Vice President, Controller

Position Overview

About Rare:

Rare inspires change so people and nature thrive. For 50 years, across 60 countries, we have inspired and empowered millions of people and their communities to shift their behaviors and practices to protect our shared planet. We are a global leader in driving social change for people and nature and believe that the cumulative power of individual and community action is a vital pathway to safeguarding and restoring our shared waters, lands, and climate.  Rare’s organizational culture is results-oriented and entrepreneurial, and our global programs prioritize climate change, fisheries and marine conservation, sustainable agriculture, and food security. 

 

Position Summary:

Reporting to the President, the Vice President, Controller will lead the organization’s global accounting function and ensure the integrity, transparency, and compliance of Rare’s accounting operations. 

 

This role is responsible for overseeing all accounting activities across Rare’s U.S. and international field offices, ensuring strong internal controls, high-quality financial reporting, and compliance with U.S. GAAP and global regulatory and donor requirements. 

This is an outstanding opportunity for a seasoned leader with deep technical accounting expertise and global nonprofit experience to join a mission-driven, high-impact organization. The Vice President, Controller will bring a hands-on leadership style, with the ability to operate both strategically and tactically, and will partner closely with the President, executive leadership, and Board to strengthen financial stewardship and support organizational growth. 

 

The Vice President, Controller will hold responsibility for a globally distributed accounting team and play a critical role in maintaining a scalable, compliant, and efficient financial infrastructure to support Rare’s continued expansion. This role requires strong cross-cultural leadership and experience working within a centralized global finance model supporting international field offices. 

 

Key Responsibilities:

Global Accounting & Financial Operations 

• Oversee all global accounting operations, including general ledger, consolidations, accounts payable, payroll, and financial close processes across the centralized team and international field offices  

• Ensure the integrity of financial records in accordance with U.S. GAAP and nonprofit accounting standards  

• Lead the preparation of accurate and timely consolidated financial statements, including multi-currency translation and eliminations  

• Maintain and continuously improve global accounting policies, procedures, and standards 

 

Financial Reporting, Compliance & Audit 

• Lead all external audit activities, including financial statement audits, Single Audit, and IRS Form 990  

• Ensure compliance with U.S. federal regulations (e.g., 2 CFR 200 / Uniform Guidance) and international donor requirements (e.g., USAID, EU, UN)  

• Oversee indirect cost rate development and management (NICRA)  

• Serve as the primary liaison to external auditors and regulatory bodies 

 

Internal Controls & Risk Management 

• Design, implement, and maintain current systems of internal controls to safeguard organizational assets and ensure appropriate use of donor funds  

• Strengthen and scale Rare’s global control environment across field offices and the centralized team 

• Partner with leadership to enhance enterprise risk management practices and financial compliance frameworks  

 

Global Operations & Field Office Integration 

• Oversee accounting operations across Rare’s international field offices, ensuring consistency in accounting practices, controls, and reporting  

• Support country program teams through financial oversight, training, and capacity building  

• Ensure effective global cash management, including funding flows, banking, and liquidity across regions  

• Lead financial integration efforts for new country operations or expansion  

 

Leadership & Organizational Partnership 

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing global accounting team  

• Serve as a trusted advisor to the President and leadership team on accounting and compliance matters  

• Provide accounting insights and reporting to support executive decision-making and Board engagement  

 

Systems & Process Excellence