Controller/Director, Finance & Accounting

Join a team that’s making a difference!

Fact-based journalism is under unprecedented attack at a time when a free, independent news media has never been more important. The International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) works to ensure that the cornerstone of healthy democracies - reliable, trustworthy news – stays strong for generations to come. We give journalists the support and tools they need to do their jobs better. Through our work, journalists are enhancing news coverage and connecting more deeply with their audiences. ICFJ’s network is truly international - in the past five years alone, we have worked with 177,000 journalists from 173 countries. Our programs have impact: Stories produced by our participants have led to the fall of corrupt governments, promoted better laws and made communities safer and healthier.

Position Summary

ICFJ is seeking a Controller/Director, Finance and Accounting who will play a pivotal role in ensuring financial precision and integrity by leading the accounting team, developing robust internal controls, and delivering timely, accurate financial reports.

The Controller/Director, Finance and Accounting will be responsible for developing and maintaining accounting principles, practices, procedures, and internal controls to ensure accurate and timely financial reports. Working under the supervision of the Vice President of Finance and Administration, the Controller/Director, Finance and Accounting directs and coordinates the daily activities of the accounting team to quickly and accurately record all transactions. The Controller/Director, Finance and Accounting must be a highly-motivated self-starter with supervisory, review and proofing experience and they must be customer service oriented with excellent communication skills. This position reports to the Vice President of Finance and Administration.

This position encompasses tight deadlines and a multitude of accounting activities including general ledger preparation, monthly close process, financial reporting, and year-end audit preparation.

Major Responsibilities

• Oversee the daily accounting activities required to maintain the general ledger in compliance with financial policies and procedures.
• Supervise, direct, and review the work of the accounting team, including a Senior Accountant, an Accountant, and a Finance officer (Accounts Payable), who manage accounts payables, account receivables, recording of revenue and expenses, etc.
• Maintain organized set of detailed records and files to document financial transactions.
• Resolve complex accounting issues.
• Respond to inquiries and assist staff on resolving accounting issues in a professional and timely manner.
• Review general ledger on a monthly basis to ensure accuracy of posting.
• Produce accurate and timely monthly, quarterly and annual financial statements, project reports and ad hoc financial reports.
• Inform VP of Finance of relevant issues regarding financial controls, accounting, and reporting.
• Make and implement recommendations to improve accounting processes and procedures.
• Oversee maintenance and enhancements of integrated financial management system (Intacct)
• Oversee filing of tax forms including 1099s, 1042, 990 and any other local, state of federal reports.
• Serve as backup for payroll processing.
• Coordinate preparation for annual audit: scheduling, resource-gathering, and recommended follow-through.
• Develop and maintain a manual of accounting policies and procedures.
• Provide training to new and existing staff as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned or required.
  
  

Competencies

• Professional knowledge : Considerable knowledge of GAAP, including nonprofit accounting theory, techniques, practices and procedures. General knowledge of local, state and federal regulations and statues governing the area of work.
• Supervision and Administration : Ability to establish expectation and clear direction to meet goals and objectives. Ability to motivate and engage employees through effective communication. Ability to assign, assess, and review work. Ability to coach and mentor staff. Ability to evaluate performance.
• Critical thinking : Ability to analyze and interpret financial data. Ability to draw conclusions and assess impact. Ability to make accurate decisions. Ability to make appropriate recommendations.
• Change Management : Ability to plan and implement change initiatives. Ability to support innovation and creativity by encouraging staff to accept and resolve challenges. Ability to remain flexible to meet constantly changing and sometimes challenging demands.
• Communication : Ability to present information effectively in a manner suited to the characteristics and needs of the audience. Ability to convey information clearly and concisely either verbally or in writing to ensure that the intended audience understands the information and the message. Ability to listen and respond appropriately to others. Ability to resolve accounting issues concerns with staff effectively.
  
  

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with degree in Accounting, Business or Finance, required. CPA preferred.
• Strong knowledge of nonprofit GAAP required.
• Six to eight years of progressive accounting experience, including at least three years in a supervisory role, required.
• At least three years of non-profit experience required.
• Experience in payroll processing a plus.
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal and communication skills.
• Excellent computer skills; experience in accounting software, Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspace.
• Proficiency with accounting software and experience with a software system implementation.
• High attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to work in a fast deadline driven environment with multiple priorities.
• Public accounting experience preferred.
• Experience with federal grants preferred.
• Second-language proficiency (especially in Spanish) a plus.
  
  

To apply, please submit a resume and cover letter.

In compliance with federal law, upon hire, all persons will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification forms.

ICFJ is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We intentionally reflect this commitment in our policies, our actions, and our work serving a global community of journalists.

ICFJ is a non-profit classified as a 501(c)(3) and as such receives funding from public and private grant funds and donations. Our funders are listed at the bottom of our annual report .