive in a small organization environment where adaptability, initiative, and collaboration are essential. You are comfortable operating as the senior finance lead within a small nonprofit organization and can balance strategic leadership with hands-on execution.

You are comfortable in a role with significant fiduciary responsibility, including oversight of audit processes, financial controls, banking and investment relationships, and compliance with nonprofit and tax requirements. You work confidently with senior leadership and board members on financial governance matters and long-term financial sustainability.

You have:

• A bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• At least 8 years of progressive accounting and financial management experience in a nonprofit setting; experience managing government grants is strongly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP, nonprofit fund accounting, budgeting, and financial compliance requirements.
• Experience coordinating and leading annual audit processes and working with external auditors; experience with external accounting firms is a plus.
• Comfort with technology and proficiency with accounting software (Street Law uses QuickBooks) and Microsoft Excel.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills, with careful attention to detail.
• The ability to manage multiple priorities effectively in a small organization environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to communicate financial information clearly to non-financial stakeholders.
• A collaborative and service-oriented approach to working across teams.
• A high level of integrity, accountability, and professionalism.
• CPA or MBA credentials preferred but not required.

This is a full-time, exempt position with an annual salary range of $90,000–100,000.

Street Law offers a robust benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, generous vacation and sick leave, short- and long-term disability insurance and life insurance, health and dependent care flexible spending accounts, and a 403(b) retirement program with employer match.

Our office is located in downtown Silver Spring, Maryland, just outside Washington, DC. The Financial Controller must reside in the greater Washington, DC or Baltimore, MD areas and may work remotely on most days. Periodic in-person work in the Silver Spring office and attendance at meetings or events in the DC region will be required.