Controller

Overview

About Run for Something
Run for Something recruits and supports young progressives running for down-ballot offices in the United States. Since launching in 2017, we’ve recruited 126,000+ young people who want to run, and we’ve endorsed over 2,300 candidates across all 50 states + DC. We’ve elected 793 candidates across 49 states – 57% are women, 57% are BIPOC, and 21% are LGBTQIA+. and all are age 40 or younger. Our alumni have meaningfully and intentionally made life better for millions of Americans across the country. We are a high-reaching, hungry team changing the face of politics in America. Learn more about our work in this clip.

The Run for Something network includes Run for Something (a 527 non-federal PAC),Run for Something Action Fund (a 501c4), and Run for Something Civics (a newly launched, non-partisan 501c3).

We have ambitious plans for 2023 and beyond. Read about them in our Strategic Plan here.

We highly encourage all job applicants to visit our Careers page to learn about our work environment, values, compensation and benefits policies, interview process, and more.

Position Summary
Position Name: Controller
Reporting Structure: This role reports to the Director, Finance & Compliance
Location: Remote (U.S.)
Job Classification: Full Time, Exempt

Essential Duties: The primary responsibilities include leading daily accounting and financial operations, maintaining strong internal controls, and collaborating with Director, Finance & Compliance to prepare financial reporting.

Position summary:
Run for Something is currently hiring a Controller to join the Finance and Compliance department for our organization that has more than doubled in budget size in the last year. This is a new position, with the opportunity to make an impact on our mission by collaborating with the team to manage the daily financial and accounting operations, and manage and improve critical financial and accounting infrastructures and systems to safeguard our organization given its growth in 2022.

The Controller’s responsibilities include general accounting recordkeeping, all activities of payroll and retirement plans, accounts payable and accounts receivable, preparing and reconciling month-end closings, financial planning and reporting, and supporting all aspects of the budget and producing periodic budget-actuals as requested.

Other duties include maintaining and improving internal accounting controls, reviewing and establishing accounting policies and procedures, tracking and reporting on grants, serving as the subject matter expert on all GAAP accounting and tax standards, regulations, and legislation. The controller is the primary coordinator of all audit activities, in preparation of year-end financial statements and federal form 990.

The Controller will support  in tracking the cash flow and revenue cycles, including billing and expense management as needed. This person will also help build and interpret revenue and expense forecast models, using the same to inform strategic decisions and financial planning, and help prepare monthly reports and maintain all grantor records.

Responsibilities
The Controller will help RFS accomplish our strategic imperatives via:
Financial and Accounting Management (45% of time):
Lead day-to-day financial operations with supervisory and functional responsibility over accounting, accounts payable, and accounts receivable for our 3 entities: Run for Something Action Fund (a 501c4), Run for Something Civics (a 501c3, currently housed under a fiscal sponsorship), and Run for Something (a 527 non-federal PAC, which also encompasses multiple state-level PACs)
Manage all general ledger activities to ensure monthly reports are completed on time and the general ledger is in accordance with GAAP standards
Oversee recording of all contributions in the general ledger, monitor pledge receivables, keep track of outstanding balances, and complete monthly reconciliation with the Development (Fundraising) team to inform fundraising needs based on revenue projections
Complete timely and accurate weekly bill/check run aligned with invoicing system procedures and approvals
Manage monthly financial close, including reconciliations of operating, payroll, fixed assets, journal entries, and ongoing variances
Co-facilitate accurate and regular cash forecasting with the Director, Finance & Compliance and present to the Executive Team to make accurate and timely cash management decisions
Coordinate all audit activities with our external auditor partners
Support the Director, Finance & Compliance with annual budget development and financial forecasting
Communicate financial information to staff in an accessible manner to establish greater awareness and engagement in the organization’s financial picture
Manage the responsibilities of the external Bookkeeper with potential to manage other team members in the future
Internal Controls and Policies (20% of time):
Establish appropriate business operations and internal controls policies, practices, and procedures in collaboration with the Director, Finance & Compliance
Maintain strong financial controls through policies and organization of documentation to preserve historical records, including maintaining and organizing financial, accounts payable, payroll and grantor record-keeping practices and files
Ensure compliance with local, state and federal financial reporting requirements and tax filings such as 990
Stay up-to-date on accounting-related federal, state, and local requirements, and current best practices in nonprofit finance and accounting
Financial Reporting (20% of time):
In collaboration with the Director, Finance & Compliance, compile, analyze, and review financial statements and present financial information to the Executive Team and Board in a timely manner (monthly, quarterly, and yearly), while leveraging reporting and visualization capabilities of the accounting system
Support the Director, Finance & Compliance to prepare and distribute official financial organizational correspondence, reports, or other documents as needed
Broader Department Responsibilities (15% of time):
Recommend new ideas to strengthen internal processes that help advance overall organization goals
Mentor and coach staff to be fiscally responsible in line with RFS values and performance management standards to ensure relevant key performance indicators are met; identify and support areas for professional development
Build a strong collaborative culture within the team and with other teams across the organization
Support broader Finance & Compliance department tasks and projects as needed
Key Goals: Success in this position looks like
Ensure accounting and financial operations are in compliance with GAAP standards
Manage and strengthen critical accounting and financial infrastructure and processes
Ensure all financial systems are connected and integrated with one another
Perform timely and accurate monthly closes
Collaborate with Director, Financial & Compliance to produce financial reports for Executive Team and Board
Qualifications
While an accounting or finance-related degree is not required for this position, your application materials should clearly demonstrate your financial experience as related to this role
At least 5 years of relevant work experiences in accounting
Previous experience in a multi-entity non-profit with fund accounting
Previous experience implementing accounting software
Previous experience managing vendors (ie bookkeepers, software vendors) and direct reports
Experience working with non-finance staff or leaders to build budgets; the ability to explain complicated financial processes and functions to non-finance staff
Highly proficient in accrual accounting
Proactive, resourceful and strategic thinker, with the ability to provide a positive working and learning environment for staff
Proven ability to prioritize, organize, take initiative, work independently, and manage  multiple, complex tasks simultaneously in a fast-paced environment
Excellent leadership, interpersonal, teamwork, and communication skills
Excellent data management, software, and reporting skills coupled with strong analytical and budgetary experience required
Willingness to learn new systems and innovate to streamline and strengthen internal processes
Advanced proficiency in Excel
Demonstrated ability to work in and contribute to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment
Ability to demonstrate Run for Something’s organizational values: Bold & Fearless; Open & Honest; Supportive & Respectful; Progressive & Diverse; Long-term & Strategic
Ability to work independently for extended periods of time in a remote environment Strong commitment to the Run for Something mission
Plus Qualifications
Firsthand user experience and expertise with NetSuite ERP and Planning &Budgeting module is a plus
Run for Something is committed to building teams that reflect the diversity of our candidates, and to building equitable and inclusive environments that fully leverage the skills, potential, and unique perspectives of our employees. We strongly encourage applications from members of marginalized communities who have been disproportionately affected by lack of representation in elected office, including Black, Indigenous, and people of color, women, and the LGBTQIA+ and disabled communities. Learn more about our commitment here.

In order to prioritize the health and safety of our employees, all Run for Something employees are required to provide proof of COVID vaccination. Run for Something will discuss reasonable accommodations with employees who may be unable to receive a vaccine due to disability, the advice of a medical provider, or sincerely held religious beliefs.

Work Environment
Run for Something is (and always has been and will be) a remote office environment; you will collaborate with colleagues who are based across the United States. You should be prepared to either work from home or a location of your choosing.

When it is safe to do so, this position will require attendance at approximately 2 all-staff events per year, which may include overnight travel.

This position requires the ability to work core hours, Monday through Thursday.

Learn more about what it’s like to work at Run for Something at our Careers page.

Essential Physical Requirements
As this is a remote position, the person in this position must be able to communicate with colleagues and partners via phone, including conference and video calls, as well as written communication such as Slack and email. The position requires the ability to work on a computer for all or part of the work day. This position will include travel, as described above.

Compensation & Benefits
Salary for this position is set at $120,000. In order to counter pay inequality and uphold internal parity, salaries are non-negotiable for new and current employees. Run for Something salary bands for a given staff level are benchmarked to the 75th percentile for our sector, and all new employees are paid at the entry point of those bands. Employees then have the opportunity to progress through current salary bands through annual cost of living increases and performance-based pay increases, and into new salary bands through promotions.

Learn more about our compensation policy here.

Benefits at Run for Something include:
-Four Day Work Week (learn more here)
-Unlimited Paid Time Off policy
-Platinum Medical Insurance (100% of premium covered for employees; 50% of premium covered for dependents)
-Dental and Vision Insurance (99.9% of premium covered for both employees and dependents)
-Professional Development Stipend
-Treat Yourself Stipend ($500 a year to do something that brings you joy)
-Equipment Stipend
-401kWork from Home Stipend
-Cell Phone/Internet Stipend
-12 weeks paid family leave
-Paid Sabbatical (after 3 years of service to RFS)
-Employee Assistance Program
~ Four weeks in organization-wide holiday closures, including a two-week winter break
-Flexible, remote work environment
-Transition payment for departing employees

Work Authorization
Given campaign finance restrictions, candidates for this position must possess valid work authorizations, and cannot be foreign nationals. This means that we are legally prohibited from hiring anyone for this position who is not a US citizen or lawful permanent resident (green card holder).

To Apply
We will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis, with priority review given to earlier applications.

Learn more about our interview process here.

No phone calls, emails, or social media inquiries, please. Due to the volume of applications, we are unable to respond to individual inquiries. As a general policy, we don’t conduct informational interviews for candidates who have applied for specific opportunities at Run for Something to ensure equity in our hiring process and to give everyone who has applied a fair chance to succeed. We know that applying to jobs is difficult, and we do our best to alert every applicant as to their status in the process. However, be aware that you may not receive a response from us until after the application deadline has passed.

If you need accessibility or disability accommodations in any step of the application or interview process, please contact hiring@runforsomething.net, with the job title + “accommodation request” in the subject line.