is seeking a Contract Controller

What is Unify America?

Unify America is a nonpartisan nonprofit on a mission to replace political fighting with problem solving. We are seeking a part time accounting wizard who will join our Administrative team to manage our accounting and audit processes, help us advance our mission to find solutions to our nation’s ills, and save our democracy.

Saving democracy? Seriously?

Reasonable question. We’ll get to that. Our ideal candidate knows the ins and outs of nonprofit accounting and can serve as a guide through the audit process. We need someone to help us on a part time and contract basis to assist our team as we begin ramping up our fundraising efforts.

Let’s get back to the saving democracy part.

Think Americans are hopelessly divided? We are on the way to proving that the vast majority of Americans (over 90%) share many of the same goals for the country. If that sounds crazy, then let us give you an example: we demonize each other over gun control legislation, but gun control isn’t the goal, it’s a tactic. Reducing violence is the goal, and most of us want that. We don’t realize that for most political issues we’re just arguing about tactics or even less productively, political personalities.

Our journey begins with an experience we call “The Unify Challenge.” Americans who are outside each other’s bubbles get together online and take a survey to help uncover how we not only share the same goals, but are grossly misinformed about the intentions of people “on the other side.” However, we don’t want the Unify Challenge to be a one-off activity before participants go back to the status quo. That’s where you come in.

That’s where you come in.

Sounds great. Tell me more about the role.

We are looking for a contractor to assist with all things finance and accounting. You will guide leadership through the budgeting process and mentor more junior team members. 

More specifically, you will:

• Take charge of all accounts, ledgers, and reporting systems to ensure compliance with appropriate GAAP standards and regulatory requirements

• Coordinate all audit and tax activity 

• Assist Unify America’s leadership team with annual budgeting and planning

• Coordinate and oversee all financial reporting and grants accounting

• Serve as a mentor for staff through finance and accounting processes

• Provide guidance to the senior leadership team for best practices related to budgeting and financial forecasting

This position reports to…

The Founder. You’ll regularly collaborate with senior leadership as well.

Are there specific qualifications?

Yes! We’re looking for someone who:

• Has at least 8 years of experience providing financial guidance for nonprofit organizations

• Has at least 2 years of leadership experience as a controller

• Preferably has a CPA  

• Is an expert at guiding audit activities, as well as managing reporting; budget development and analysis; and accounts payable and receivable

• Can guide the leadership team through tax compliance, specifically with Form 990

• Has extensive experience in QuickBooks Online

• Can easily explain complex concepts to individuals at all levels of the organization, including making presentations to the Board as needed

• Is flexible and awesome at prioritizing projects. You’ll need to be able to figure out which projects get priority and communicate to stakeholders the reasonable timeframes to finish assignments. 

• Is a great communicator. You’ll be communicating all kinds of things to all kinds of people, so the ability to communicate in writing, on the phone, and on Zoom clearly and concisely is important; as is writing and speaking in the kind of inclusive, welcoming, intelligent, conversational, and delightful voice that we want to be the hallmark of interacting with Unify America.

• Has an eye for great writing. Cover letters and language are really important for members of our team. 

• Can take initiative. You’re going to need to make stuff happen without a lot of management.  Collaboration, yes! Managerial oversight, not so much. No time for that. You need to be comfortable working toward goals independently, asking for help when you need it, and keeping others updated on what you’re getting done. 

• Is diligent about follow-through. Like, really diligent. It’s important that we don’t let tasks (or people) get forgotten.

• Welcomes and can give feedback. Our mantra is “Be Honest & Be Kind Simultaneously.”  You need to have the confidence and grace to be able to give feedback effectively and be able to take direct (but kindly worded) feedback constructively...and grow from it.

• Is relentless and innovative about solving problems. We’re looking for someone who is positive and can figure out how to get to YES.

• Is capable of, and willing to commit to embracing radical non-partisanship. Warmly welcoming all community members (no matter who they voted for) is central to our mission. You will interact with a lot of people - and you need to be deeply committed to being respectful to people with whom you may disagree on important topics.

Where is work?

We work remotely, and we welcome candidates from anywhere within the United States. In fact, we value having a team from different areas of the country.

What is the compensation? What are the expected hours?

We expect the hourly rate to be $75 to $85 per hour. This is a part time role, so it will likely be 10-20 hours per week.

I’m interested. How do I apply?

Great! Follow the link to upload your resume and cover letter that includes your hourly pay expectations. Give us three reasons why you’d be great for the job and if you like, share your political beliefs (liberal? conservative? something else entirely?). 

Most importantly, be yourself. (Yes, really! We are looking for people who are culture “adds,” not culture “fits.”) 

Unify America is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging at all levels of the organization in all of its forms. This includes a commitment to having a team filled with people at every point on the political spectrum.