{"id":3779836,"url":"https://alion.io/job/first-book-controller-accounting-financial-operations-2","title":"Controller, Accounting, & Financial Operations","company":{"id":1767026,"name":"First Book","domain":"firstbook.org","url":"https://alion.io/company/firstbook","size_band":null,"is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"BambooHR","truth_index":null},"role":"Finance","role_family":"Finance","seniority":"staff","employment_type":"full_time","work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"explicit","locations":["Washington, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":{"min":125000,"max":null,"currency":"USD","period":"year","gross":null,"usd_annual":125000},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":10,"visa_sponsorship":true,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"Microsoft Excel","optional":false}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-11-04T00:00:00Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-11-04","last_verified_at":"2026-11-06T06:18:58Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":2,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":2},"description":"CONTROLLER, ACCOUNTING & FINANCIAL OPERATIONS\nFirst Book | Washington, DC (Hybrid)\nABOUT FIRST BOOK\nFirst 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.\nABOUT THE ROLE\nThe 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.\nReporting 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.\nWHAT YOU’LL OWN\nAccounting & Financial Reporting\nLead and oversee all accounting operations, including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash management, reconciliations, fixed assets, inventory, revenue recognition, and other accounting activities.\nOwn the monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes, establishing appropriate timelines, review procedures, reconciliations, and controls to ensure accurate and timely financial reporting.\nOversee preparation of monthly financial statements, management reporting, financial analysis, and Board-level financial reporting.\nEnsure financial reporting complies with U.S. GAAP and applicable nonprofit accounting and reporting requirements.\nDevelop and maintain accounting policies, procedures, and documentation that support consistent and scalable financial operations.\nEnsure appropriate accounting treatment and financial reporting for First Book’s programs, revenue streams, grants, contributions, inventory, and other significant transactions.\nFinancial Planning, Analysis & Business Partnership\nPartner with Finance leadership and business/program leaders to develop budgets, forecasts, financial models, and operating plans.\nManage and continuously improve the financial forecasting process, including cash flow, revenue, expenses, working capital, and other key financial drivers.\nDevelop and maintain meaningful financial and operating metrics that enable leadership to understand performance, identify trends, and make informed decisions.\nLead financial analysis of variances to budget and forecast and translate financial results into actionable insights for management.\nPartner with operational leaders to evaluate cost structures, pricing, margins, resource allocation, and the financial implications of new programs, partnerships, and revenue opportunities.\nProvide management with timely, accurate, and actionable financial information to support strategic and operational decision-making.\nInternal Controls, Compliance & Risk Management\nDesign, implement, and continuously strengthen internal controls and financial processes to safeguard organizational assets and ensure the integrity of financial information.\nEstablish appropriate segregation of duties, approval processes, reconciliations, and financial controls.\nMonitor compliance with applicable financial, tax, regulatory, and contractual requirements.\nIdentify financial and operational risks and recommend appropriate mitigation strategies.\nAudit & Tax\nLead the annual financial statement audit, serving as the primary internal point of coordination with external auditors.\nEnsure timely preparation of audit schedules, supporting documentation, and responses to auditor requests.\nPartner with external accounting and tax advisors to oversee annual tax filings and other required financial and regulatory reporting.\nMonitor audit findings and ensure timely implementation of agreed-upon remediation activities.\nSystems, Data & Process Improvement\nOversee the selection, implementation, integration, and ongoing maintenance of accounting and financial systems.\nEnsure the accuracy, integrity, and appropriate accessibility of financial data across systems.\nIdentify opportunities to automate, streamline, and improve accounting and financial processes.\nDevelop scalable financial processes and systems that support organizational growth.\nCash, Banking & Treasury\nOversee cash management, banking relationships, cash forecasting, and liquidity planning.\nEstablish appropriate controls and processes for cash receipts, disbursements, bank reconciliations, and account management.\nMonitor working capital and liquidity to support sustainable operations.\nLeadership & Team Management\nLead, supervise, and develop the accounting team, establishing clear expectations, priorities, performance standards, and professional development goals.\nManage workflow and resource allocation across the accounting function to ensure timely and high-quality deliverables.\nFoster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, collaboration, and financial stewardship.\nServe as a trusted financial resource to colleagues across the organization and communicate complex financial concepts clearly to non-financial stakeholders.\nAdditional Responsibilities\nOther duties as assigned.\nEDUCATION\nBachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required.\nActive Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license issued by a U.S. state or jurisdiction, in good standing, required.\nMaster’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) or Accounting (MAcc) preferred.\nSKILLS & EXPERIENCE\nMinimum 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.\nDemonstrated expertise in U.S. GAAP and nonprofit accounting, including contributions, grants, restricted funds, and revenue recognition.\nProven experience owning the financial close, leading annual audits, and designing and maintaining internal controls.\nExperience developing budgets, forecasts, and financial models, including during a period of organizational growth.\nExceptional financial analysis skills, including variance, margin, working capital, and cash flow analysis.\nExperience implementing or optimizing accounting systems and automating financial processes.\nDemonstrated experience supervising and developing accounting staff.\nAbility to communicate financial results and recommendations clearly to non-financial stakeholders, executive leadership, and the Board.\nExperience with inventory accounting or earned-revenue/e-commerce business lines preferred.\nAdvanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel; proficiency with Word and PowerPoint.\nSKILLS & EXPERIENCE\nMinimum 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.\nDemonstrated expertise in U.S. GAAP and nonprofit accounting, including contributions, grants, restricted funds, and revenue recognition.\nProven experience owning the financial close, leading annual audits, and designing and maintaining internal controls.\nExperience developing budgets, forecasts, and financial models, including during a period of organizational growth.\nExceptional financial analysis skills, including variance, margin, working capital, and cash flow analysis.\nExperience implementing or optimizing accounting systems and automating financial processes.\nDemonstrated experience supervising and developing accounting staff.\nAbility to communicate financial results and recommendations clearly to non-financial stakeholders, executive leadership, and the Board.\nExperience with inventory accounting or earned-revenue/e-commerce business lines preferred.\nAdvanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel; proficiency with Word and PowerPoint.\nCOMPENSATION & BENEFITS:\nSalary Range: $125,000 (non-negotiable).\nAll full-time employees are eligible for the following:\nMedical and dental insurance coverage\nLife insurance and Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) coverage\nPaid vacation and sick leave\n12 paid holidays annually\n401(k) retirement plan with employer matching contributions\nEmployer-provided parking stipend (Washington, DC)\nTO APPLY\nSubmit a resume and a cover letter detailing your interest in this position.\nOnly applications submitted through First Book’s approved platform will be reviewed.First Book does not accept unsolicited recruiter submissions and does not pay fees for resumes submitted outside of a formal written agreement.\n\nEQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY\nFirst Book is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, personal appearance, family responsibilities, genetic information, matriculation, political affiliation, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, District of Columbia, or local law.\nACCOMMODATIONS\nFirst Book is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and to individuals with sincerely held religious beliefs, in accordance with applicable law. Applicants requiring accommodations during the application or interview process should submit a written request to First Book's Human Resources department.\nWORK PRESENCE & EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS\nThis is a hybrid position requiring regular in-office presence at First Book’s Washington, DC office on designated days to support internal collaboration and partnership activities.\nRelocation assistance is not provided.\nEMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION, SPONSORSHIP, AND ACCURACY OF ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION\nEmployment Authorization and Sponsorship Statement\nApplicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of application and must maintain valid work authorization throughout their employment.\nFirst Book does not sponsor employment-based visas or participate in immigration programs that require employer-specific obligations, such as training plans, reporting requirements, or compliance filings.\nMisrepresentation of Employment Eligibility\nFalsification, omission, or misrepresentation of any information related to employment eligibility, work authorization status, or visa classification will disqualify a candidate from further consideration. If such misrepresentation is discovered after an offer has been extended, First Book reserves the right to withdraw the offer. If discovered after employment begins, it may result in immediate termination.\nCandidates are required to provide truthful, accurate, and complete information regarding their work authorization status at the time of application and throughout the hiring process. Any change in work authorization status must be reported to First Book immediately.\nWORK PRESENCE & EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS\nThis position is structured as a hybrid role and requires regular in-office presence at First Book's Washington, DC office on designated days to support collaboration and partnership activities.\nReasonable accommodation will be considered in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.\nRelocation assistance is not provided.","description_format":"text","description_chars":11733,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":10,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":{"level":"bachelor","optional":false},"security_clearance":false,"languages":[]},"benefits":["Dental insurance","Insurance coverage","Life insurance","Professional development","Relocation assistance","Retirement plans"],"hiring_locations":[{"name":"United States","iso":"US","kind":"country"}],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":true,"industries":["Commerce","Publishing","Nonprofits & Foundations"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-11-05T00:29:55Z"}],"visa":[],"liveness":{"score":86,"band":"hot","label":"Hiring now","p_open":1,"p_active":0.86,"p_room":1,"age_days":2,"expected_fill_days":32,"reasons":["conf:4","win:early"],"computed_at":"2026-11-06T05:58:05Z"},"pay":{"stated_usd_annual":125000,"is_top_pay":false},"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/first-book-controller-accounting-financial-operations-2","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/first-book-controller-accounting-financial-operations-2.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-11-06T08:51:55Z","cache_seconds":300,"methodology":"https://alion.io/methodology","terms":"https://alion.io/terms","contact":"https://alion.io/contact","api":"https://alion.io/developers","about":"Alion is a live layer of people, companies and AI agents: who they are, whether they are real and active right now, what they do and how to work with them, readable by people and by agents and paid per call.","catalog":"https://alion.io/catalog.json","usage":{"tier":"crawler_verified","counted_by":"address","units_charged":1,"used_today":15901,"day_limit":null,"remaining_today":null,"minute_limit":300,"resets_at":"2026-11-07T00:00:00Z"}},"offers":[{"id":"company.slices","title":"One company in depth, by slice","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002,"plus_per_slice":{"credits":0.05,"usd":0.005}},"unit":"per company, plus each slice with data","note":"the employer in depth","call":{"mcp_tool":"get_company","arguments":{"id":1767026},"rest":"https://alion.io/mcp/rest/get_company?id=1767026"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.slices&for=job%2Ffirst-book-controller-accounting-financial-operations-2"},{"id":"market.stats","title":"A market slice: pay, demand and time to fill","status":"live","price":{"credits":1,"usd":0.1},"unit":"per slice","note":"pay, demand and time to fill for this role and place","call":{"mcp_tool":"market_stats"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=market.stats&for=job%2Ffirst-book-controller-accounting-financial-operations-2"},{"id":"job.search","title":"Open jobs by role, technology, place, pay and visa","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.02,"usd":0.002},"unit":"per posting in a list","note":"similar open postings","call":{"mcp_tool":"search_jobs"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=job.search&for=job%2Ffirst-book-controller-accounting-financial-operations-2"},{"id":"company.verify","title":"Is this company real and active right now","status":"pilot","price":null,"unit":"per company","request":{"url":"https://alion.io/catalog/request","method":"POST","body":"{\"offer\": \"company.verify\", \"for\": \"job/first-book-controller-accounting-financial-operations-2\", \"note\": \"what you need it for\"}"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.verify&for=job%2Ffirst-book-controller-accounting-financial-operations-2"}],"agent":{"mcp":"https://alion.io/mcp/jobs","mcp_open":"https://alion.io/mcp/open","next":[{"tool":"get_job","arguments":{"id":3779836}},{"tool":"search_jobs","arguments":{"company":"firstbook.org","detail":"compact"}},{"tool":"match_people","arguments":{"job_id":3779836},"note":"people open to offers who fit this vacancy"}],"note":"The same data through MCP tools: https://alion.io/mcp/open needs no sign-in (compact searches, postings, people); https://alion.io/mcp with an Alion account has everything. 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