Sr. Controller in WASHINGTON, District of Columbia at Housing Up

Housing Up builds thriving communities in Washington, DC by developing affordable housing and offering comprehensive support services to homeless and low-income families. In addition to being a nonprofit affordable housing developer, we provide permanent supportive housing, rapid re-housing and transitional housing. We believe that people who have safe, affordable housing and genuine opportunities are empowered to transform their lives.

Over the past 33 years, our organization has grown from serving 14 families in one building in Northwest DC to serving more than 900 families throughout the city. Housing Up is now one of the city’s largest homeless services providers and is a critical partner in the District’s plan to end family homelessness. Housing Up is a Housing First organization and is proud to be a critical partner in Mayor Muriel Bowser’s plan to make homelessness “rare, brief, and nonrecurring”.

Position Summary

The Sr. Controller serves as the organization’s senior accounting and financial compliance leader and is responsible for ensuring the integrity of all financial operations, accounting functions, financial reporting, audit management, and regulatory compliance activities. Working closely with executive leadership and an external fractional CFO/finance consultant, the Controller leads the organization’s day-to-day finance operations while supporting strategic financial management, budgeting efforts, and long-term fiscal sustainability.

This is a hands-on accounting leadership role that requires active involvement in daily accounting operations, financial review, compliance oversight, account reconciliations, audit preparation, and monthly close processes. The Controller oversees accounting operations within a complex nonprofit environment that includes government grants, property management accounting, multiple funding streams, affiliated entities, and annual Single Audit requirements. Additionally, the Controller supervises the finance team, which currently consists of a Staff Accountant and a Grants Manager responsible for government invoicing and reimbursement activities.

Essential Functions

Accounting & Financial Operations

Lead all day-to-day accounting operations, including general ledger, cash management, fixed assets, and month-end/year-end close.

Maintain alignment of multi-entity accounting and consolidation.

Ensure timely and accurate monthly financial statements and supporting schedules.

Maintain accounting records in accordance with GAAP and nonprofit accounting standards.

Review or create journal entries, reconciliations, and account analyses.

Oversee maintenance and optimization of accounting processes and internal controls.

Manage and maintain the organization’s QuickBooks Desktop accounting environment.

Financial Reporting & Board Support

Prepare monthly financial reporting packages for executive leadership and the Board/Finance Committee.

Support organizational leadership with data for financial modeling and analysis.

Partner with the fractional CFO/finance consultant on strategic financial planning and budgeting activities.

Grant and Contract Compliance

Oversee financial compliance for approximately 10 active government grants and contracts.

Supervise grants accounting, reimbursement requests, and grant-related reporting processes.

Work closely with the Grants Manager to ensure timely and accurate government invoices and reimbursement submissions.

Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local grant regulations and funding requirements

Maintain cost allocation methodologies and supporting documentation.

Assist with grant budgeting and financial reporting for funders and program leadership.

Audit, Compliance & Internal Controls

Lead the annual financial statement audit and federal Single Audit process.

Serve as primary liaison with external auditors and regulatory agencies.

Coordinate preparation of audit schedules, workpapers, and supporting documentation.

Support preparation of IRS Form 990 and other required filings.

Ensure compliance with nonprofit financial reporting requirements and regulatory standards.

Develop and maintain strong internal controls, accounting policies, and financial procedures.

Property Management & Multi-Entity Accounting

Oversee accounting related to property management operations and affiliated entities.

Support consolidated financial reporting and intercompany reconciliations.

Monitor restricted funds, reserves, and program-specific financial requirements.

Ensure accurate tracking and reporting of housing-related financial activity.

Budgeting & Financial Planning

Support development and monitoring of annual organizational and program budgets.

Assist leadership with data for forecasting and cash flow planning.

Monitor financial performance against budget and provide variance analysis.

Collaborate with department leaders to support sound fiscal management practices.

Staff Supervision & Leadership

Supervise and mentor accounting staff.

Establish priorities, workflows, and monthly close timelines.

Promote accountability, professional development, and continuous improvement within the finance team.

Foster a collaborative and service-oriented finance function; and

Other duties as required.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or related field required.

Minimum 7–10 years of progressive accounting experience required.

Significant nonprofit accounting experience required.

Experience managing federal and state grants/contracts and reimbursement funding.

Experience leading annual audits and Single Audits.

Experience supervising accounting staff.

Experience with property management accounting and/or affordable housing operations preferred.

Experience with multi-entity accounting and consolidated financial reporting.

Experience using QuickBooks Desktop required (MIP experience also preferred).

Preferred Qualifications

The ideal candidate is highly detail-oriented and hands-on.

CPA preferred.

Experienced in nonprofit accounting and compliance.

Comfortable operating in a complex, mission-driven environment.

Capable of managing audits and government funding requirements; and

Able to balance strong technical accounting skills while collaborating and communicating effectively across the organization.

Work Environment/Physical Effort

Hybrid work environment.

Salary and Benefits

Salary $160,000-$180,000 (Commensurate with qualifications and experience).

Housing Up offers a competitive benefits package including health insurance, retirement plan with company match, paid vacation and sick leave, commuter benefits, summer Fridays, tuition assistance, new hire/referral bonuses, professional development budgets, and a work environment aimed at a healthy work-life balance.

Housing Up is an equal opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants equally without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability status.