Candidates must live in the State of Washington.

Controller/Director of Finance and Administration

Organization Overview -Who we are, what we do. (www.firstwa.org):

Washington FIRST Robotics is the 501c3 organization responsible for running all FIRST® programs in Washington State. We are also responsible for the Pacific Northwest (PNW) FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) District that spans across Washington State and Oregon. We have been operating FIRST programs since 2002 and have a long history of providing great experiences and infrastructure for the FIRST teams. Learn more at www.firstwa.org.

Our mission: to inspire diverse young people to participate in team-based STEM programs supported by a knowledgeable volunteer community.

FIRST Washington is an equal opportunity employer and we value diversity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

Position Overview- What you'll do:

The Controller/Director of Finance and Administration is responsible for all finance, human resource and accounting matters of FIRST Washington including forecasting, reporting and budgeting, oversight of day to day accounting and finance activities, overseeing compliance and recognition of grants, and long-term finance planning and modeling. They serve as a member of the leadership team, collaborating regularly with the President, leaders of the fundraising and programs departments, the board finance committee and the board of directors. This position directly manages one/soon two staff members (Staff Accountant) as well as providing guidance and mentoring for staff on financial management and budgeting.

• Manage and develop the accounting staff

• Provide accurate and timely information in a clear and concise format to support informed decision making across the organization.

• Prepare financial statements in accordance with GAAP, produce tax filings, and manage the annual audit.

• Collaborate across functions within the organization to support program delivery and the strategic mission of FIRST Washington. External collaboration with schools or teams as needed.

• Lead the process of developing the annual budget, in collaboration with the President and leadership team. 

• Assess organizational performance against the annual budget, grant budgets, and FIRST WA’s long-term strategy.

• Assess and determine improvements needed to internal processes and systems for the effectiveness and efficiency of financial tracking, planning and reporting.

• Oversee cash flow planning and ensure availability of funds as needed.

• Partner with the Board finance committee chair and engage of the board of directors to discuss short-, medium-, and long-term financial plans and projections.

• Ensure legal and regulatory compliance of all financial functions.

• Manage human resource and benefits functions. 

• Remain up to date on nonprofit finance best practices and state and federal laws regarding nonprofit operations.

What you bring:

Finance leader with at least 8 years of experience including accounting experience;

nonprofit experience strongly preferred.

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field; CPA certification helpful but not required.

• You love strategy and enjoy rolling up your sleeves to get things done.

• Experience with financial models, audits, forecasting, and reporting.

• Understanding of non-profit accounting, reporting, and regulations preferred. 

• Experience with fund accounting software and restricted grants required.

• Strong analytical skills combined with creativity and strategic thinking.

• You are an inspiring leader, collaborator, and are effective at mentoring and motivating others.

• You are an effective communicator, especially in conveying financial information to individuals who do not have finance expertise. 

• Teamwork and collaboration are important to you.

Working Conditions

· Hybrid work environment. . Must live in the State of Washington.

· Standard work week plus evenings, weekends, and overtime as needed for events and meetings.

Salary plus benefits:

• 401(k) after 1 year
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance