Director, Accounting; Controller Department

The Urban Institute is a research‑to‑impact institution founded on one simple ideal; to improve lives and strengthen communities, we need practices and policies that work. From advancing well‑being to fostering shared prosperity, leaders across sectors are working every day to create brighter futures for all people and communities. For more than 50 years, Urban has delivered evidence and solutions that drive meaningful change, and this remains our charge today.

Our Mission To drive impact by equipping changemakers with evidence and solutions. Our Values Collaboration, Equity, Inclusivity, Independence, and Integrity For more information on the Urban Institute, please visit https://www.urban.org.

Central to Urban's mission is fostering a truly inclusive community that ensures ongoing relevance to a changing world. Urban’s Controller Department seeks an experienced, collaborative, and proactive Accounting Director to join its leadership team. Reporting to the Senior Director, Accounting, the Accounting Director will play a key role in overseeing urban’s accounting operations, including the financial close, billing and revenue accounting, accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll accounting, financial reporting, and audit activities.

The Director will ensure accurate and timely financial reporting, strong internal controls, and compliance with GAAP and applicable federal award requirements. The ideal candidate will bring strong technical accounting knowledge, sound judgment, and a continuous‑improvement mindset. The role is well suited for an accounting leader who can balance hands‑on operational oversight with technical accounting, cross‑functional collaboration, and process improvement.

• Lead full‑cycle accounting operations, including the general ledger, monthly and year‑end close, reconciliations, accruals, allocations, and supporting documentation, ensuring accurate and timely financial records.
• Review significant and nonroutine transactions, estimates, and account analyses for GAAP compliance, appropriate documentation, and audit readiness.
• Direct billing and revenue accounting for government contracts and grants, foundations, and other funders; overs invoice accuracy, timely billing, and resolution of billing issues.
• Review revenue recognition analyses under ASC 606 and ASC 958, including ASU 2019‑08, and lead and document the analysis of complex or judgmental accounting matters.
• Oversee accounts receivable, cash application, aging, and collections, ensuring appropriate reconciliation among funding agreements, projects, and the general ledger.
• Oversee accounts payable, payroll accounting, and information reporting, including Forms 1099, while maintaining effective internal controls and segregation of duties.
• Serve as the first comprehensive reviewer of financial statements, disclosures, account analyses, and other financial reporting.
• Lead accounting support for the annual financial statement audit, Single Audit, and funder or regulatory audits, including preparation and review of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA).
• Support accounting and compliance for federal awards, including Uniform Guidance requirements, indirect cost recovery, and Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA) matters.
• Serve as the first reviewer of Form 990 work papers, including reconciliation to the general ledger and consistency of financial disclosures.
• Lead, coach, and develop accounting staff; establish clear ownership and accountability and partner with Finance, Grants & Contracts, Human Resources, Technology & Data Science, and program teams to strengthen processes and data quality.
• Identify and implement opportunities to improve…