Controller

AIR’s Corporate Finance Office is seeking a Corporate Controller to join its innovative team. The Corporate Finance Office is a dynamic workplace with a clear mission to develop and maintain a service-oriented organization aligned with business objectives.

The Corporate Controller is a senior member of AIR’s financial leadership team, reporting to the Senior Vice President, CFO & Treasurer. This pivotal role oversees all accounting and financial operations, ensuring a robust financial and internal control environment. It is a highly visible role that significantly impacts financial operations, reporting, and compliance for an organization with over $400 million in revenue and assets, and multiple offices worldwide.

This role demands strategic and tactical thinking, along with exceptional analytical, communication, and leadership skills. If you are ready to make a significant impact and excel in a fast-paced environment, this role is for you.

This position has the flexibility to work hybrid from AIR's Crystal City, VA or Rockville, MD offices.

About AIR:

Established in 1946, with headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, AIR is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit institution that conducts behavioral and social science research and delivers technical assistance to solve some of the most urgent challenges in the U.S. and around the world. We advance evidence in the areas of education, health, the workforce, human services, and international development to create a better, more equitable world. AIR s commitment to diversity goes beyond legal compliance to its full integration in our strategy, operations, and work environment.

Responsibilities

The responsibilities for the position include:

• Develop and implement internal control policies and business processes to ensure compliance with U.S. GAAP and international accounting standards. Monitor and analyze accounting data to produce financial reports and statements.
• Ensure compliance with Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), and other government contract requirements.
• Accurately record, file, and report all financial transactions, adhering to accounting guidelines, internal policies, and regulatory requirements. Advise on the development and execution of company financial policies and procedures, driving process improvements and efficiency.
• Conduct revenue, expense, and margin analysis to ensure project profitability targets are met and guide senior management in achieving set goals.
• Oversee all accounting operations, including Accounts Payable, General Ledger, Payroll, Treasury, and Tax, while ensuring the team budget’s accuracy, integrity, and alignment with organizational goals.
• Oversee the timely and accurate closing of financial records for month-end, quarter-end, and year-end, while preparing and publishing monthly financial statements and lender reports.
• Manage annual financial statement audits, coordinating with external auditors to ensure timely and accurate completion for both U.S. and international entities.
• Enhance efficiency and effectiveness in the accounting function by driving productivity, continuous process improvement, and transformation. Oversee the development and enhancement of financial accounting systems to meet evolving business needs.
• Advise on and oversee accounting integration for mergers, acquisitions, and post-acquisition activities.
• Recruit, train, develop, and coach the team, fostering a culture of continuous learning and development to enhance talent growth. Set clear priorities and ensure deliverables are met.
• Support digital transformation initiatives by leveraging technology to streamline accounting processes and improve financial reporting accuracy and efficiency. Drive continuous improvement and transformation in the accounting function to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
• Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time based on business needs.

Qualifications:

Education, Knowledge, and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field with at least 15 years of relevant experience or A Master’s degree or MBA.
• Certified Public Accounting (CPA) certification.
• A minimum of 12 years of progressive senior accounting experience, including at least 8 years in a leadership position, and over 10 years of experience in government grant and contract accounting.
• Strong understanding of various contract types (T&M, CPFF, FFP) and incurred costs, with demonstrated expertise in Estimate at Completion (EAC), Accounting Standards Codification 606 (ASC) revenue recognition, accounting principles, and relevant federal acquisition regulations (CAS/FAR/DFARS).
• In-depth knowledge of U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, financial regulations, and best practices in accounting, along with extensive experience in financial reporting, budgeting, and forecasting.
• A proven track record of implementing process improvements within financial systems such as Costpoint.
• Experience with global organizations.

Skills:

• Showcase remarkable analytical insight, strategic planning, and problem-solving proficiency, key to steering the organization towards its goals.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and collaborate in a virtual/hybrid, cross-functional, and diverse team environment.
• Strong leadership and team-building abilities with a proven ability to lead and motivate a high-performing team.
• Skilled communicator, adept at conveying complex financial concepts clearly and convincingly to various audiences.
• Adept at managing multiple priorities and projects in a fast-paced and evolving environment, with a proactive approach to process improvement and change management.
• Proficient in navigating and responding to evolving financial landscapes and regulatory changes, ensuring adherence and strategic alignment.
• Proven commitment to integrity and ethical financial practices, ensuring alignment of financial strategies with the organization's long-term goals and objectives.
• Commitment to maintaining the highest ethical standards in financial reporting.
• Proficient in utilizing standard Microsoft 365 tools, including OneDrive, SharePoint, Excel, Word, and Adobe Acrobat Pro.

Disclosures:

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis. Employment-based visa sponsorship (including H-1B sponsorship) is not available for this position. Depending on project work, qualified candidates may need to meet certain residency requirements.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability.

AIR adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo reference and background checks.

AIR maintains a drug-free work environment.

Fraudulent Job Scams Warning & Disclaimer:

AIR is aware of individuals falsely presenting themselves as AIR representatives. Fraudulent job scams seek to extract sensitive information or money from victims. To protect yourself, please be aware that AIR recruitment will only email you from an “@air.org” domain. Please take extra caution while examining the email address, for example jdoe@air.org is correct and jdoe@aircareers.org is not a legitimate AIR email address. If you are unsure of the legitimacy of a communication you have received, please reach out to recruitment@air.org.

If you see a job scam, or lose money to one, report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. You can also report it to your state attorney general. Find out more about how to avoid scams at ftc.gov/scams.

Please note, each section of the application is required in order for you to be considered for this opportunity. If you do not complete the required screening questions, or if you close your browser before completing each section of the application, your application will not be submitted for this position. American Institutes for Research is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer committed to excellence through diversity. Minorities, women, individuals with disabilities and veterans are encouraged to apply. American Institutes for Research’s commitment to Diversity goes beyond legal compliance to its full integration in our strategy, operations and work environment. Diversity is valued and Inclusion is reflected in all efforts to recruit, develop, and engage the diverse staff needed to accomplish our mission. ACCESSIBILITY NOTICE: If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process due to a physical or mental disability, please send an email to Taliba Boone at tboone@air.org or call 202.403.5000.

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AIR’s Total Rewards Program, is designed to reward our staff competitively and motivate them to achieve our critical mission. This position offers the anticipated annual salary as listed. Salary offers are made based on internal equity within the institution and external equity with competitive markets. Please note this is the annual salary range for candidates that are based in the United States.