Controller

OVERVIEW

The Controller provides financial oversight for FFI, ensuring sound accounting practices, a clean annual audit, and a well-managed budget cycle. Working closely with the CEO, the Controller oversees the work of the Bookkeeper and Finance Associate and brings judgment and compliance expertise to FFI's domestic and international financial operations.

Reports To: CEO

Supervises: Finance Associate (part-time)

Employment Type: Part-time, approximately 20-25 hours per week

Location: Fully remote (USA)

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Financial Oversight & Controls

Maintain and annually review the Finance Department policies and procedures manual; ensure financial controls are observed across all functions.

Bookkeeping & Reporting Oversight

Provide functional supervision of the Bookkeeper and Finance Associate; review monthly financial reports prepared by the Bookkeeper — including Budget vs. Actual, P&L, Balance Sheet, and Statement of Cash Flows — and present findings to the CEO and Board as needed.

Payroll Oversight

Review and approve semi-monthly payroll processed by the Bookkeeper through ADP; ensure compliance with federal, state, and applicable international payroll tax and contractor regulations across FFI's domestic and international staff.

Budget

Collaborate with the CEO and department directors on annual budget preparation; upload board-approved budgets into QuickBooks; monitor budget-to-actual performance and flag material variances to the CEO.

Audit

Lead year-end closing activities; coordinate with external auditors on the pre-audit checklist; serve as primary auditor liaison with a goal of completing the annual audit in Q1.

Grant Financials

Oversee the financial aspects of all active grant proposals and awards in coordination with the Director of Fund Development; submit required financial reports to grant funders on time.

Vendor & Insurance Coordination

Serve as primary contact for payroll and benefits vendors; coordinate the annual renewal of business insurances with the CEO.

Compliance Calendar

Maintain a calendar of critical business filings including the annual audit, 990 filing, business insurances, GA Secretary of State filings, and IRS nonprofit status maintenance.

Staff Financial Training

Provide ad hoc guidance to staff on financial processes and system changes as needed, at the direction of the CEO.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• 5-10 years of accounting or finance experience, preferably in a nonprofit or small-organization setting
• Proficiency in QuickBooks Online; ability to review and oversee the full bookkeeping cycle
• Experience overseeing payroll through ADP or similar platform
• Experience with international payroll compliance, including contractor classification across multiple countries
• Working knowledge of U.S. GAAPe for nonprofits
• Demonstrated ability to manage audit relationships and year-end close processes
• Ability to work independently in a fully remote environment with minimal supervision

Preferred

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field; CPA a plus
• Prior experience in a supervisory or lead finance role
• Familiarity with Kissflow or similar workflow/approval platforms
• Familiarity with Salesforce or similar CRM where data syncs and is reconciled
• Experience with international organizations or multi-currency transactions
• Knowledge and understanding of how to leverage the latest technology to improve financial operations and the overall customer experience

What We Offer

• Flexible, fully remote schedule — 20-25 hours per week with autonomy over when you work
• A mission-driven team committed to global connection and citizen diplomacy
• Collaborative, low-bureaucracy environment where your work makes a direct impact
• Competitive hourly rate commensurate with experience

• Competitive hourly rate commensurate with experience (20-25 hrs/week)
• Fully flexible remote schedule (USA-based)
• Work with a mission-driven team making a real difference in global understanding

About Friendship Force International

Founded in 1977, Friendship Force International (FFI) is a global nonprofit dedicated to cultural exchange and citizen diplomacy. With more than 15,000 members across 60+ countries, FFI creates meaningful connections through home-stay exchanges, journeys, and community programs that bridge cultures and foster greater understanding. We are a small, fully remote team united by a commitment to our mission and to each other.

Position Overview

Friendship Force International is seeking an experienced, detail-oriented Part-Time Bookkeeper to join our remote finance team. Reporting directly to the CEO, this role owns the day-to-day bookkeeping and payroll functions that keep our global operations running smoothly. The ideal candidate brings deep nonprofit or small-organization accounting experience, thrives in a self-directed environment, and is confident with the technology platforms we use.

Position Details

Location: Fully remote (US-based preferred)

Hours: 15–20 hours per week

Employment Type: Part-time

Reports To: CEO, Jeremi Snook

Key Responsibilities

Payroll

• Process semi-monthly or bi-weekly payroll for domestic and international staff using ADP
• Maintain compliance with federal, state, and applicable international payroll tax regulations
• Coordinate with the CEO on new hire setup, terminations, and pay changes
• Manage year-end payroll filings including W-2s and 1099s

Reimbursements & Accounts Payable

• Process and track all staff and board reimbursement requests through Kissflow, ensuring proper documentation and approval workflows are followed
• Manage accounts payable, ensuring vendors and contractors are paid accurately and on time
• Reconcile expense reports and flag discrepancies for Director review

Financial Reporting

• Prepare monthly financial reports — including Budget vs. Actual, Profit & Loss, Balance Sheet, and Statement of Cash Flows — for CEO and Board review, delivered by the 20th of each month
• Maintain accurate general ledger entries in QuickBooks, ensuring transactions are coded to the correct accounts and cost centers
• Support the annual audit preparation process, including reconciliations and documentation
• Assist in budget uploads and tracking as directed by the CEO

General Bookkeeping

• Reconcile all bank and credit card accounts on a monthly basis
• Record charitable donations and ensure proper restricted/unrestricted fund categorization
• Maintain organized digital records in QuickBooks, Google Drive, and shared systems
• Support year-end closing activities and financial statement preparation

Qualifications

Required

• 5–10 years of bookkeeping or accounting experience, preferably in a nonprofit or small-organization setting
• Proficiency in QuickBooks (Online); ability to manage the full bookkeeping cycle independently
• Experience processing payroll through ADP
• Familiarity with Kissflow or similar workflow/approval platforms for processing reimbursements and AP
• Strong understanding of nonprofit fund accounting principles
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to meet recurring monthly deadlines
• Ability to work independently in a fully remote environment with minimal supervision

Preferred

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
• Prior experience working with international organizations or multi-currency transactions
• Experience supporting annual audits
• Familiarity with Salesforce or similar CRM platforms for donation tracking