Controller

Position Summary

The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) is seeking a Controller who will provide strategic and operational leadership over CFR’s accounting, payroll, and accounts receivable/payable functions, ensuring the integrity, accuracy, and compliance of the organization’s financial records and reporting. Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, the Controller leads the financial close and reporting cycle, maintains a strong internal control environment, and oversees accounting treatment for grants, cost allocations, and investments.

This role combines technical accounting expertise with people leadership and process improvement responsibilities. The Controller manages and develops a high-performing accounting organization while partnering closely with FP&A, programs, development, and external auditors to support CFR’s mission, growth objectives, and financial stewardship.

This full-time position is based in CFR’s New York City office four days per week. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays are institutional anchor days where all staff are required to be onsite.

Essential Functions/Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop teams across Accounting, Payroll, and Accounts Receivable/Payable, fostering accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

• Oversee the monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close and reporting cycles, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and compliance with applicable accounting standards.

• Establish, maintain, and enhance accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls to mitigate financial and operational risk.

• Ensure accurate recording and reporting of all grant activity, cost allocations, and indirect cost methodologies in alignment with funder requirements and organizational policies.

• Oversee accounts receivable and accounts payable processes, including revenue recognition, release of restricted funds, segregation of duties, and compliance with CFR policies (e.g., expense policies).

• Supervise payroll operations, including timekeeping, deductions, benefits-related accounting, and related audits, ensuring accuracy and regulatory compliance.

• Partner closely with the FP&A Director to ensure strong alignment between accounting actuals, cost allocations, IDC methodologies, analytics, and strategic financing activities.

• Lead the annual external audit process and oversee preparation of required financial statements, 990, compliance filings, and regulatory reports.

• Oversee cash and investment accounting and reporting, including review of cash activity, investment transactions, and related financial insights.

• Champion automation and process improvements across accounting, payroll, and AR/AP systems to improve efficiency, timeliness, and data integrity.

• Perform any other duties or tasks as assigned or required.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required. Master’s degree preferred.

• CPA or equivalent professional certification strongly preferred.

Experience

• At least 10 years of progressive accounting experience, including leadership responsibility.

• Demonstrated experience managing and developing accounting, payroll, and AR/AP professionals.

• Significant experience in nonprofit or grant-based organizations, with strong knowledge of nonprofit accounting standards.

• Proven track record overseeing financial close, audits, compliance filings, and internal control frameworks.

• Experience partnering with FP&A and senior leadership to ensure consistency between accounting results and financial planning.

Related Skills & Other Requirements

• Strong people management skills, including team leadership, coaching, performance management, and talent development.

• Deep expertise in accounting operations, financial controls, and compliance within a nonprofit or grant-funded environment.

• Ability to identify and implement process improvements and automation to enhance efficiency and accuracy.

• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively across finance and non-finance stakeholders.

• Advanced technology skills. experience with Microsoft Dynamics preferred.

• High attention to detail combined with the ability to think strategically and anticipate organizational needs.

• Strong judgment, integrity, and commitment to CFR’s mission and values.

Required Application Materials

Please submit a résumé and cover letter stating your interest in the position.

Compensation and Benefits

• The full-time annual compensation range for this position is $230,000 – $250,000, depending on experience.

• In addition to competitive salaries, the Council on Foreign Relations offers a benefits package that is among the best offered by nonprofit institutions today, including an award-winning health and wellness program, an on-site fitness center, and generous leave policies and health insurance programs.

About CFR

The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) is committed to fostering a foreign policy community in the United States that is more representative of American society, recognizing that diverse backgrounds and perspectives contribute to broader, more informed participation in the foreign policy debate and lead to an enhanced understanding of the world and the United States’ role therein. To that end, CFR is dedicated to continuing to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout its work and workplace by building a more diverse membership and staff, producing and dispensing thoughtful analysis on a broad range of foreign policy issues, and developing relevant, wide-reaching programming that also serves to expand the foreign policy talent pipeline to underrepresented populations.