Vice President, Accounting & Controls at ProPublica

Pro Publica is an independent, nonprofit newsroom that produces investigative journalism in the public interest. We work in a non-partisan and non-ideological manner, adhering to the strictest standards of journalistic impartiality.

Pro Publica produces investigative journalism with moral force. We dig deep into important issues, shining a light on abuses of power and betrayals of public trust — and we stick with those issues as long as it takes to hold power to account. Our team of more than 180 dedicated journalists — reporting from our national headquarters and our regional offices across the country — investigates essential stories on the most critical issues of our time and examines the ways abuses of power, corruption and betrayals of public trust hurt everyday Americans.

Pro Publica was founded in 2008 to address a broad decline in investigative reporting amid the collapse of the business model that had supported American journalism for more than a century. Since that time, Pro Publica has grown into the largest investigative newsroom in the country and our work has won top journalistic honors, including eight Pulitzer Prizes. Pro Publica journalists focus on big, systemic problems that defy easy solutions.

They bring a range of perspectives and inventive skills to expose the truth, and they create journalism that is unparalleled in its breadth and irrefutable in its accuracy. Pro Publica does not accept government funding, and the vast majority of funding comes from foundations and individual major donors.

You can learn more about Pro Publica at their website.

The Vice President, Accounting & Controls is responsible for leading Pro Publica's accounting function. Reporting to the Chief Financial and Administrative Officer and managing a team of three accounting and finance professionals, the VP will maintain and continuously improve the system of financial controls, including general accounting, audit, tax compliance, and banking. The VP will advise the CFAO on all significant accounting and reporting matters to develop and implement sound accounting procedures across the organization.

This individual will respond quickly and with sound judgment to a variety of situations in a fast-paced environment and handle sensitive information in a professional manner. It is critical that the VP is a systems thinker who understands system integrations, continually assesses and recommends systems changes, and oversees implementations. Pro Publica is positioned to continue to grow in staff and budget over the next 3-5 years, and this role will lead the evolution of the accounting and finance team, as well as the technology, processes, and policies to support such growth.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Oversee all accounting operations, including accounts payable, receivable, general ledger, cash and investment management, and corporate credit card processing ensuring accuracy, compliance, and alignment with nonprofit GAAP
• Manage key processes with internal and external partners including semi-monthly payroll, 403b reconciliations, grant accounting, and net asset release schedules
• Own the execution and continuous improvement of preparation for timely, audit-ready financial statements, including the annual audit, 403b, 1099, and 1042s; maintain a consistent monthly and quarterly close rhythm that provides leadership with real-time insight
• Strengthen financial systems and internal controls, accounting policies, and compliance systems that safeguard assets and ensure adherence to all regulatory requirements
• Work closely with development department on finance related operations and to ensure grant allocations and reporting are appropriate
• Proactively identify and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency, financial accountability, and risk management across the organization

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of 3 finance team members
• Communicate goals and expectations, delegate effectively, and ensure team members feel empowered and supported to deliver high-quality…