Controller

CONTROLLER

About the Organization

TreePeople is an environmental nonprofit organization that mobilizes individuals, families, communities, philanthropists, and public agencies to work together to create green, resilient communities by providing education on the benefits of planting trees, capturing rainwater, greening schools, and providing fun environmental activities. TreePeople unites with communities to grow a greener, shadier, and more water-secure region at homes, neighborhoods, schools, and local mountains.

About the Position

Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), the Controller will lead all day-to-day finance operations including functional responsibility over accounting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and grants administration.

The Controller will oversee accounting, prepare allocations and capital planning, and manage the organization's risk. The Controller will also participate in the monthly and yearly accounting close processes to ensure the categorization of operating and capital expenditures, monitor and execute compliance policies, and ensure that the organization is appropriately accrued. An experienced team leader, the Controller will manage and develop accounting and grants administration staff.

Roles & Responsibilities

Accounting Leadership

• Establish, monitor, and enforce financial policies and procedures to guide sound financial decisions.
• Protect organizational assets by implementing and maintaining robust internal controls.
• Lead the accounting department through the month-end close process including journal entries, general ledger account, and bank reconciliations. Review the general ledger for proper recognition of revenue, expenses, liability, and net assets.
• Maintain and review monthly balance sheet reconciliations prepared by the Staff Accountant
• Manage all audit activity; ensure compliance with local, state, and federal financial reporting requirements. (Single Audit and 990 preparation)
• Ensure timely filing of new vendor disclosures, sales tax, and 1099 forms with appropriate government entities.
• Maintain banking relationships and related documentation.
• Conduct semi-annual reviews of accounting processes to ensure best practices and sound procedures.

Grant Management & Reporting

• Oversee all aspects of grants accounting, ensuring expenditures align with grant budgets.
• Collaborate with the Programs team to ensure accurate and timely reporting to funders.
• Assist in preparing financial reporting materials for government and private grants.

Staff Leadership & Development

• Recruit, develop, and manage accounting staff.
• Assign tasks, monitor work results, and ensure operational requirements are met.
• Coach, counsel, and discipline employees as needed.
• Plan, monitor, and appraise job results to maintain high-performance standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or a related field (Master’s in Accounting or CPA designation preferred)
• Minimum of 5 years progressive experience in nonprofit accounting
• Demonstrated expertise in grant management and reporting (state grant experience a plus)
• Proven ability to supervise accounting staff and lead month-end close processes
• Experience working with external auditors for financial filings
• Strong knowledge of accounting theory and practice in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards
• Familiarity with federal, state, local, and programmatic audit requirements
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Strong analytical and organizational abilities
• Self-motivated and self-directed work ethic
• Ability to work independently, establish priorities, and meet shifting deadlines
• Advanced proficiency in accounting and reporting software, particularly Sage
• Expertise in Microsoft Office suite, especially Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
• Skill in analyzing data, identifying patterns and trends, and merging data from various sources for analysis and reporting
• Strong supervisory skills, including the ability to recruit, train, assign work, conduct performance evaluations, and manage staff performance
• Strategic thinking capabilities to determine organizational strategies, set goals, create and implement action plans, and evaluate processes and results

Compensation & Benefits

The salary range for this position is $120,000 - $140,000 and is currently a hybrid role with the expectation to be in the office at least twice per week. TreePeople’s office is based in Beverly Hills, CA.

TreePeople is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to a diverse workforce. Individuals from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply, including persons with disabilities and veterans.

Envision Consulting was retained by TreePeople to conduct the search for their incoming Controller.