Controller, Accounting, & Financial Operations

CONTROLLER, ACCOUNTING & FINANCIAL OPERATIONS

First Book | Washington, DC (Hybrid)

ABOUT FIRST BOOK

First Book is a leading nonprofit social enterprise dedicated to removing barriers to quality education for children in need. Through innovative public–private partnerships and a national network of more than 600,000 educators, program leaders, and community organizations, First Book has distributed over 250 million books and educational resources to under-resourced communities. Our work spans e-commerce (First Book Marketplace), research and insights (First Book R&I), and tailored program development (First Book Accelerator), all designed to elevate the voices and needs of educators serving children in low-income communities.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Controller, Accounting & Financial Operations is responsible for the integrity, accuracy, timeliness, and scalability of First Book’s accounting and financial reporting functions. This role leads the day-to-day accounting operation and serves as a key financial partner to Finance and organizational leadership, ensuring that financial information supports sound operational and strategic decision-making.

Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, the Controller leads the accounting team and will move the function from reporting historical results to providing forward-looking financial insight and decision support.

WHAT YOU’LL OWN

Accounting & Financial Reporting

Lead and oversee all accounting operations, including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash management, reconciliations, fixed assets, inventory, revenue recognition, and other accounting activities.

Own the monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes, establishing appropriate timelines, review procedures, reconciliations, and controls to ensure accurate and timely financial reporting.

Oversee preparation of monthly financial statements, management reporting, financial analysis, and Board-level financial reporting.

Ensure financial reporting complies with U.S. GAAP and applicable nonprofit accounting and reporting requirements.

Develop and maintain accounting policies, procedures, and documentation that support consistent and scalable financial operations.

Ensure appropriate accounting treatment and financial reporting for First Book’s programs, revenue streams, grants, contributions, inventory, and other significant transactions.

Financial Planning, Analysis & Business Partnership

Partner with Finance leadership and business/program leaders to develop budgets, forecasts, financial models, and operating plans.

Manage and continuously improve the financial forecasting process, including cash flow, revenue, expenses, working capital, and other key financial drivers.

Develop and maintain meaningful financial and operating metrics that enable leadership to understand performance, identify trends, and make informed decisions.

Lead financial analysis of variances to budget and forecast and translate financial results into actionable insights for management.

Partner with operational leaders to evaluate cost structures, pricing, margins, resource allocation, and the financial implications of new programs, partnerships, and revenue opportunities.

Provide management with timely, accurate, and actionable financial information to support strategic and operational decision-making.

Internal Controls, Compliance & Risk Management

Design, implement, and continuously strengthen internal controls and financial processes to safeguard organizational assets and ensure the integrity of financial information.

Establish appropriate segregation of duties, approval processes, reconciliations, and financial controls.

Monitor compliance with applicable financial, tax, regulatory, and contractual requirements.

Identify financial and operational risks and recommend appropriate mitigation strategies.

Audit & Tax

Lead the annual financial statement audit, serving as the primary internal point of coordination with external auditors.

Ensure timely preparation of audit schedules, supporting documentation, and responses to auditor requests.

Partner with external accounting and tax advisors to oversee annual tax filings and other required financial and regulatory reporting.

Monitor audit findings and ensure timely implementation of agreed-upon remediation activities.

Systems, Data & Process Improvement

Oversee the selection, implementation, integration, and ongoing maintenance of accounting and financial systems.

Ensure the accuracy, integrity, and appropriate accessibility of financial data across systems.

Identify opportunities to automate, streamline, and improve accounting and financial processes.

Develop scalable financial processes and systems that support organizational growth.

Cash, Banking & Treasury

Oversee cash management, banking relationships, cash forecasting, and liquidity planning.

Establish appropriate controls and processes for cash receipts, disbursements, bank reconciliations, and account management.

Monitor working capital and liquidity to support sustainable operations.

Leadership & Team Management

Lead, supervise, and develop the accounting team, establishing clear expectations, priorities, performance standards, and professional development goals.

Manage workflow and resource allocation across the accounting function to ensure timely and high-quality deliverables.

Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, collaboration, and financial stewardship.

Serve as a trusted financial resource to colleagues across the organization and communicate complex financial concepts clearly to non-financial stakeholders.

Additional Responsibilities

Other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required.

Active Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license issued by a U.S. state or jurisdiction, in good standing, required.

Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) or Accounting (MAcc) preferred.

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

Minimum of ten years of progressive accounting or finance experience, including a senior-level finance or accounting position, required; prior Controller and/or nonprofit accounting experience strongly preferred.

Demonstrated expertise in U.S. GAAP and nonprofit accounting, including contributions, grants, restricted funds, and revenue recognition.

Proven experience owning the financial close, leading annual audits, and designing and maintaining internal controls.

Experience developing budgets, forecasts, and financial models, including during a period of organizational growth.

Exceptional financial analysis skills, including variance, margin, working capital, and cash flow analysis.

Experience implementing or optimizing accounting systems and automating financial processes.

Demonstrated experience supervising and developing accounting staff.

Ability to communicate financial results and recommendations clearly to non-financial stakeholders, executive leadership, and the Board.

Experience with inventory accounting or earned-revenue/e-commerce business lines preferred.

Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel; proficiency with Word and PowerPoint.

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

Minimum of ten years of progressive accounting or finance experience, including a senior-level finance or accounting position, required; prior Controller and/or nonprofit accounting experience strongly preferred.

Demonstrated expertise in U.S. GAAP and nonprofit accounting, including contributions, grants, restricted funds, and revenue recognition.

Proven experience owning the financial close, leading annual audits, and designing and maintaining internal controls.

Experience developing budgets, forecasts, and financial models, including during a period of organizational growth.

Exceptional financial analysis skills, including variance, margin, working capit