Fractional Controller for Nonprofit Company

Fractional Controller

• Job Title: Fractional Controller
• Status: Part-Time, Interim / Fractional (15–20 hours/week; 12-month contract)
• Location: Light Hybrid (Remote with in-person presence required 1x per week or every other week in Palo Alto / Redwood City, CA)
• Reports To: CEO
• Direct Reports: Staff Accountant, Administrator

Our Client's Mission and Vision

Our mission is to provide animals with loving care and lasting homes, to partner with communities striving to do the same, and to advance our no-kill legacy. Our vision is for animals to live in welcoming communities where they and their human companions are treated with care and compassion.

Position Summary

The Fractional Controller is an interim leadership role responsible for stewarding the financial resources of our organization in support of its mission. This is a 15–20 hour per week contract position projected for a minimum of 12 months.

This role focuses primarily on financial leadership, accounting, and strategic forecasting. While many day-to-day administrative and facility functions have been removed or reduced for this fractional scope, the role retains high-level oversight of these areas. The Fractional Controller will directly manage a Staff Accountant and an Administrator who will handle the execution of day-to-day accounting, administrative, and facilities tasks.

Key Responsibilities

Finance & Accounting Leadership

• Financial Oversight: Serve as the primary financial leader for the organization, ensuring long-term financial sustainability and strong internal controls.
• Team Management: Manage and mentor the Staff Accountant and Administrator, delegating day-to-day transactional accounting and administrative functions effectively.
• Core Accounting: Oversee general ledger functions, accounts payable/receivable, payroll, cash management, and month-end/year-end close processes.
• Budgeting & Forecasting: Prepare and monitor the annual operating and capital budgets. Develop financial forecasts, cash flow projections, and multi-year financial plans.
• Compliance & Fund Accounting: Ensure compliance with nonprofit accounting standards (U.S. GAAP), donor restrictions, grant requirements, and applicable regulations. Track restricted funds and endowments.
• Audit & Reporting: Coordinate the annual independent audit and IRS Form 990 preparation. Provide clear, timely financial reports and variance analysis to the CEO and the Board of Directors.

Operational & IT Oversight (Streamlined)

• Systems & Systems Integration: Oversee the integration of financial and HR systems (e.g., Rippling integration with QuickBooks).
• IT & Risk Management: Provide high-level oversight of the organization's IT systems, vendors, and liability insurances, utilizing the administrative team for support.

Facilities & Admin Management (Reduced Scope)

• Light Facilities Oversight: Maintain high-level oversight of facilities budgets, leases, and safety compliance, while leveraging the Administrator to manage day-to-day facility operations, maintenance, and space planning.

Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Finance or Accounting required.
• Experience: Proven progressive experience in finance and accounting, including previous leadership experience as a Controller or Director-level financial professional.
• Nonprofit Expertise: Prior experience in a nonprofit organization is required, including deep familiarity with fund accounting, restricted funds, and grant compliance.
• Team Leadership: Demonstrated experience managing and developing accounting and/or administrative staff.
• Systems: Proficiency with QuickBooks and familiarity with modern HRIS/Payroll systems (Rippling knowledge is a significant plus).

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong knowledge of nonprofit accounting principles and financial management best practices.
• Ability to clearly communicate complex financial information to non-financial staff and board members.
• Excellent leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• High level of integrity, sound judgment, and a commitment to the organization's mission.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.