Controller, Accounting, Financial Compliance

Internews Job Description Controller

Job Title: Controller

Career Level: Level 5, M2/P4

Salary: $110,000 to $120,000

Department: Business Operations

Job Family: Finance

Job Sub-Family: Multi-Discipline

Location: Remote in United States

Work Location: Fully Remote (Washington DC)

Term: Non-Term

Funding: Overhead/Project Support

Status: Exempt

Supervisor: Chief Finance Officer

Supervises: Finance Officer

The Controller is responsible for planning, directing, and managing the organization's accounting operations to ensure the accuracy, integrity, and timeliness of financial records and reporting. The position oversees the general ledger, financial close process, financial statement preparation, audits, internal controls, and accounting compliance while supporting the organization's strategic financial objectives.

Working under the direction of the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), the Controller serves as the organization's chief accounting professional and ensures compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), governmental accounting standards (as applicable), organizational policies, grant requirements, and regulatory reporting obligations.

The Controller collaborates closely with the Finance Officer to ensure efficient financial operations and with the Senior Project Finance Manager to support project accounting, grant reporting, and capital project financial management.

• Direct and oversee all accounting operations, including general ledger maintenance, account reconciliations, journal entries, and financial recordkeeping.

• Ensure the integrity, accuracy, and completeness of Internews financial records.

• Maintain the chart of accounts and accounting structure.

• Establish and monitor accounting procedures that support organizational objectives and regulatory compliance.

• Review accounting transactions to ensure proper classification and documentation.

• Lead the monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close processes.

• Prepare accurate and timely financial statements and supporting schedules.

• Develop financial reports for executive leadership, management, and external stakeholders.

• Analyze financial results and explain significant variances.

• Assist the CFO in preparing reports for the Board of Directors and executive leadership.

• Develop, implement, and maintain effective internal accounting controls.

• Monitor compliance with accounting standards, policies, and financial procedures.

• Recommend improvements to strengthen financial controls and reduce organizational risk.

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local financial reporting requirements.

• Maintain accounting policies and procedures documentation.

• Coordinate annual financial statement audits and other external audits.

• Prepare audit schedules and support documentation.

• Serve as the primary liaison with external auditors.

• Monitor implementation of audit recommendations.

• Support grant, program, and compliance audits.

• Assist the CFO with development of the annual operating budget.

• Monitor departmental budgets and provide variance analysis.

• Support financial forecasting and organizational planning.

• Provide financial information to department managers to support decision-making.

• Review cash management activities and banking transactions.

• Monitor cash flow reporting prepared by the Finance Officer.

• Review investment and debt accounting as assigned.

• Ensure appropriate accounting for restricted and designated funds.

• Administer accounting software and financial reporting systems.

• Recommend improvements to accounting…