We are hiring a full-time Controller to join the Finance Department at Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee.
Who we are: For nearly 50 years, Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee has dedicated itself to nourishing and empowering their neighbors so they can thrive. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Second Harvest implements sustainable solutions to food insecurity through a strategically selected network of more than 600 partners across 46 counties in Middle and West Tennessee. Our partners include food pantries, congregate meal sites, shelters, childcare facilities, senior centers, group homes, and youth enrichment programs. For more information about Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee, its mission, and programs, please visit secondharvestmidtn.org.
What you’ll do:
Summary: The Controller serves as the organization’s financial operations leader, responsible for ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and reliability of all accounting, financial reporting, and compliance activities across a dynamic nonprofit with complex state and federal funding streams and social enterprise operations.
This role oversees the full accounting cycle, maintains a strong internal control environment, ensures compliance with GAAP, Uniform Guidance, state grant regulations, and internal policies, and strengthens financial transparency across the organization.
The Controller partners closely with the CFO and leadership team to support strategic decision-making and provide financial insights that improve program performance, mission impact, and sustainability. This leader promotes accountability, operational excellence, and a workplace culture grounded in inclusion, and belonging.
Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Accounting Leadership
- Lead all core accounting operations, including general ledger, cash management, A/P, A/R, fixed assets, and revenue recognition.
- Develop, enhance, and maintain accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls that ensure compliance, accuracy, and operational efficiency.
- Direct the monthly and annual close processes, including journal entries, reconciliations, variance analysis, and financial reporting packages.
- Ensure financial systems are optimized, well‑maintained, and support real‑time visibility and accountability.
Federal & State Grant Accounting (Expanded Accountability)
- Serve as the organization’s authority on federal and state grant accounting, compliance, and allowable cost standards.
- Ensure full compliance with Uniform Guidance, state grant rules, cost allocation standards, documentation requirements, and audit readiness.
- Oversee end‑to‑end grant accounting, including grant budget development and proposal support; proper allocation and coding of expenditures; and financial reporting and reimbursement requests to state/federal funders.
- Prepare and maintain detailed Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) documentation and single audit support schedules.
- Partner with program leaders to monitor spending, proactively identify risks, and guide financial decision-making related to program delivery.
Annual Program Costing & Operational Analytics
- Lead annual and ongoing program cost analysis to determine true cost of service delivery, including direct and indirect expense allocation.
- Work with program leaders to interpret program financial results and identify opportunities for efficiency, cost reduction, and revenue optimization.
- Develop reports and dashboards that enable leadership to understand program trends, cost drivers, and financial performance across key mission areas.
- Support the CFO in developing long‑term financial models tied to program expansion, social enterprise growth, and strategic initiatives.
Compliance, Audit & Regulatory Oversight
- Prepare and/or oversee preparation of federal, state, and local financial filings (excluding HR‑specific filings).
- Serve as primary liaison for external auditors for the organization’s annual financial statement audit, single audit and Form 990 filing.
- Prepare detailed audit schedules, reconciliations, and documentation required for federal, state, and private grant reviews.
- Serves as primary contact for cash management and credit card services with our banking relationships including any required compliance with debt covenants.
- Maintain and enforce organizational compliance with internal financial policies and procedures.
Budgeting, Forecasting & Organization‑Wide Support
- Support the CFO and leadership team in the annual budgeting process by preparing forecasts, modeling scenarios, and providing departmental budget guidance.
- Provide high‑quality financial analysis to program teams, development staff, and leadership to support organizational priorities, grant applications, and operational planning.
Technology, Systems & Process Improvement
- Oversee the financial technology ecosystem, including invoice workflow platforms, automated A/P systems, and expense management tools.
- Lead continuous improvement efforts aimed at automating manual processes, strengthening internal controls, and enhancing financial reporting capabilities.
- Collaborate with Technology to ensure financial systems integrations are reliable, secure, and aligned with organizational needs.
Leadership & Team Management
- Provide training, mentorship, cross‑training, and clear expectations to build a resilient and high‑performing finance team.
- Champion an inclusive, mission‑aligned culture where staff feel safe, valued, and empowered.
Other duties as assigned.
When & Where:
Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 4:30pm.
Occasional duties may be necessary, as well as responding to issues, outside of normal working hours (e.g., disaster response, community events, etc.). Occasional evenings and/or weekends may be required for meetings or special events.
Essential business/ first responder: In instances of a federal, state or locally declared emergency, Second Harvest is typically considered an essential business service and emergency responder. All employees may be required to perform regular or emergent duties on-site. Employee safety is balanced with business and community necessity. Some positions are more likely to be required on-site than others.
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or related areas required; Master’s degree preferred; CPA Required.
Experience: 5+ years of progressive experience in accounting positions with 2+ years of direct managerial experience in accounting units required. Strongly preferred: non-profit accounting, federal/state grant management, single audit experience.
Skills & Capabilities:
- Deep knowledge of GAAP, internal controls, and nonprofit accounting principles
- Advanced Excel and strong financial systems proficiency; NetSuite experience a plus
- Excellent analytical, problem‑solving, and communication skills; strong intellectual curiosity
- Strong time management and project leadership abilities
- Ability to clearly explain financial concepts to non-financial stakeholders
Allowable Substitutions: Combination of education, experience, and/or training that provides the required knowledge and skills for the position may be considered in lieu of education/experience at the organization’s discretion.
Competencies: Coaching/Developing Others, Leadership/Strategic Thinking, Influence, Project Management
Other requirements: Our pre-hire process requires acceptable results from the following: professional reference feedback, criminal background, Motor Vehicle Record. Current Driver’s License and automobile insurance are also required. Criminal backgrounds are evaluated on a case-by-case basis considering several factors (timing, frequency, severity and job relation).
What Second Harvest has to offer:
Work with a purpose: As one of middle Tennessee’s largest nonprofits, our local hunger relief work is uniquely rewarding, hands on and solutions oriented. We are innovative, mission-focused, diverse, collaborative, values-driven and focused on results. A career with Second Harvest ensures that you not only earn a paycheck, but also help your local community through meaningful work. If you are passionate about serving your neighbors in need and are committed to our mission to nourish and empower people, we invite you to join our 120+ person team in the fight against hunger, as we work to achieve our vision of a community where everyone has equitable access to the food and resources they need.
Award winning workplace: we are a best-in-class workplace because we are passionate and people focused – we listen, respect, care and challenge each other, so that our neighbors can count on us. Our employees have identified us among The Tennessean’s Top Workplaces based solely on employee surveys and feedback. There is ample opportunity to be engaged, have work-life-balance and grow with Second Harvest.
Compensation & Benefits: Second Harvest is proud to offer rich and affordable total compensation packages. Full-time employment includes 34+ days off, medical (employee-only is 100% employer paid), dental, vision, 403b retirement (up to 3% match, 5% base, length of service vesting), disability insurance (short and long term) and long-term care insurance.
DEIB & Equal Employment Opportunity: Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee provides equal employment to all applicants and employees based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. We do not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status. We believe that inclusion and belonging strengthen our team, drive innovation, and enhance our ability to serve our community.
Job Type: Full-time
Benefits:
- 403(b)
- 403(b) matching
- Dental insurance
- Disability insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid sick time
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
