The Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) is hiring a Controller in our Charlottesville,  VA Headquarters office. The Controller is an ambitious, detail-oriented, and self-motivated individual who will report to and partner with the Director of Finance and Administration, as part of the five-person Finance Department of SELC. This is an excellent opportunity to join a highly successful, nationally recognized organization that is effectively addressing some of the most pressing and challenging environmental issues throughout the South and the nation. 

The Controller will support the Director of Finance & Administration to lead the organization’s financial activities, ensuring SELC has accurate and timely financial information in compliance with best practices. They will collaborate with operations departments and state offices across the region and directly supervise two finance team members. This role also serves as the staff liaison to the SELC Board of Trustees Audit Committee. The Controller will lead/coordinate all financial compliance and reporting and provide quick, clear communication and decisiveness using sound judgement to an array of situations in a fast-paced, deadline driven, matrixed environment.   

SELC currently has a hybrid work model that offers employees the flexibility to work at home up to two days a week. This is a full-time, exempt position.  Employment is contingent on successful completion of a background check and employment credit check. SELC will provide relocation reimbursement for those relocating for a SELC position.          

Primary Responsibilities: 

SELC’s new financial Controller will have duties in five core areas: 

Accounting Department and Policy Management  

• Reviews, recommends, and communicates effective accounting and finance policies, in collaboration with the Director of Finance & Administration as needed.   
• Serves as a thought partner to the Director of Finance and Administration on many issues.   
• Is hands-on and contributes at all levels including fiscal controls, and internal and external reporting.   
• Maintains an effective Standard Operating Procedures guide for Finance department.  
• Drafts quarterly financials for review.   
• Monitors and analyzes expenses to identify opportunities for efficiency.   
• Oversees accounting systems and collaborates with HRIS manager.  

Supervise Accounting Manager and Accounts Payable Coordinator  

• Monitors/helps with productivity and provide constructive feedback, training, and written annual evaluations.   
• Ensures the SELC monthly closing process is completed accurately, and financial statements prepared in a timely manner.   
• Organizes workflow, ensuring an understanding of their duties or delegated tasks and deadlines.  

Bank Account Management 

• Monitors cash needs and bank account balances.    
• Reconciles monthly bank statements.  
• Maintains bank account records and adds/deletes check signers.  
• Maintains relationships and communicates with banks.  
• Assists with semi-monthly payroll processing.  

Annual Audit and IRS Form 990 Submission  

• Leads the preparation for and execution of the annual financial audit, in concert with external auditors and accounting team, and Form 990 preparation and submission.   
• Calculates annual statement of functional expenses and restricted assets.   
• Serves as Staff Liaison for Board of Trustees Audit Committee.  

Annual Budget Development  

• Manages organizational budget development with Director of Finance & Administration and Accounting Manager.  
• Reviews quarterly reporting to departments, offices, and program areas. 

Required Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field, CPA, or commensurate experience (active CPA license not required).  
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive accounting experience, including substantial experience with statement production and compliance.  

• Knowledge of GAAP and financial reporting regulations.  
• Minimum of 3 years of direct staff supervisory experience.  
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office. Intermediate/Advanced Excel skills required.  
• Confident self-starter; ability to prioritize, and effectively manage multiple deadlines concurrent and projects.  
• Expertise in handling sensitive information in a discrete, confidential, and appropriate manner. 
• Ability to troubleshoot, design, implement, and manage systems that contribute to an efficient working environment.  
• Meticulous attention to detail with excellent analytical, problem-solving, verbal, and written communication skills. 
• Ability to work effectively with board committees, senior/executive staff, and peers. 
• High level of integrity and professional maturity with ability to exercise discretion and independent judgment. 
• A genuine interest in and commitment to helping SELC create and foster a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. You engage in ongoing personal learning and are eager to contribute to our organizational efforts in this area. 

Desired Qualifications: 

• Nonprofit accounting experience, including experience in nonprofit revenue recognition.  
• Strong leadership skills and the ability to develop and maintain sustainable working relationships and partnerships with staff, clients, funders, and vendors.  
• Strong collaboration skills, including experience facilitating effective collaboration between team members.  
• Performance management skills, including experience maintaining accountability with direct reports to ensure performance goals are met while supporting team members to meet personal, department, and organizational goals.  

About SELC: 

The Southern Environmental Law Center is one of the nation’s most powerful defenders of the environment, rooted in the South. With a long track record, SELC takes on the toughest environmental challenges in court, in government, and in our communities to protect our region’s air, water, climate, wildlife, lands, and people. Nonprofit and nonpartisan, the organization has a staff of over 200, including more than 130 policy and legal experts, and is headquartered in Charlottesville, VA, with offices in Asheville, Atlanta, Birmingham, Chapel Hill, Charleston, Nashville, Richmond, and Washington, DC. 

At our core, we are place-based, rooted in our region, and connected with the communities and clients we serve. We believe in an equitable and inclusive workplace that reflects the rich racial and cultural diversity of our region and allows diverse perspectives to come to the forefront. We approach our work with the highest level of integrity, holding ourselves to high standards with an emphasis on honesty, accountability, and thoughtfulness. We value collaboration and camaraderie, realizing we are strongest when we work together and knowing that everyone has a critical role to play. We strive for impact through a strategic, bold, pragmatic, and ambitious outlook that is dedicated to achieving powerful results. We believe in these values and in the power of SELC. We hope you consider joining us. Learn more at https://www.southernenvironment.org/. 

Compensation & Benefits:  

SELC offers salaries competitive with other leading environmental nonprofits nationally and provides an excellent benefits package. The starting salary range for this position is $100,000-$120,000, commensurate with experience. For more details about our benefits package, please visit our Careers page. 

SELC is a PSLF (Public Service Loan Forgiveness) eligible employer.   

SELC will provide relocation reimbursement for those relocating for a SELC position, up to a specific dollar amount and contingent on the move being at least 50 miles from the current primary address. 

To Apply: 

To apply, click on the ‘Apply Now’ button below to be directed to an online application where you may upload your application materials. Applicants must submit a cover letter, resume, and three professional references. The initial deadline for receipt of complete applications is April 11, 2024. However, applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

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SELC is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering an inclusive workplace environment. We are eager to welcome new team members who share this commitment. We still have much progress to make, but our goal is to create and maintain a staff that, at every level, reflects the rich racial and cultural diversity of the communities where we work and the clients that we serve. Persons of all backgrounds—including people of color, women, people with disabilities, veterans, and LGBTQ candidates—are strongly encouraged to apply.