Nonprofit Controller

Position Summary

CUAHSI (Consortium of Universities for the Advancement of Hydrologic Science, Inc.) is seeking an experienced Nonprofit Controller to join our team. As a federally grant-funded nonprofit with approximately 15 employees and an annual budget of $4.5 million, CUAHSI requires a skilled financial professional to ensure the accuracy and integrity of financial operations, maintain continuous audit readiness, and uphold compliance with federal requirements.

The Controller serves as the primary financial authority for the organization, reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer and providing financial insight and guidance to organizational leadership and the Board of Directors. This role works in close coordination with accounting staff, the Grant Administration Specialist, and the Program and Operations Assistant — providing functional guidance on finance-related work across the team without formal supervisory responsibility.

A key priority for this role is advancing CUAHSI’s ongoing efforts to streamline financial processes, improve information management, and leverage automation to increase efficiency, accuracy, and audit readiness across the organization.

Key Responsibilities

Audit Readiness & Compliance

• Maintain continuous audit-ready financial records, ensuring documentation standards are upheld throughout the year — not only at audit time.
• Lead preparation for and coordination of the annual financial audit and Single Audit (2 CFR 200 Subpart F), serving as the primary organizational contact for external auditors.
• Proactively identify and remediate internal control gaps, documentation deficiencies, or compliance risks before they become audit findings.
• Ensure all grant expenditures, cost allocations, and financial records meet federal Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200) requirements and are audit-defensible at any point in the year.
• Establish and enforce consistent documentation and record-keeping protocols across the finance function, including work performed by accounting staff and the Program and Operations Assistant.
• Maintain organized, retrievable records in Sage Intacct and supporting platforms.
• Support the Board’s Audit Committee with timely, accurate financial information and audit-related reporting.
• Monitor evolving federal audit standards and Uniform Guidance updates, advising the CEO and leadership on required adjustments to policies or practices.

Financial Oversight & Internal Controls

• Review and approve financial transactions processed by accounting staff and the Program and Operations Assistant, ensuring accuracy, proper coding, and compliance.
• Develop, implement, and maintain financial policies, procedures, and internal controls to safeguard organizational assets.
• Monitor cash flow and communicate fiscal patterns, risks, or opportunities to the CEO.
• Provide functional guidance to accounting staff and the Program and Operations Assistant on finance, compliance, and documentation standards.
• Identify opportunities for cost savings and improvements to financial integrity and operational efficiency.
• Champion the adoption of automation tools and streamlined workflows from the CUAHSI automation team to reduce manual processes, improve data accuracy, and increase efficiency across the finance function.
• Evaluate and improve information management practices to ensure financial data is consistent, accessible, and reliable across systems.

Financial Reporting

• Prepare and present accurate, timely financial statements including income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements.
• Provide monthly financial updates for the CEO and semiannual reports for the Board of Directors.
• Generate financial reports for internal and external stakeholders, ensuring transparency and accountability.
• Develop and maintain standardized reporting templates; collaborate with automation team with automated workflows to improve consistency and reduce reporting cycle time.

Budgeting & Financial Planning

• Lead annual organizational budget development in coordination with the CEO and program staff.
• Oversee budget preparation for federal award proposals, working collaboratively with the Grant Administration Specialist and project managers.
• Conduct financial analysis and forecasting to support strategic decision-making and resource allocation.
• Monitor grant expenditures at a portfolio level and provide guidance on budget compliance and modifications.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field; CPA certification highly preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in financial management, preferably in a nonprofit or federally grant-funded environment.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200) and federal grant compliance, including Single Audit requirements.
• Experience preparing or supporting the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) in connection with Single Audit requirements.
• Proven track record of maintaining audit-ready financials and successfully managing external audit processes.
• Experience with National Science Foundation (NSF) grants, including cost principles and financial reporting, strongly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP as applied in nonprofit fund accounting.
• Experience with Sage Intacct or comparable nonprofit accounting software.
• Demonstrated interest in or experience with financial process automation and systems improvement.
• Comfortable providing functional guidance and quality review of finance work performed by non-accounting staff.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with strong attention to detail.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills; able to collaborate effectively with program staff, board members, federal program officers, and external auditors.
• Exceptional organizational and time management skills; able to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a remote environment.

About CUAHSI

The Consortium of Universities for the Advancement of Hydrologic Science, Inc. (CUAHSI) empowers the water community and advances science through collaboration, infrastructure, and education. Our mission supports an integrated understanding of water, earth, ecosystems, and society to address critical water-related challenges. As a leader in water science, CUAHSI facilitates impactful scientific collaboration and community engagement across academic, federal, non-profit, and private sectors.

Working Conditions

• Fully remote work environment; reliable internet access and comfort with virtual collaboration tools are essential.
• Occasional travel may be required for team gatherings, board meetings, or audit-related activities.
• Responsibilities may evolve as the organization grows and the grant portfolio expands.

What We Offer

• Full-time role within a mission-driven national research consortium supporting the water science community.
• Competitive salary ($90,000–$120,000) commensurate with experience.
• Comprehensive benefits package.
• Collaborative, remote-first work environment with a small, dedicated team.
• Opportunity to shape financial infrastructure and lead process modernization efforts at an organizational level.