Controller

Description Colleen McAuliffe from Robert Half is looking for an experienced Controller to lead core accounting and financial management activities for a nonprofit organization in San Jose, California. This position will guide financial reporting, regulatory compliance, and internal control practices in a federally funded environment while serving as a trusted advisor to executive leadership. The ideal candidate brings strong expertise in government-funded programs, cost-based accounting, and financial planning, along with the ability to strengthen processes and support sound operational decisions.

Responsibilities:

• Direct daily finance and accounting activities, including payables, receivables, payroll oversight, general ledger management, reconciliations, cash administration, fixed asset tracking, billing, and purchasing controls.
• Produce and review monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and timely delivery of supporting schedules.
• Maintain compliance with federal funding requirements by overseeing financial practices related to grants, contracts, cooperative agreements, and cost-reimbursable programs.
• Prepare required financial submissions, tax-related filings, and documentation for multiple entities while preserving accurate records for restricted and unrestricted funds.
• Act as the primary point of contact for external auditors and government reviewers, coordinating audit support and promoting ongoing audit readiness.
• Oversee indirect cost methodologies, including fringe, overhead, and administrative allocations, and support the development of billing rates, pricing models, and cost proposals.
• Partner with program and operational leaders to build budgets, monitor spending, analyze financial variances, and improve forecasting and cash planning.
• Strengthen financial policies, internal controls, procurement documentation, and subcontractor compliance practices to reduce risk and improve accountability.
• Lead, coach, and develop accounting staff while presenting financial insights, compliance updates, and performance recommendations to senior leadership.
• Manage financial systems and related process improvement efforts to enhance reporting quality, efficiency, and decision support. Requirements
• 7+ years of progressive accounting or controllership experience, including leadership responsibility for financial operations and reporting.
• Strong background in federal government reporting, grant and contract compliance, and application of Uniform Guidance and related regulatory standards.
• Demonstrated expertise in cost accounting, including indirect rate structures, allowable cost treatment, and manufacturing cost accounting principles.
• Experience supporting organizations with government-funded research, technology, manufacturing, defense, or nonprofit operations.
• Proficiency with month-end close, consolidations, budgeting, forecasting, and cash management in a complex accounting environment.
• Hands-on experience with NetSuite or a comparable ERP platform used for financial reporting and operational oversight.
• Knowledge of ITAR and other compliance considerations relevant to federally regulated programs.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills with the ability to work cross-functionally and advise executive stakeholders.

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