Vice President, Finance & Controller

Vice President, Finance & Controller 

Any CEO Office Location

Anticipated deadline to submit application: January 16th 2026 5pm EST

The Opportunity

The Vice President Finance and Controller provides strategic and operational leadership for CEO’s financial management, ensuring the integrity, accuracy, and timeliness of all accounting and reporting functions. As the organization’s chief accounting authority, the Controller develops and maintains best-practice accounting policies, internal controls, and financial processes aligned with GAAP and all regulatory requirements. 

They oversee general ledger management, financial reporting, audits, tax filings, and support budgeting and forecasting activities. The Vice President, Finance and Controller leads the Accounting team, ensuring effective workload distribution, quality, and professional development. In partnership with the CFO, they streamline systems, strengthen internal controls, and leverage technology to enhance organizational efficiency and financial insight.

As part of our mission, we strongly encourage individuals who have lived experience of incarceration or involvement in the justice system to apply for this role.

Who We Are 

The Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) provides employment services to people recently released from incarceration. Across the United States, 8,000-9,000 people participate in CEO each year, transitioning to employment that supports themselves, their families, and their communities.

What began as a demonstration project of the Vera Institute of Justice in the 1970s to address employment barriers facing the formerly incarcerated following release in New York City has grown into the leading reentry employment organization in the country, where over 30,000 formerly incarcerated individuals have secured full-time employment since 1996.

Who You Are

Education & Experience

• You have a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance required; Master’s degree and/or CPA strongly preferred
• You have a minimum 10+ years progressive accounting experience, ideally in a nonprofit environment.
• You have a minimum 8+ years leadership experience with demonstrated success leading a finance or accounting department to outcomes.
• You have deep knowledge of fund accounting, GAAP reporting, CFR200, OMB cost principles, and regulatory requirements.
• You have proficiency with accounting and payroll systems, as well as advanced Excel capabilities.
• You are a strategic thinker who aligns financial operations with organizational priorities.
• You have high accountability; demonstrates ownership of outcomes and decisions.
• You have exceptional attention to detail and commitment to accuracy and documentation.
• You have customer- and service-oriented approach to supporting departments and programs.
• You have strong problem-solving capabilities with sound judgment in complex situations.
• You are skilled relationship builder with the ability to influence across all levels of the organization.
• You are resilient and effective under pressure; adapts quickly to changing conditions.
• You are results-oriented with strong time management, data literacy, communication, and teamwork.
• You have a continuous improvement mindset; challenges the status quo and drives enhancements to systems and processes.
• You are a confident decision-maker able to weigh risks, act with urgency, and adapt to uncertainty.
• You are highly organized with strong mastery of systems, workflows, and financial compliance requirements.

What You’ll Be Responsible For

Key responsibilities of the VP of Finance & Controller include but are not limited to:

These responsibilities are representative, but are not all-inclusive:

Strategic Finance Leadership & Compliance

• Assess and optimize financial systems, processes, and internal controls to ensure efficiency, data integrity, and strong risk management. Make recommendations for improvement to achieve greater efficiencies.
• Maintain and update the chart of accounts to reflect organizational growth, evolving activities, and compliance needs.
• Oversee documentation, monitoring, and maintenance of internal controls to safeguard assets and ensure the reliability of financial statements.
• Lead negotiations and reporting related to the organization’s indirect rates, banking and treasury services, financial systems pricing, and audit inquiries.
• Interpret regulatory and compliance standards and ensure consistent application across the finance function.

Accounting Operations & Technical Expertise

• Oversee all accounting activities, including grant accounting, AP/AR, cash disbursements, receivables management, fixed assets, payroll recording, and general ledger maintenance.
• Ensure timely and accurate recording of financial transactions; implement and maintain strong internal controls and review processes.
• Ensure accurate revenue recognition in accordance with ASC 958-605 and ASC606 guidance; interpret technical guidance and apply to organizational arrangements.
• Direct monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes, including reconciliations, journal entries, accruals, and account analyses.
• Maintain integrity of revenue, restricted net assets, and expense reporting across multiple funding sources.
• Oversee management of cash accounts, cash flow monitoring, and timely bank reconciliations.
• Ensure proper accounting for payroll, fixed assets, depreciation, and accrued liabilities.

Tax, Audit, and Regulatory Compliance

• Oversee all audits—financial, Uniform Guidance, pension/retirement plans, funder audits, and others.
• Ensure audit readiness, preparation of schedules, documentation, and timely resolution of audit findings.
• Lead preparation and filing of IRS Form 990, CHAR 500 and other state tax filings, Form 5500, sales and use tax filings, and other required tax submissions.
• Maintain the organization’s expense allocation plan and oversee submission and negotiation of the annual indirect cost rate application with the Department of Labor.
• Ensure ongoing compliance with federal, state, and local financial regulations.

Financial Reporting

• Prepare and deliver monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements.
• Prepare and present financial reports and analysis to the CFO, executive leadership, Audit and Finance Committees, and Board as needed.
• Ensure accurate reporting of financial performance, key trends, and organizational risks.

Team Leadership & Departmental Management

• Lead, supervise, and develop the Accounting team, currently a team of 8, ensuring effective performance management, coaching, and professional growth.
• Support staffing decisions and organizational design within the Finance Department.
• Partner with Grants Leadership to ensure timely reporting, billing, and compliant revenue recognition for restricted funds.
• Collaborate with the CFO on investment tracking, reporting, and adherence to investment policies.
• Provide training and policy orientation to managers and staff to promote fiscal discipline and internal control compliance

Compensation and Benefits

We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits package that reflects how much we value our people. Our benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage with competitive contributions, health reimbursement and flexible spending accounts, and paid parental leave to support families. We invest in your future with a retirement plan that includes employer contributions, along with free financial wellness coaching and resources for mental health and wellbeing through our Employee Assistance Program. 

We also recognize the importance of balance and rest. That’s why we provide a robust paid time off package — including 20 vacation days, 12 sick days, 12 paid holidays, 2 personal days, and 1 floating holiday.

Beyond benefits, CEO fosters a culture of learning, connection, and teamwork. From our affinity group program and lunch-and-learns and team outings, we create opportunities to grow, share, and build community together.

This is an exempt position with a tiered compensation system designed to ensure fairness, market alignment, and equity across our geographical territories. CEO’s salary structure consists of multiple tiers, with ranges determined based on the cost of labor in specific markets.

For this role, the salary range falls within the overall range $151,000 to 218,400. CEO’s current salary tiers are structured as follows:

• Tier 1+: $196,300 - 218,400
  
• Tier 1: $181,200 - $201,600
  
• Tier 2: $166,100 - $184,800
  
• Tier 3+: $154,800 - $172,212
  
• Tier 3: $151,000 - $168,000

More About Us

Center for Employment Opportunities believes that everyone deserves the chance to shape a stronger future for themselves, their families, and their communities. People who are justice involved are highly encouraged to apply for vacant positions at all levels. CEO is committed to the CROWN Act, and creating an open space where our employees can present as their true authentic selves. 

All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without unlawful discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, gender, gender identity, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, prior record of arrest or conviction, citizenship status, current employment status, caregiver status, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law. We value diverse experiences, including with regard to educational background and justice system contact.

Please note that due to the volume of resumes received, we are unable to contact each applicant regarding the status of each position or reply to candidates' inquiries via phone or email.