Organizational Mission:

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s mission is to protect, manage, and advocate for the Appalachian National Scenic Trail.

Position Summary

The Controller is a key partner to the Chief Financial Administration Officer (CFAO), responsible for overseeing accounting activities, ensuring accuracy, transparency, and compliance across the organization’s fiscal operations. This role ensures the organization maintains strong financial stewardship, supports strategic decision-making, and supports efforts to maintain trust with donors, funders, and stakeholders through clear, timely, and transparent financial reporting.

Reporting to the Chief Financial Administration Officer (CFAO), the Controller manages accounting, budgeting, financial reporting, and compliance functions in alignment with GAAP, federal and state regulations, business licensing, and charitable organization requirements.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Supervise and mentor the finance support team.
Oversee accounting operations, including general ledger, accounts payable, cash receipts, billing, accounts receivable, federal billing, and month-end close.
Provide coaching, training, and support to ensure tasks are completed accurately, efficiently, and aligned with best practices.
Foster a collaborative, accountable, and a mission-driven team culture.
Approve journal transactions, vendor invoice payments, and expense reimbursement.
Ensure adherence to GAAP and all regulatory requirements.
Maintain accurate and complete financial records that support operational needs, internal controls, and audit readiness.
Manage cash flow, banking relationships, and treasury functions.

Financial Reporting, Budgeting and Forecasting

Oversee preparation of monthly financial reports, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and alignment with board oversight requirements.
Develop and maintain dashboards, KPIs, and other analytical tools to monitor financial health and inform decision making.
Provide financial insights to inform leadership, field and program staff, and the Board in support mission-aligned resource allocation.
Ensure finance team provides timely tracking and reporting for donors, funders, federal partners, and regulatory agencies.
Support an efficient and effective annual budgeting process, coordinating with organizational leadership, department and program managers that meet budget parameters, available funding, and board guidelines.
Support budget managers throughout the year, monitoring spending and monitoring variance analysis and identifying budget to actual misalignment.
Support the development of multi-year financial projections and scenario planning models.

Compliance & Risk Management

Oversee compliance with federal, state, and charitable registration requirements.
Oversee financial aspects of federal, state, and private grants, including reporting, tracking, and compliance with grant requirements.
Prepare for and lead audit activities, including assigning work to finance team, ensuring timely and accurate submissions for financial and single/program audits.
Reduce risk of financial mismanagement with strong internal controls and compliance systems.
Manage commercial insurance coverage, claims, ensuring adequate protection for people, assets, and operations.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or related field required, CPA or MBA a plus.
7-10+ years of progressive accounting/finance experience, including supervisory responsibilities.
Experience in nonprofit fiscal management, including federal and state grant compliance.
Knowledge of GAAP and requirements for federal awards.
Demonstrated experience preparing for and managing audits, including program and single audits.
Proficiency with accounting systems and financial reporting tools; experience developing dashboards and KPIs desired. Familiarity with NetSuite, bill.com, and ADP helpful.
Demonstrated system and data orientation; experience supporting data system improvements and integration across platforms would be a major plus.
Experience with financial modeling, multi-year budgeting and capital planning.
Demonstrated ability to influence outcomes and build collaborative partnerships across all levels of the organization.
Proven success leading and developing high-performing teams while fostering an inclusive, engaged, and results-oriented culture.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

Willingness to travel as needed for meetings, trainings, and all staff retreat.
Ability to perform work in both remote and shared office environments, with extended periods of computer and phone use.
Ability to communicate effectively across multiple platforms, including phone, video, email, and in person interactions.

Additional Details:

Location: Hybrid/Remote, with a strong preference for candidates located in close proximity to Harpers Ferry, WV. Applicants must reside in one of the 14 Appalachian Trail states: Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, or Maine.
Annual Salary Range: ($100k - $130k)
Health, dental, and vision insurance available.
Company paid long-term disability and life insurance provided.
403(b) Retirement Plan with up to 7% match after 1 year of service.
Why Join ATC?  This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of one of America’s most iconic landscapes. As AVP of Development, you’ll play a pivotal role in ensuring the Appalachian Trail remains protected and cherished for generations to come.

Controller (HYBRID)