Controller

The Women’s Foundation of California is a publicly-supported grantmaking foundation that invests in women as a key strategy for creating a California where all communities are economically secure and can thrive. To achieve this, we connect a broad network of partners across California, including individuals and organizations, to resource bold community-led solutions and help move the best to scale. We catalyze ideas by applying a gender analysis to complex issues and communicate those issues in a way that builds public resolve to act. We influence and act on public policy with an expertise developed through 33 years of cross-community and cross-sector collaboration.

Can you hold a vision as large as ours while taking care of the details? If so, bring your skills, knowledge and experience to our team in San Francisco and put them to work managing, reporting and stewarding our financial resources. As the person primarily responsible for the Foundation’s financial operations and administration, you’ll report to our VP of Development and Finance and will work with others on the team to ensure the financial stability and sustainability of the Foundation.

Your commitment to the mission, goals and values of the Women’s Foundation of California will be expressed through your implementation of financial policies and practices to track, report, grow and safeguard our assets. Your own growth will be supported by the people and policies of the Foundation, and your successes will be mirrored by the successes of the women and girls supported by our grants and programs.

Our ideal candidate has as BA/BS in Accounting, 7+ years in nonprofit accounting, including experience with audits, automated databases and accounting systems, budgeting and supervision. If the position appeals to you and you meet the minimum requirements, you are invited to provide the following as your initial application for Controller:

• A cover letter stating your interest, availability and general qualifications
• A resume or CV outlining your skills and experience

Submit your complete packet via email to NorthBayHR@gmail.com. Those meeting the minimum requirements will be asked to complete a formal application prior to further consideration.

The Women’s Foundation of California provides equal employment and advancement opportunities to everyone, thus employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications and abilities. The Foundation does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, size, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, familial status, veteran status, disability, AIDS/HIV status, medical condition or any other characteristic protected by law.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Controller participates as a member of the Finance/Operations Team with primary responsibility for the Foundation’s financial operations and administration. The foci of this position are financial planning, management and evaluation. Associated responsibilities include policies and procedures, daily financial management, monthly reporting and annual budget and audit. Under the general direction of, and in partnership with, the Vice President of Development and Finance, the Controller regularly makes independent, critical decisions on behalf of the Foundation. The Foundation’s annual operating budget is $7 million and its assets are $11 million.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Implement financial policies and guidelines to ensure the Foundation’s assets are protected, utilized effectively, internal controls are adequate and investment returns optimized in compliance with the Investment Guidelines.
• Oversee and manage the daily financial operations of the Foundation, including accounts payable and receivable, payroll and benefits administration, reporting, reconciliation, third party contracts and all regulatory filings in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, IRS regulations for nonprofit organizations.
• Supervise the Bookkeeper/Operations Coordinator.
• Create and evaluate short- and long-range measurable financial goals and objectives, including an annual workplan, ensuring appropriate integration with those of Development and Communications and Programs.
• Manage the Foundation’s annual budgeting process and monthly financial tracking; produce budget presentation materials and monthly financial reports for the Foundation’s Board Finance Committee.
• Manage and track cash flow in order to maintain positive cash position, monitor various accounts and project cash needs; adhere to the Foundation’s Operating Reserve Guidelines.
• Provide complete, accurate and timely financial reports to staff, board and funders.
• Manage the annual audit, including preparation of schedules, compliance and response to management letter.
• Partner with the Foundation’s Program Team to track grant revenue and releases and ensure fulfillment of the Foundation’s related financial obligations.
• Provide regular reports to the Foundation’s donor-advised fund holders, fiscally-sponsored entities and special pass-through projects.
• Perform ad hoc analyses and create special reports as requested.
• With the VP of Development and Finance, support the Finance and Audit Committees of the Board of Directors.

QUALIFICATIONS

Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance or equivalent education required.
• A minimum of 7 years nonprofit accounting and financial management experience.
• Demonstrated success in managing a finance department, including strategy development, budgeting, daily financial management, database management and staff supervision.
• Demonstrated understanding of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, IRS regulations for nonprofit organizations and fund accounting.
• Mastery of Blackbaud’s Financial Edge or comparable accounting software.
• Willingness and ability to gain proficiency with other software applications related to the duties of the position.
• Excellent project management, listening, oral and written communication and meeting facilitation skills with a demonstrated ability to relate to and communicate with diverse audiences and communities.
• Ability to meet deadlines and motivate others to do so in a highly collaborative environment.
• Outstanding attention to detail and follow-through.
• Willingness and ability to travel to meetings and other Foundation events.
• Mathematical and reasoning skills suitable to execute all assigned tasks and responsibilities, even with frequent distractions and multiple priorities.
• Understanding of donor advised funds, donor circles and private funding desired.
• Proficiency with MS Outlook and Office Suite (especially Word, Excel and PowerPoint).

Qualities

• Must possess a strong commitment to the mission, policies, goals and philosophy of the Women’s Foundation of California.
• Impeccable ethics, highly developed decision-making skills and unfailingly trustworthy.
• Must be able to work independently and multi-task with high degree of project and time-management capacity.
• Strong self-motivation, organization and initiative.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently as well as within a team.
• Demonstrated ability to achieve high performance goals and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment and to motivate others to do so.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to create positive, long-term working relationships by demonstrating a commitment to teamwork and customer service, tact, dependability, diplomacy and flexibility.
• Proven ability to work in a small and friendly office environment where each staff person assumes multiple responsibilities while striving to achieve shared goals.
• Positive approach, can-do attitude and sense of humor.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the job’s essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit for long periods while using a computer with keyboard, screen and mouse; talk and listen on a telephone and in person; read and write; apply logic and focus attention in the presence of distractions. Occasional requirements are to stand or walk for brief periods, travel by car and airplane, lift and/or move loads of up to 25 pounds.

To apply, please submit your cover letter and resume to NorthBayHR@gmail.com