Controller

Washington, District of Columbia, United States | Finance | Full-time | Hybrid

Apply by: Oct. 2, 2026
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We're protecting and enhancing America's National Park System for present and future generations.

National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) is the nation's oldest and largest national parks nonprofit advocacy organization. NPCA has an exciting opportunity for a Controller on our Finance team.

Position Title: Controller

Grade:  P                        Job Status: Full Time FLSA: Exempt

Department: Finance      Location: Washington, DC

Immediate Supervisor: Chief Financial Officer

Manager’s Supervisor: COO

Incumbent/New Position: Incumbent

Salary: $116k-$139k (Based on experience)

Benefits: We offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package for this role including a four-day, 32-hour work week, paid vacation leave, paid sick leave, paid holidays, health insurance, flexible spending account, dental insurance, life insurance, vision insurance, retirement benefits, short- and long-term disability, and paid sabbaticals for staff after seven years of service. Learn more about our benefits at npca.org/jobs. 

Primary Purpose of the Position: To supervise and direct the day-to-day operations of the Finance Department to include financial reporting, grant reporting, budgeting, payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, state corporate and charitable registrations, reconciliations and lease administration.

Essential Functions

Oversight of A/P, Cash Receipts, Payroll, Grant Reporting and Reconciliation Functions -30%

In conjunction with the Assistant Controller, responsible for the review and approval of all A/P, expense reimbursements, corporate credit card charges, cash receipts and monthly general ledger entries.  Review batches for accuracy and documentation.  Perform monthly review of balance sheet reconciliations including the monthly bank reconciliation of operating account(s) for the CFO’s review.  Oversee payroll processing, tax filings, and work with HR on compliance, reporting, and benefits. Verify work with grant reporting staff to ensure timeliness and accuracy.

Departmental Financial Reporting and Budgeting- 25%

Responsible for processing, review and distribution of monthly departmental financial reports; Monitor and review accounting and related system reports for accuracy and completeness.  Plays a major role in the annual budget process.

Develop and Manage Finance Staff -15%

Develop, train, evaluate, and coach accounting personnel (team of four with three direct reports). 

Special projects- 10%

As assigned, may include reporting and budgeting input, lease administration and preparations for executive team, staff and board meetings, backing up CFO on contract management and oversight, and various other types of financially related activities.  Responsible for coordination of all financial software implementation and upgrades. 

Annual Audits, Tax Returns & Pension Plan compliance- 10%

Oversight of annual financial statement audit and audits of the 401(k) and 403(b) pension audits, IRS Forms 990 & 5500 preparation and overall pension plan compliance in conjunction with auditors and benefits consultants. 

Internal Controls and Standard Operating Procedures- 5%

Review, develop and enforce internal controls and standard operating procedures to safeguard the assets of the organization and ensure compliance with management’s policies.

National Parks Action Fund (NPAF) -5%

Responsible for all accounting functions for the National Parks Action Fund, the organization’s affiliated 501(c)4. This includes the GL, Cash Receipts, A/P and Budgets.  Coordinates the fiscal Budget template setup, working with the NPAF team, and finalizing the budget report for presentation to the CFO. Reviews, processes and distributes the monthly financial reports.

Other: Respect employees regardless of their position or background. Participates in developing department goals, objectives, and systems. Participates in administrative staff meetings, organization-wide meetings, staff committee meetings, training programs, and attends other meetings and seminars as designated by the CFO.  Assists in evaluation of reports, decisions, and results of department in relation to established goals. This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee in this position. 

Minimum Work Schedule:   32-hour work week, Monday-Thursday, 9:00 am – 5:30 pm.

Minimum Scope of Position: Interacts with Grant Acquisition to track processes to include set-up, record keeping and reporting, All Finance Staff, Other Department Managers, All levels of Staff.

Minimum Qualifications, Competencies, Skills, Education, and Traits:

  • Bachelor’s degree in business with a Major in Accounting
  • CPA Preferred
  • Eight Years Accounting Experience in Public or Corporate Accounting, 501(c) experience preferred
  • Experience in productive, positive staff management, including managing dispersed teams.
  • Experience with Grant Accounting is a plus
  • Superior ability to create reports using Accounting software, Sage 300 Intelligence and/or Crystal Reports preferred
  • Excellent Excel and other Microsoft software application skills such as Outlook, Word and Power Point.
  • Excellent writing and communication skills

Core Values

Live, honor, and own the organization’s Core Values: 

Commitment: We are passionate about NPCA and dedicated to achieving excellence through our work and mission. We seek to improve our performance by taking opportunities for professional and personal development and encouraging reasonable risk-taking and innovation.  

Inclusion: We value diversity of thought, background, experience, and opinion. We create a culture of empowerment by welcoming and encouraging meaningful participation from all people and promoting an environment that embraces different perspectives.  

Integrity: We hold ourselves accountable to each other, our members and partners, and our mission. We evaluate the impact of our work and strive for honesty and transparency across the organization. We operate ethically in the organization's best interests.  

Respect: We collaborate in results-oriented teams based on trust and consideration for each other. We promote harmony between our work and our personal lives. We foster a healthy and positive workplace culture and work collaboratively with external partners.  

Physical Effort and Dexterity:  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is typically required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; talk or hear. The employee may lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job may include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.

Physical Environment:  Typical office setting; cube

Employer’s Rights:  NPCA reserves the right to revise this position description at any time.  The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the NPCA and employee and is subject to change by the NPCA as the needs of the NPCA and requirements of the job change. The above is in no way an exhaustive list of the requirements for the position.


HOW TO APPLY
Submit a resume and cover letter outlining qualifications and interest in the position. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. We will contact you with next steps if you are selected for an interview.