Controller

About the Humane Rescue Alliance (HRA)

For more than 150 years, the Humane Rescue Alliance has championed the protection of animals, support for people, and service to the community. With campuses in the District of Columbia and New Jersey, along with the nation’s leading pet transport initiative, it stands as the largest and most comprehensive animal services provider in the region. Each year, HRA transforms the lives of tens of thousands of animals through rescue and adoption, humane protection, access to medical care, innovative community programs, and legislative leadership. Its broad reach and deep expertise enable HRA to reimagine traditional sheltering and address the most complex challenges facing animals and the people who love them.  

Job Summary

The Controller is a key management position within the Humane Rescue Alliance’s (HRA) Finance and Accounting team, responsible for ensuring the integrity, accuracy, and timeliness of the organization's daily financial operations. Reporting directly to the Director of Finance, the Controller manages the accounting operations of the Finance department, maintains strong internal controls, and enforces compliance with nonprofit GAAP standards. This role provides operational supervision and leadership to the Finance staff, driving team performance and accurate execution. This position works collaboratively across departments in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.

The Role: What You’ll Do

Staff Management & Accounting Administration

• Directly supervise and foster the professional growth of the Staff Accountant, Payroll Accountant, and Accounting Clerk, providing clear daily direction and ensuring team goals are met. 
• Manage and optimize internal accounting workflows and transactional processes while identifying opportunities to improve efficiency and strengthen internal processes.
• Ensure daily operational excellence across all accounting functions while maintaining adherence to established policies, procedures, and internal controls. 
• Monitor and track accounting department performance metrics, including transactional accuracy, processing timelines, and month-end close deadlines. 
• Support the Director of Finance during the annual budgeting process by preparing templates, compiling historical financial data, and analyzing trends.

Accounting Operations & Oversight

General Ledger & Month-End Close

• Lead the monthly and fiscal year-end close processes to ensure accurate financial reporting and timely completion of all reporting requirements. 
• Review and approve all journal entries, adjustments, bank reconciliations, and account reconciliations prepared by the Staff Accountant. 
• Prepare monthly revenue reports, account analyses, and budget-to-actual variance schedules for the Director of Finance's review. 

Payroll & Benefits Oversight

• Oversee the bi-weekly payroll process executed by the Payroll Accountant, ensuring complete accuracy, regulatory compliance, and proper system verification. 
• Review and verify appropriate financial allocations and distributions for employee retirement plan accounts and benefits. 

Accounts Payable & Receivable Oversight

• Oversee the accounts payable infrastructure (Bill.com), ensuring proper workflows, appropriate coding, and internal control compliance for vendor payments managed by the Accounting Clerk. 
• Oversee accounts receivable tracking and donation recording executed by the Staff Accountant to ensure accurate posting in the general ledger. 
• Review accounts receivable aging reports, flag collectability concerns for discussion with the Director of Finance, and support follow-up efforts related to outstanding receivables as assigned.
• Act as the primary point of escalation for billing discrepancies, policy issues, or collection concerns flagged by accounting staff. 

Annual Audit & Compliance

• Manage the daily operational preparation for the annual fiscal audit, serving as a point of contact for external auditors during fieldwork. 
• Coordinate and review the preparation of year-end workpapers, schedules, and documentation before final presentation to the Director of Finance. 
• Assist the completion of annual IRS Forms 1099 and compile financial documentation to support state fundraising registrations and compliance filings. 
• Monitor the tracking of fixed asset additions, disposals, depreciation schedules, and inventory adjustments. 

Additional Responsibilities

• Provide financial data and routine operational support to other departments as requested. 
• Represent the Finance department and Humane Rescue Alliance with professionalism, courtesy, and a collaborative mindset. 
• Perform other operational accounting duties as assigned by the Director of Finance.

Physical Requirements & Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the primary functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Regularly required to sit at a computer workstation and operate electronic equipment for extended periods. 
• Comfortable working in proximity to cats, dogs, small animals, reptiles, fish, and wildlife. 
• May be exposed to deceased, fractious, or aggressive animals; allergens; hostile individuals; zoonotic diseases; unpleasant odors or sounds.

About You: Skills & Qualifications 

• Strong working knowledge of nonprofit GAAP standards, internal control frameworks, and hands-on experience coordinating audit preparations. 
• Proficiency with cloud-based accounting ecosystems (e.g., Sage Intacct, Bill.com) and advanced Microsoft Excel skills. 
• Proven capability to manage staff, establish performance expectations, delegate tasks effectively, and maintain an organized team environment under tight deadlines. 
• Strong attention to detail, flexibility, and excellent organizational skills. 
• Demonstrated ability to maintain strict confidentiality of sensitive financial and personnel information. 
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain financial processes clearly to non-finance staff. 
• Knowledge of, or ability to quickly learn, animal shelter procedures and protocols. 
• Passion for Humane Rescue Alliance’s mission and comfort working professionally within an animal-centered environment. 
• Ability to manage the emotional aspects of working in an animal shelter setting in a professional and composed manner.

Qualifications – Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field. 
• 5-7 years of progressive accounting experience, with at least 2 years in a direct supervisory or team management role, preferably within a nonprofit organization.
• Prior experience managing transactional accounting operations across a multi-site setup. 
• CPA or progress toward CPA (preferred but not required).
• Interest in continued professional growth within nonprofit finance and accounting.

Benefits Overview: Humane Rescue Alliance (HRA)

At the Humane Rescue Alliance (HRA), we are committed to supporting the well-being of our employees so they can continue making a meaningful impact for animals and the community. We offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package designed to support your health, financial security, and work-life balance.

Benefits include:

• $0-Cost Medical Plan Option: Access to a no-cost employee-only medical plan through CareFirst, making healthcare more accessible and affordable  
• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance: Multiple plan options available to meet individual and family needs  
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA): Pre-tax options to help manage healthcare and dependent care expenses 
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with Employer Support: Administered through Empower, with tools and resources to help you plan for your future  
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO): Including vacation, sick leave, and holidays to support rest and work-life balance 
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential resources to support mental health, wellness, and life challenges  
• Commuter Benefits (WMATA SmartBenefits): Pre-tax transit benefits for metro, bus, and eligible commuting expenses  
• Professional Development & Training Opportunities: Including Fear Free Certification and ongoing learning initiatives to support career growth  
• Flexible Work Environment (Role-Dependent): Opportunities for hybrid or flexible scheduling based on position and operational needs  
• Employee Discounts & Perks: Discounts on pet adoptions, veterinary products, and partner offerings  

Multilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. A salary premium may be offered for multilingual candidates who demonstrate proficiency in written and oral testing. 

 HRA is committed to being an Equal Opportunity Employer, and does not discriminate because of race, color, creed, gender, religion, national origin, disability, age, pregnancy, genetic predisposition or carrier status, marital status, citizenship status, or sexual orientation. Accommodations will be provided to qualified individuals requiring them.