Job Description

The Controller leads the organization’s day-to-day accounting and finance operations, ensuring strong internal controls, accurate reporting, and compliance with nonprofit accounting standards and grantor requirements. The Controller oversees accounting, financial reporting, audit execution, and grants financial management, while translating strategic financial priorities into disciplined operational execution. This role manages and develops the Finance team and serves as a key partner to the CFO in supporting sound financial decision-making and organizational accountability.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Accounting & Financial Operations

• Oversee all accounting operations, including general ledger, accounts payable and receivable, payroll, and month-end and year-end close
• Ensure timely, accurate financial statements in accordance with GAAP and nonprofit accounting standards
• Maintain and continuously improve internal controls, accounting policies, and procedures
• Manage cash flow, banking activity, and balance sheet reconciliations in partnership with the CFO
• Responsible for preparing quarterly financial dockets, including financial and narrative reports

Grants & Funds Management

• Oversee financial tracking and reporting for existing and prospective grants and restricted funds, ensuring accuracy and compliance with donor requirements
• Partner with program, grants, and development teams to support budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting related to grantmaking
• Support funder financial reports, grant audits, and compliance reviews
• Ensure appropriate allocation of expenses across programs and funding sources

Audit, Compliance & Risk Management

• Lead the annual audit process and serve as primary liaison to external auditors, in coordination with the CFO
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, including preparation of IRS filings (e.g., Form 990)
• Identify financial and compliance risks and work with the CFO to implement mitigation strategies

Budgeting, Forecasting, & Strategic Support

• Support annual budgeting and periodic reforecasting in partnership with senior leadership
• Provide variance analysis and financial insights to inform decision-making
• Support financial planning and modeling initiatives led by the CFO
• Translate strategic financial priorities into operational execution
• Provide detailed analysis to inform leadership decision-making

Team Leadership & Management

• Directly manage, coach, and develop the Finance team
• Set clear expectations, priorities, and performance standards for the accounting team
• Ensure appropriate delegation while maintaining accountability for accuracy, timeliness, and compliance
• Build a collaborative, service-oriented finance function that supports the broader organization

EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, Finance, or related experience; CPA required
• 8–10+ years of progressive accounting experience, including at nonprofit or grant-making organizations
• Strong knowledge of GAAP, nonprofit accounting, and restricted fund accounting
• Experience managing audits and complex financial reporting
• Demonstrated ability to work with and present to finance committees
• Demonstrated experience managing and developing teams, including setting expectations, providing feedback, and supporting professional growth
• Exceptional attention to detail with the ability to balance accuracy and efficiency
• Strong communication skills and ability to partner effectively across teams
• High organizational and quantitative skills
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize and be flexible in a fast-paced, constantly evolving, and collaborative environment
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office and Excel, with experience using Salesforce strongly preferred
• Required: Technical proficiency in NetSuite
• Previous experience with 501c3 tax filings including public charities and private foundations

SALARY

We provide a salary commensurate with qualifications and experience. The target national salary range is $145,000 to $155,000 with adjustments made for people in higher-expense markets, i.e. the San Francisco Bay Area, New York City, and Washington D.C. Equity is incredibly important to the organization, and a pay audit for equity is completed annually.

BENEFITS

Climate Imperative provides a comprehensive benefits package. The benefits include: 

• Up to 100% of premium paid for medical, dental and vision
• STD & LTD disability insurance
• Life insurance
• Carrot fertility and family planning benefits
• Student loan repayment assistance
• 401k retirement plan with a company match contribution
• Public transportation benefit options
• Cell phone and health/wellness reimbursement
• 14 paid holidays and four weeks of paid time off (PTO)
• Regular staff lunches and team building activities
• SF and DC office stocked with healthy snacks and beverages
• An innovative, collaborative, welcoming work culture

OUR COMMITMENT

Climate Imperative is committed to diversity, equity, & inclusion and to a transparent recruitment process that fosters belonging. Our goal is to hire and advance people regardless of race, gender, ability, sexual orientation, age, citizenship status, military service, medical condition, and any other protected characteristic under local, state, or federal law. We encourage people from all backgrounds to apply.

We are committed to an accessible employee experience. If at any time you need a reasonable accommodation, please contact jobs@climateimperative.org

ABOUT US

Climate change is governed by physical facts—about carbon sources, accumulation, impacts, and timing, and more importantly, about solutions that work. These facts must inform strategy: they show that avoiding dangerous climate change is only possible through strong policy to cut carbon, promptly, in the biggest countries. To address these issues, Climate Imperative was founded to provide resources to the field of climate policy in this decisive decade.

Climate Imperative is a 501(c)(3) public charity focused on solving the climate crisis at speed and scale by providing funding, technical support, and expertise to win the world's most significant emissions reduction policy decisions this decade.

Climate Imperative operates from two office locations in San Francisco, CA and Washington, DC. Employees based in those areas work from the office one to three days per week. We support a hybrid work environment and bring the full team together in person one to two times per year for organization-wide collaboration.