Controller

Our organization

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) is an independent nonprofit that puts rigorous, independent science into action, developing solutions and advocating for a healthy, safe, and just future. We envision a peaceful, healthy, and just world where science serves people and the planet by guiding policy decisions, reducing risks, and improving lives.

For over five decades, we have been working as scientists, engineers, economists, advocates, and everyday people to create and advocate for innovative, practical solutions to some of our planet’s most pressing problems—from combating global warming and developing sustainable ways to feed, power, and transport ourselves, to fighting disinformation, advancing racial equity, and reducing the threat of nuclear war. Values informing our work include:

• Science in the service of people and the planet.

• Justice and Equity for people of all races and incomes—now, and for future generations.
• Courage to take principled, science-based stands in the public arena.
• Integrity to always examine evidence critically, openly, and honestly.
• Democracy to promote a voice for all in government decisions.
• Action inspiring and mobilizing people to build a healthier, safer, and more just world.

UCS’s Executive Department

The Controller is responsible for the overall effective functioning of the Finance team, managing the team to ensure effective accounting, budgeting, reporting, compliance, cash planning, management, payroll, and benefits. Responsible for annual audit and relationship with the audit firm, keeping systems updated and accurate. Works with the finance team and the Chief Administrative and Financial Officer to ensure that the organization’s finances are managed strategically and are responsive to programmatic needs as they evolve. Ensures that forecasting is dependable, will be responsible for fraud prevention and ensuring compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. Develops and documents accounting policies & procedures. Responsible for accurate and timely required reporting to internal stakeholders and external entities. Works with Chief Administrative and Financial Officer to develop the annual budgets for the different programs and departments.

The Position

The essential job duties/responsibilities of the position are included in but not limited to the information listed below.

UCS is committed to building an inclusive workplace culture where talented people of widely diverse backgrounds can thrive. We believe the inclusion of diverse perspectives will improve our work and produce better societal and environmental outcomes for all, including historically disenfranchised communities. All staff participate in this commitment whether internally, in building a welcoming workplace culture and /or externally, in ensuring inclusive engagement with supporters, media, vendors, allies and others.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for keeping overall financial systems updated and functional.
• Manages all accounting to ensure accurate and useful recordkeeping is maintained, payroll and other payables are timely and accurate, and transaction records are useful for internal and external reporting.
• Ensures that general ledger is designed and maintained so that financial reports are accurate and timely, reconcile all cash and other balance sheet accounts monthly to ensure accuracy of accounting records and to determine that records of cash activity are accurate.
• Oversees the systems for maintaining electronic and paper records for accounting cycle and ensures their safety, confidentiality (where appropriate), and integrity.
• Oversee the design and improvement of financial reports for all relevant stakeholders.
• Oversee budget development.
• Provide leadership and management to the finance staff, provide opportunities for team and individual development.
• In partnership with Chief Administrative and Financial Officer, set vision and goals for the finance unit.
• Ensure all roles can be backed up effectively in case of planned or unplanned absence.
• Improve operations of the Finance Unit based on feedback, industry best practices, and opportunities for efficiencies.
• Oversee the restricted fund tracking systems that provide accurate financial information.
• Make recommendations for improvements in grants policies and procedures and reconcile restricted fund information with budgetary needs.
• Work with finance team and Chief Administrative and Financial Officer to develop financial strategy for the organization and build forecasting with helps inform the strategy.
• Develop, track, and revise operating and capital budgets and integrate budgeting into other aspects of the accounting system in ways that increase the usefulness and timeliness of financial information.
• Responsible for cash management: operating cash and the transfer of cash to and from board reserve investment accounts.
• Manage cash accounts and banking relationships to meet the organization’s needs while maximizing operating investment income.
• Prepares analyses of operating vs. restricted cash to ensure.
• Prepares regular cash flow reports, develops, and implements cash management tracking and management policies.
• Coordinates with the Chief Administration and Financial Officer in managing the Board reserve and line of credit for cash management.
• Manage risks for the organization.
• Responsible for overall insurance program, internal controls, and fraud prevention, including cybersecurity of systems.
• Ensures that all state and other charity registrations are up to date.
• Work to address organization-wide issues relating to financial and administrative issues/procedures, and to ensure that good financial procedures and good business practices are followed throughout the organization.
• Supervise finance team. Assigns and checks work, oversees workload, and sets schedules/priorities. Oversees quality and accuracy of work and ensures UCS accounting policies/procedures are followed.
• Responsible for the annual audit and any other required audits; serve as the primary contact with auditors.
• Support the Chief Administrative and Financial Officer in coordinating with the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.
• Works with the auditors to ensure that changes in our new reporting requirements are adopted by the Organization, and to see that internal control issues are addressed.
• Oversee the preparation of the financial statements, the 990, the annual charitable state registrations and other external reporting for accuracy and timeliness.
• To ensure low cost and high-quality audit services, conducts requests for proposals for audit services as requested by the Audit Committee
• Manage banking relationships, board reserve investments, and oversee purchasing and contracting for the organization.
• Ensure proper policies and procedures regarding planned giving, including the custody and reporting of planned gifts, tax reporting and internal policies are in place.
• Develops and maintains contracting policies and procedures providing up-to-date boilerplate language for use by staff who are engaging consultants and monitors consultant contracts/invoices to ensure terms and contract limits are adhered to.
• Ensures internal controls on funds transfers and contract approvals are observed.

UCS is committed to building an inclusive workplace culture where talented people of widely diverse backgrounds can thrive. We believe the inclusion of diverse perspectives will improve our work and produce better societal and environmental outcomes for all, including historically disenfranchised communities. All staff participate in this commitment whether internally, in building a welcoming workplace culture and /or externally, in ensuring inclusive engagement with supporters, media, vendors, allies and others.