Controller

Job Overview

Required: Nonprofit Experience

Compensation: Salaried, Exempt

Experience: 8+ Years in Finance

People Manager: No

About Us

FreeWorld is a fully remote, tech-enabled, nonprofit organization in the US that helps individuals affected by the justice system obtain high-income careers to end the cycle of recidivism and generational poverty brought on by our country's mass incarceration problem. Each FreeWorld team member is incredibly passionate about what we do and cares deeply for our program participants (called Free Agents) and our team. All participants should share our passion for the mission and truly believe that everyone deserves a real second chance

About the Role

FreeWorld is a fully remote, mission-driven nonprofit at an exciting inflection point as we execute our strategic plan to expand our impact and advance our vision of providing every person leaving incarceration with the opportunity to build a living-wage career. Over the next three years, we will scale our budget, staffing levels, client base, and wrap-around services to meet the growing demand for our programs and strengthen our national reach. This expansion requires an experienced and innovative financial leader who can build, manage, and improve the systems that support a scaling organization.

Reporting to the People Operations Director, the Controller is responsible for leading FreeWorld's day-to-day accounting operations, ensuring accuracy in financial reporting and compliance, and providing strategic guidance to strengthen and expand the organization's finance function. The Controller will collaborate with senior leadership, auditors, and other key partners to ensure FreeWorld's financial systems, modeling, and grant management processes effectively support both program growth and organizational sustainability. The ideal candidate is a self-starter and innovator with extensive experience in nonprofit accounting, grant management, and scaling start-up organizations. You bring both technical precision and an entrepreneurial mindset, designing systems that evolve with growth and drive organizational excellence.

You may be right for this role if:

• You're passionate about our mission
• You're energized by the idea of joining a rapidly scaling organization and building the infrastructure needed to scale effectively
• You are a team player; you are willing to support the team whether that means "sweeping the floors" to rolling up your sleeves on a complex grants strategy

This is not the right role if:

• You are uncomfortable working in a function of one for the foreseeable future
• You prefer small organizations with steady processes and consistent revenue & expenses. We need someone who is experienced, and can guide us through our next several chapters.
• You are not interested in a remote work environment.

Core Responsibilities:

1. Oversee all financial operations, ensuring accuracy and timeliness in financial reporting, disbursements, and receivables, while maintaining financial integrity and compliance with tax provisions.
2. Collaborate with external and internal teams to identify and bridge gaps, develop scalable financial solutions, and prepare and track budgets.
3. Collaborate with Senior Leadership to provide guidance on building an internal finance team, providing strategic insights into financial performance, and fostering a values-driven, high-performing culture.

Additional responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Financial Reporting:

• Coordinate and prepare internal and external financial statements, including department expense reports, detailed PayPal transaction coding, and annual audited financial statements.
• Analyze financial results and provide leadership with an understanding of the organization's financial performance and the financial implications of business decisions and strategies.
• Clearly articulate and build a strategy to help manage restricted / unrestricted assets

Accounting:

• Plan, direct, and coordinate all accounting operational functions.
• Evaluate financial internal control systems and ensure adherence to such controls.
• Manage and oversee all disbursements, ensuring accurate and timely processing of invoices, accounts payable (AP), and employee expense reports.

Audit and Tax:

• Manage the annual financial statement audit, including coordinating activities of external auditors and the related communications with the audit team.
• Ensure financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP and deliver final materials to the CEO for the organization's external audit.
• Stay updated with the latest GAAP accounting regulations, implement all new requirements as needed, and provide insight to management on the impact of new pronouncements on the organization's financial statements.
• Coordinate and prepare information for annual tax returns, including Form 990 and various state returns in conjunction with third-party tax consultants.

Compliance

• Contribute to the resolution of various state tax issues.
• Assure compliance with income tax provisions, including the accurate and timely completion and filing of all tax returns, including 990, 990T, 5500s, and state filings.

Grants Management Support

• Provide assistance to the fundraising team in understanding award letter stipulations and the impact on accounting records.
• Provide tracking of grants to ensure we are in compliance with restricted donation requirements
• Contribute recommendations for improved and efficient grant database processing.
• Manage accounts receivable (AR) activities to ensure accurate and timely recording and processing of all grants.

Qualifications:

• You have a connection to our mission and values: Our values resonate with you and you hold a strong belief that everyone deserves a second chance.
• You have 8+ years of experience:
  You've worked in accounting/finance for nonprofits or philanthropic organizations.
• You're a cross-functional team player:
   You're a clear, direct communicator who's comfortable working with colleagues across a variety of teams and backgrounds. You have a cooperative attitude and willingness to learn and assist others.
• You're tech-forward:
  You have a strong understanding of accounting software and the ability to assess and implement technology to automate and control accounting processes.
• You're a problem-solving pro:
   When you find a problem, you fix it. You have strong analytical skills, good judgement, with a critical, innovative, mindset toward problem-solving and love trying new solutions to old problems.
• You're a time-management master:
   You can juggle multiple goals, tasks, and timelines and keep them on track to meet deadlines.
• Preferred, but not required:
• You have change management experience with implementing new accounting software or systems
• You have experience transitioning from an outsourced accounting firm to in-house financial operations
• You have worked remotely in a rapidly scaling environment
• You have a CPA and an extensive understanding of GAAP, financial audits, and proper financial controls.
• Additional Requirements:
• Authorized to work in the U.S.

Compensation and Benefits

FreeWorld offers a competitive total rewards package that aligns with nonprofit organizations of similar size and scope. Compensation is benchmarked to industry standards and based on experience, internal equity, and role responsibility. The salary range for this position is $120,000–$155,000
. In addition to base compensation, FreeWorld provides a robust and comprehensive benefits package designed to support employee well-being, professional growth, and financial stability:

• Fully remote work environment with schedule flexibility
• Collaborative, values-driven culture built on honesty, trust, and transparency
• Annual, company-sponsored in-person staff retreat focused on connection, learning, and celebration
• Meaningful work creating life-changing impact for returning citizens across the country
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance with supplemental and pet coverage options
• Company-paid short-term and long-term disability, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and a $10,000 life and AD&D policy
• Quarterly wellness stipend and paid phone/internet stipend
• 401(k) plan and high-yield savings