The Maureen and Mike Mansfield Foundation is hiring a Senior Controller to lead our finance office.
The Foundation implements programming for professionals involved in U.S.-Asia relations, with offices in Washington, DC, Missoula, and Tokyo.
The role is based in Washington, D.C. and is hybrid with two (2) days per week of remote work and three (3) days in-office. The role requires occasional travel and evening meetings.
The Foundation offers a generous benefits package including fully paid health insurance and employer contributions to a 403(b) plan.
To apply: send a résumé and a cover letter to HR@MansfieldFdn.org, with the job title in the subject line. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The first round of reviews will take place in the week of November 2.
What to expect: If selected, a first screen with our recruiting coordinator, interviews with Foundation leadership, and possibly a short practical exercise. Ideally, we would like to bring on the new Senior Controller in January of 2027.
- Location: Washington, DC – primarily on-site, with flexibility for up to 2 remote workdays per week
- Reports to: The Vice President and works closely with the President and Board Treasurer and Investment Committee Chair
- Supervises: Finance Associate; oversees the Foundation’s outsourced accounting firm
- Status: Full-time, exempt
- Salary range: $110,000–$140,000 annually, depending on experience, salary will be reviewed after introductory period
- Benefits: Health insurance 100% employer paid, 403(b) retirement plan with 7.5% employer contribution, paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave
About the role
The Senior Controller leads the Foundation’s finance function and is its senior hands-on finance professional. This role owns the monthly close and financial reporting, leads the annual budget and audit, manages the Foundation’s endowment funds, and partners with program managers and the Tokyo office so leadership always has an accurate, timely picture of the Foundation’s finances.
This role requires substantial experience administering federally funded nonprofit programs, including Uniform Guidance compliance, grant reporting, and audit preparation.
We are looking for an experienced nonprofit accountant who is equally comfortable in the detail of the general ledger and in front of senior leadership, with a strong background in federal grants and program funding.
In this role, you will:
- Manage the month-end close with the Finance Associate and the outsourced accounting firm
- Produce monthly financial statements for the Vice President and President
- Work closely with program managers on program budgets, grant spending
- Lead the annual budget and the annual audit
- Manage and track the Foundation’s general and restricted endowment funds and their allocations
- Coordinate financial operations and reporting with the Foundation’s Tokyo office
Key responsibilities
Monthly close and financial reporting
- Own the month-end and year-end close: set the close calendar, direct the work of the Finance Associate and outsourced accounting firm, and review and approve journal entries, account reconciliations, and the general ledger
- Produce accurate monthly financial statements and a management reporting package for the Vice President and President, with budget-to-actual analysis and clear commentary on variances, trends, and risks
- Prepare quarterly and annual financial statements under nonprofit accounting standards (including tracking of net assets with and without donor restrictions
- Present financial results to the Vice President, President, and Board Finance Chair as requested
- Manage cash flow, banking relationships, and cash forecasting
Program partnership, grants, and compliance
- Work closely with program managers to build program budgets, review spending against grant and program budgets, and help them understand and act on their financial results
- Manage the financial side of federal grants and other program funding: cost allocation, allowable-cost review, drawdowns, and timely, accurate financial reports to funders
- Ensure compliance with Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200) and prepare for any Single Audit requirements
- Ensure the Foundation meets its legal and fiduciary obligations, including Form 990, charitable registrations, and 1099 filings
- Serve as the finance contact for the outsourced payroll and HR provider; review payroll reports and benefit invoices and ensure payroll costs are correctly allocated to programs and grants
Annual budget and audit
- Lead and manage the annual budget process: set the timeline, work with the Vice President, President, and program managers to build the organizational and program budgets, and present the budget for approval
- Monitor budget-to-actual results throughout the year, prepare forecasts, and flag variances early
- Lead and manage the annual financial audit (and Single Audit, if required): prepare schedules, serve as the auditors’ main contact, and implement recommendations
Endowment management
- Manage the Foundation’s endowment funds, including accounting for investment activity, donor restrictions, and board-designated funds
- Calculate and administer annual endowment allocations and draws in line with the spending policy and donor intent
- Serve as the finance liaison to investment managers and custodians and report on endowment performance to leadership and the Board
Tokyo office
- Work closely with the Tokyo office on budgeting, financial reporting, fund transfers, and intercompany transactions
- Ensure Tokyo activity is recorded accurately and consistently, including foreign currency transactions and consolidation into the Foundation’s financial statements
- Be available for occasional early-morning or evening calls across time zones
Leadership and supervision
- Supervise and mentor the Finance Associate: set annual work plans, delegate and review work, hold regular check-ins, and conduct annual evaluations
- Manage the relationship with the outsourced accounting firm, including scope, deliverables, quality, and fees
- Maintain strong internal controls and keep the Financial Policies and Procedures Manual current; explain policies clearly to staff and management
- Use good judgment to resolve or escalate questions and problems
Qualifications
Required
- Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field
- 10+ years of progressive accounting and finance experience, including substantial nonprofit accounting experience
- Hands-on experience managing federal grants and program funding, including Uniform Guidance compliance, cost allocation, and funder reporting
- Proven experience running a month-end close and producing monthly financial statements for senior leadership
- Experience managing an annual audit
- Experience supervising staff and managing an outsourced accounting firm or similar external provider
- Advanced skills in Sage Intacct (or a comparable nonprofit accounting system) and Excel; proficiency with Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace
- Fluent in English
Preferred
- Active CPA license
- Master’s degree in accounting, finance, or business
- Single Audit experience
- Experience at a foundation or similarly sized nonprofit
- Familiarity with HIPAA privacy requirements for employer health plans
- Familiarity with Japan, Japanese language proficiency is a plus
What we value
- Clear communication with staff, outsourced team members, program managers, and leadership
- Sound judgment and discretion with confidential information
- Comfort working both independently and as part of a team
Physical Requirements
- Able to sit for long periods of time (6+ hours)
- Able to view computer screen for long periods of time (6+ hours)
- Able to perform repetitive wrist and finger motions (typing/using keyboard and mouse for 6+ hours)
- Able to see, hear, and speak
Work environment
This position is based in the Foundation’s Washington, DC office. The standard schedule is Monday through Friday. Occasional evening, early-morning, or weekend work (including calls with the Tokyo office) or travel for Foundation programs may be required. Exempt staff earn compensatory time off for required weekend or holiday program work, per Foundation policy.