About the Role
The Vice President, Accounting is a senior finance leader responsible for the integrity, transparency, and strategic oversight of the organization’s financial operations. This role ensures best-in-class accounting practices, regulatory compliance, and treasury management, serving as a key advisor to executive leadership and fostering collaborative relationships across departments to align financial stewardship with mission impact and long-term sustainability.
Responsibilities
- Provide strategic direction over the general ledger, financial reporting, compliance, and treasury functions.
- Ensure the integrity, accuracy, and timeliness of all financial information.
- Serve as a key advisor to the CFO and executive team on financial risks and opportunities.
- Lead and develop a high-performing accounting and finance team.
- Participate in advancing EDF’s organizational effectiveness and culture goals.
- Oversee and optimize the monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes.
- Establish and enforce accounting policies in accordance with GAAP and nonprofit standards.
- Ensure scalability and consistency of accounting operations across the organization.
- Provide oversight on complex accounting issues and technical interpretations.
- Oversee preparation of internal and external financial reports, including board and committee materials.
- Ensure clarity, accuracy, and relevance of financial reporting for executive decision making.
- Translate financial data into strategic recommendations.
- Ensure full compliance with nonprofit regulations including Form 990, CGA, FBAR, and other filings.
- Provide executive oversight of the annual audit as well as various agreed procedure audits.
- Design enhanced internal control processes and maintain a robust internal control environment and risk management framework.
- Oversee cash flow strategy, liquidity planning, and investment oversight.
- Ensure effective management of banking relationships and financial institutions.
- Establish policies for cash management, investments, reserves, and financial risk mitigation.
- Lead continuous improvement and transformation of finance processes.
- Drive adoption and optimization of financial systems and reporting tools.
- Champion automation, scalability, and data-driven decision-making.
- Establish best practices across finance functions.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or related field required.
- CPA certification required.
- Minimum of 15+ years of progressive accounting experience, including at least 5 years in public accounting and 5 years in a leadership role.
- Experience in a large nonprofit with complex funding structures required.
- Strong knowledge of nonprofit accounting standards, Uniform Guidance, and donor/grant compliance.
- Deep knowledge of US GAAP and strong knowledge of internal controls and regulatory requirements.
- Proven experience overseeing accounting function, reporting, treasury, and audits.
- Experience with nonprofit ERP Systems (e.g., NetSuite, NetSuite Planning & Budgeting, etc.).
- Demonstrates comprehensive analytical skills with strong attention to detail and the ability to identify issues, analyze root causes, and develop practical solutions.
- Experience working with executive leadership, audit and finance committees, and Board of Trustees.
- Demonstrates senses of urgency to drive timely decisions, meet deadlines, and achieve goals in a complex environment.
- Proven time management skills and the ability to juggle multiple responsibilities working with individuals across various time zones.
- Excellent verbal and written communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively interact with stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
- Demonstrated integrity, ethics, and professionalism in handling confidential information and sensitive situations.
- Proven ability to lead, coach, and develop high-performing teams, fostering accountability, collaboration, and continuous professional growth.
- Demonstrated self-awareness, cultural competency and inclusiveness, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across all cultures and backgrounds.
- Strong proficiency in audit software, data analytics tools, and Microsoft Office suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, etc.).
- Willingness and ability to travel up to 10% of the time domestically and internationally, as needed.
Skills
- Accounting
- Financial Reporting
- Compliance
- Treasury Management
- GAAP
- Nonprofit Accounting Standards
- Uniform Guidance
- Donor/Grant Compliance
- Internal Controls
- Risk Management
- Cash Flow Strategy
- Liquidity Planning
- Investment Oversight
- Process Improvement
- Systems Transformation
- ERP Systems (NetSuite)
- Data Analytics
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel)
Experience Level
- 15+ years of progressive accounting experience
- 5+ years in public accounting
- 5+ years in a leadership role
Education Level
- Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or related field
- CPA certification
- MBA preferred
Salary/Compensations
- 248,000 - 268,000 USD
Benefits
- Competitive salary
- Robust benefits
- Professional development opportunities
About the Company
- Building a Vibrant Culture
- Our Mission and Values
