Controller

Title: Controller

Dept: Finance and Accounting

Exempt/Nonexempt: Exempt

Reports to: CFO

Salary Range: $110,000 - $140,000

General Position Summary:

The Controller is responsible for the integrity and effectiveness of Food Lifeline’s accounting operations. This role leads the monthly and annual close, annual financial audit and Single Audit, and oversees payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and grants accounting and reporting. The Controller maintains strong internal controls, ensures accurate and timely financial reporting, and supports compliance with nonprofit accounting standards, federal grant requirements, Uniform Guidance, U.S. GAAP, and applicable laws and regulations. The position partners with the CFO and organizational leaders to provide reliable financial information and continuously improve accounting processes and systems.

Essential Functions:

• Own the timely and accurate completion of the monthly and annual financial close, including review of journal entries, account reconciliations, supporting schedules, and financial reports.
• Lead the annual financial statement audit and Single Audit, including audit planning, preparation of workpapers and schedules, responses to auditor requests, and resolution of audit items.
• Oversee payroll processing and related reconciliations, reporting, controls, and compliance activities.
• Oversee accounts payable operations, including vendor administration, invoice processing, payment controls, expense coding, and timely disbursements.
• Oversee accounts receivable activities, including billing, collections, cash application, aging review, and receivable reconciliations.
• Oversee grants accounting and reporting, including grant setup, expenditure tracking, invoicing and reimbursement requests, financial reporting, and closeout.
• Ensure federal grant activity complies with award terms, Uniform Guidance, and Single Audit requirements.
• Maintain the general ledger and chart of accounts and ensure accounting records are complete, accurate, well supported, and appropriately classified.
• Develop, document, and maintain accounting policies, procedures, systems, and internal controls that safeguard assets and support accurate reporting.
• Ensure compliance with nonprofit accounting standards, U.S. GAAP, donor restrictions, legal requirements, and applicable federal and state regulations.
• Coordinate preparation of the Form 990 and other required financial and regulatory filings in partnership with internal stakeholders and external advisors.
• Supervise, coach, and develop accounting staff; establish clear priorities, expectations, and accountability while fostering collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Build effective working relationships across departments and provide responsive guidance on accounting processes, coding, grants, and financial controls.

General Finance Support:

• Provide backup support to the CFO and accounting team as needed.
• Perform other duties related to the role.

Job Scope:

• Has recurring work situations with frequent variations from the norm.
• Has a high level of work complexity.
• Performs work under minimal supervision.
• Makes decisions within policy constraints.
• Maintains accountability for the integrity of accounting records, financial reporting, audit readiness, and compliance with applicable accounting and grant requirements.

Supervisory Responsibility:

• Performs supervisory functions for the Accounting Department.
• Supports workforce planning and hiring recommendations.
• Establishes work assignments and schedules.
• Provides onboarding, training, coaching, and professional development.
• Assesses and manages performance and accountability.
• Advocates for employees and helps resolve workplace concerns.

Interpersonal Contacts:

This position interacts with internal and external partners and regularly handles sensitive or confidential information. Success requires professionalism, sound judgment, timely communication, and a collaborative, service-oriented approach.

Required Qualifications:

• Demonstrated commitment to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion through internal operations and external programming.
• Understanding of the intersections among hunger, poverty, racial inequity, and social injustice.
• Ability to communicate complex accounting matters clearly and work collaboratively with people from varied professional and personal backgrounds.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills, with exceptional attention to accuracy and deadlines.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and maintain confidentiality when handling sensitive financial and employee information.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel and experience using accounting or enterprise resource planning systems.

Education and/or Experience:

• Eight or more years of progressive nonprofit accounting experience, including responsibility for complex accounting operations and staff supervision.
• Demonstrated experience with federal grants accounting and reporting, Uniform Guidance compliance, and Single Audit requirements.
• Experience leading annual financial audits and preparing audit schedules and financial statements.
• Strong knowledge of nonprofit accounting, fund accounting, donor restrictions, internal controls, and U.S. GAAP.
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license preferred

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with Ceres or a comparable accounting or enterprise resource planning system.
• Experience improving financial systems, close processes, documentation, and internal controls in a growing or complex nonprofit organization.

Job Conditions:

Work is performed in an office setting with adequate lighting, heating, and ventilation. The position may experience periodic increases in workload during month-end and year-end close, audits, tax preparation, and budgeting cycles.

Physical Demands:

The role requires prolonged periods of sitting, keyboarding, repetitive use of hands and wrists, close visual work, and sustained focus on financial information and computer screens. The position requires the ability to routinely lift and carry up to 10 pounds.

Why Food Lifeline?

When you join Food Lifeline, you’re joining a team committed to collaboration, compassion, and our shared mission of ending hunger in Western Washington. We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, well-being, and growth, including:

• 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Employer-paid life and disability insurance
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer match
• Generous paid time off, holidays, and personal days
• Organization-wide time off from December 24 through January 1
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Professional development and learning opportunities
• A collaborative, mission-driven workplace where your work directly helps nourish communities across Western Washington

Ready to Join Food Lifeline?

Please review the full job description and apply electronically. Complete applications should include a resume and cover letter. This position will remain open until filled.

Food Lifeline is committed to creating a welcoming, inclusive, and equitable workplace where people of all backgrounds, identities, experiences, and perspectives have the opportunity to contribute, grow, and thrive. We strongly encourage candidates with lived experience related to food insecurity, poverty, or the communities we serve to apply.

We are an equal opportunity employer and consider qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran or military status, or any other status protected by applicable law.

If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process, we encourage you to let us know.

Join us in working toward a future where everyone has access to the food they need to thrive.