Staff Accountant/Controller
YFU Global Office (Washington DC metro area)
Background
Youth For Understanding (YFU) advances intercultural understanding, life-long learning, global competence, mutual respect, and social responsibility through transformational educational exchanges for generations of youth, families, and communities, supported by dedicated volunteers and professional staff. YFU is a global non-profit community driven by the passion of people, consisting of 45 member organizations across six continents. As a leader in intercultural exchange and educational programs for 75 years, YFU has impacted around 310.000 students – and their host families, schools and networks – and more than 70.000 volunteers.
YFU’s Global Office, composed of the legal entities European Educational Exchanges - Youth for Understanding (EEE-YFU) and Youth For Understanding International Educational Services (YFU IES), is the global structure that works to enable the YFU membership worldwide to achieve our mission by providing leadership, critical services and opportunities to grow and thrive as (a) sustainable and quality organization(s).
To support the Global Office operations, through efficient financial management of our internal operations, as well as administration of centralized services for our network of member organizations, we are looking for an experienced and detail-oriented non-profit Staff Accountant/Controller (part time) to be based in the Washington, DC-metro area. The position is expected to start no later than mid-late March 2026.
Position
The Staff Accountant/Controller reports directly to the Secretary General (Director) and will be responsible for the financial functions of the organization, including payroll, accounting operations, bookkeeping, inter-country invoicing & reconciliations, financial reporting, project/grant tracking, corporate statutory and business compliance, and budget development.
Responsibilities
Manage all accounts, ledgers, and reporting systems to ensure compliance with appropriate GAAP standards and regulatory requirements:
- Manage accounts payable/receivable transactions
- Process staff and board expense reports and credit card payments
- Reconcile organization and ICDF trust fund monthly payables/receivables with bank statements
- In coordination with Global Office team members, coordinate invoicing, credits and related financial transactions in support of 3 USD/EUR member network financial clearings per year
- Maintain internal controls and safeguards for documentation of revenue and expenses against organizational budgets
- Maintain historic bank statement and administrative records – checking, credit card, investments
- Maintain consistent revenue/expense bookkeeping coding for reporting
- In consultation with Secretary General, monitor and report cashflow and bank balances, and coordinate adjustments and cash transfers
- Serve as primary contact with bank representatives and vendors as necessary
- Oversee month-end/year-end account closing, general ledger, accounts payable/receivable, and prepare accurate financial statements (balance sheets, income statements).
Ensure non-profit organizational audit, tax, and business compliance
- Work with external financial auditor to complete annual 990 and audit for organization and ICDF trust
- Manage tax and audit timelines to ensure compliance
- In consultation with the Secretary General, prepare summary of audit results for board and trustee reporting
- Maintain vendor contracts and records
- Manage calendar and related tasks to ensure DC local and Delaware business compliance
- Compile and coordinate monthly, quarterly, and end-of-financial-year reports
- Prepare quarterly balance sheet and profit/loss statements vs. budget projections for management and board
- Prepare and monitor internal grant/loan records and status reports
In consultation with the Secretary General and Global Office team members, prepare annual draft budgets
- Maintain all records related to closing out of each financial year
Develop and maintain financial policies, internal control procedures, and financial communications
- Disseminate and enforce internal financial procedures
- Conduct internal financial procedure orientation for staff and volunteers
Support human resource administration
- Process biweekly and monthly payroll and pay invoices in online payroll systems; maintain pay records
- Ensure timely distribution of employee and contractor annual tax statements
Candidate profile and qualifications
- Minimum 5+ years of progressive responsibilities and experience in non-profit financial management/accounting
- Bachelor’s degree; Accounting degree preferred; CPA a plus
- Proficiency in QuickBooks Online (QBO) software
- Strong knowledge of non-profit accounting principles (GAAP), trust accounting and financial reporting
- Experience with inter-company and multi-currency financial clearinghouse arrangements
- Intermediate level Microsoft Office 365 applications, especially Excel
- Demonstrated excellent oral and written communication skills
- Ability to develop long distance working relationships and cooperations in a multicultural environment
- Strong interest in and commitment to the organization’s mission and values
What we offer
- Part time contract 20 - 25 hours/week
- Option to enroll in medical/dental/vision health plan
- A competitive flat-rate salary based on experience and qualifications
- An attractive level of autonomy and responsibility in an intercultural, collaborative and energetic working environment
- Work in a small organization with a diverse and committed team to deliver impact
- Opportunity to contribute to a mission-driven organization with global operations
- Starting date: as soon as possible;
- work location: Initially remote, in Washington, DC and nearby metro area
Application
Please submit a complete application that includes your CV/resume, a motivation letter and your salary expectations by email to Gregory MATHESON, Secretary General (finance@yfu.world ), reference “Staff Accountant”.
Employment with YFU IES is at-will. This means your employment is for an indefinite period and is subject to termination by you or YFU IES, with or without cause, with or without notice, and at any time.
YFU encourages any person with the required qualifications to apply, without distinction to gender, disability, social or ethnic origins, religion, convictions or sexual orientation. YFU recognizes different types of experience, including professional and volunteering.