Vice President, Accounting & Controls

Vice President, Accounting & Controls

ProPublica

 

ProPublica 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.

 

About the Organization

 

ProPublica 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.

 

ProPublica 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, ProPublica has grown into the largest investigative newsroom in the country and our work has won top journalistic honors, including eight Pulitzer Prizes. ProPublica 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. ProPublica does not accept government funding, and the vast majority of funding comes from foundations and individual major donors.

 

You can learn more about ProPublica at their website.

 

About the Role

 

What You'll Do

 

The Vice President, Accounting & Controls is responsible for leading ProPublica'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. ProPublica 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:

 

Accounting and Financial Operations

 

• 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 financial audit, 403(b audit), and preparation of tax filings, including the 990, 1099s, 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

 

People Leadership and Team Development

 

• 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 results

• Cultivate an inclusive culture that values open communication, trust, and collaboration, and one that invests in the professional development of the finance team

 

Who You'll Work With

 

• You will report to the Chief Financial and Administrative Officer.

• You will supervise the Accounting & Payroll Manager, the Financial Operations Coordinator, and the Finance Coordinator.

• You will frequently collaborate with internal partners in Finance, Human Resources, Development; and Editorial, representatives for software applications such as Paylocity, Bill and Expensify and key external auditing partners.

 

Required Skills and Experience

 

• 10+ years of accounting and financial management experience, ideally in structures with budgets of $50M-$100M or high-growth organizations

• Brings deep technical expertise in nonprofit GAAP, audit readiness, and reporting with a proven ability to build disciplined monthly and quarterly close processes and ensure compliance with regulations

• At least 3+ years of experience as a people manager; strong people coach, mentor, and leader with the ability to assess existing talent and build teams while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continued development

• Deep knowledge of Sage Intacct required; experience with Paylocity, Expensify, Bill.com, Principal preferred

• Strong interpersonal communication skills including the ability to explain financial reasoning to colleagues outside the finance profession; brings the ability to work effectively with cross-functional partners

• Systems thinker who understands system integrations, continually assess and recommend systems changes, and oversee implementations

• Ability to thrive in and be energized by a high-growth, dynamic work environment

• Commitment to the vision, mission, and values of ProPublica

• CPA or equivalent experience preferred

 

We know there are great candidates who may not fit into what we've described above or who have important skills we haven't thought of. If that's you, don't hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself.

 

Additional Details

 

Location and Work Environment

 

This is a hybrid position based out of ProPublica's headquarters, located at 155 6th Avenue, New York, NY, 10013. Candidates must commit to working in office at least 2 days a week (subject to change). Regular travel is unlikely and is expected to be 10% or less.

 

Compensation

 

The expected salary range for this position is $175,000 to $200,000.

 

This is a good-faith estimate of what we expect to pay for this position. The final salary figure will take into account a person's experience, accomplishment and location. ProPublica is committed to paying its staff equitably, and these ranges should not be considered career salary limits or caps.

 

To Learn More About Benefits

 

This job is full time and includes benefits (see detailed list here).

 

Benefits

 

• Individual/family Medical, Dental, and Vision plans

• Employee Funded Medical and Dependent Care Flex Spending Accounts

• Generous vacation, sick time off, personal days, and paid holidays

• Competitive Paid Parental Leave (100% of pay for 20 weeks)

• 403(b) retirement plan with a 5% match or Student Loan Repayment (SLR) Plan

• Pre-Tax Commuter Benefits

• Long-Term, Short-Term Disability, Life, and Long-Term Care

• Company-Issued Cell Phone or Cell Phone Bill Reimbursement (up to $80 per month)

 

Equity at ProPublica

 

ProPublica is dedicated to improving its newsroom, in part by better reflecting the people the organization covers. (Here is a breakdown of our staff.) We are committed to diversity and building an inclusive environment for people of all backgrounds and ages. And we are taking steps to meet that commitment. We especially encourage members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply, including women, people of color, LGBTQ+ people and people with disabilities. We are an equal opportunity employer and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age or any other status protected under applicable law.