Vice President, Accounting

About Environmental Defense Fund, Incorporated

Environmental Defense Fund, Incorporated (EDF) is a global nonprofit organization tackling climate change, the greatest challenge of our time. Its bold, science-driven, and economically sound solutions put people at the center of all it does. With a global presence in more than 30 countries, EDF delivers results by partnering across sectors and communities to stabilize the climate, strengthen people and nature’s ability to thrive, and support people’s health.

Headquartered in New York City, EDF employs more than 1,000 staff in over 30 countries, including scientists, economists, policy experts, and attorneys, and is supported by more than 3.5 million members, supporters, and activists.

EDF’s work focuses on three areas:

• Energy transition: expanding clean energy, cutting methane emissions, scaling sustainable fuels, and making transportation cleaner.
• People and nature: sustainable agriculture and fisheries, resilient water supplies, natural climate solutions, flood-risk reduction, and healthy forests.
• Healthy communities: safer chemicals and cleaner air.

EDF began in 1967 out of the fight to ban the pesticide DDT, and it has spent nearly six decades turning ideas into lasting results: from the soil to the sky, and from local communities to corporate boardrooms, governments, and even space. Under its Vision 2030 strategic plan, EDF is going all in on climate, centering people in its work, and becoming a truly global organization rather than a U.S. organization working around the world. That is EDF’s mission: A vital Earth. For everyone.

Learn more about Environmental Defense Fund at https://www.edf.org/.

The Opportunity 

The Vice President, Accounting (General Ledger, Audits, Compliance, and Treasury) is a senior finance leader responsible for the integrity, transparency, and strategic oversight of the organization’s financial records. This role ensures best in class accounting practices, regulatory compliance, and treasury management while serving as a key advisor to executive leadership.

This position fosters collaborative relationships across departments to align financial stewardship with mission impact and long-term sustainability. This role requires exceptional accounting and reporting skills, leadership ability, excellent communication skills, and a deep understanding of internal controls and the ability to improve processes.

The Vice President, Accounting reports to the EVP and Chief Financial Officer and has three direct reports.

Key Responsibilities:

Financial Leadership & Oversight

• Provide strategic direction over the general ledger, financial reporting, compliance, and treasury functions.
• Ensure the integrity, accuracy, and timeliness of all financial information.
• Serve as a key advisor to the CFO and executive team on financial risks and opportunities.
• Lead and develop a high-performing accounting and finance team.
• Participate in advancing EDF’s organizational effectiveness and culture goals, so people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected, included, and empowered to address environmental and organizational challenges in ways that align with EDF values.

 General Ledger & Close Governance 

• Oversee and optimize the monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes.
• Establish and enforce accounting policies in accordance with GAAP and nonprofit standards.
• Ensure scalability and consistency of accounting operations across the organization.
• Provide oversight on complex accounting issues and technical interpretations.

Financial Reporting & Insights

• Oversee preparation of internal and external financial reports, including board and committee materials.
• Ensure clarity, accuracy, and relevance of financial reporting for executive decision making.
• Translate financial data into strategic recommendations.

Compliance, Controls & Audit

• Ensure full compliance with nonprofit regulations including Form 990, CGA, FBAR, and other filings.
• Provide executive oversight of the annual audit as well as various agreed procedure audits.
• Design enhanced internal control processes and maintain a robust internal control environment and risk management framework. 

Treasury & Financial Stewardship 

• Oversee cash flow strategy, liquidity planning, and investment oversight.
• Ensure effective management of banking relationships and financial institutions.
• Establish policies for cash management, investments, reserves, and financial risk mitigation.

Process & Systems Transformation

• Lead continuous improvement and transformation of finance processes.
• Drive adoption and optimization of financial systems and reporting tools.
• Champion automation, scalability, and data driven decision-making.
• Establish best practices across finance functions.

Candidate Profile

We recognize that there is a spectrum of lived and professional experience that will set candidates up for success in this role. While no one candidate will have every qualification outlined in the position description, ideal candidates will display the following professional qualifications, personal qualities, skills, and characteristics:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or related field required.
• CPA certification required, MBA preferred.
• Minimum of 15+ years of progressive accounting experience, including at least five years in public accounting and five years in a leadership role.
• Experience in a large nonprofit with complex funding structures required.
• Strong knowledge of nonprofit accounting standards, Uniform Guidance, and donor/grant compliance.
• Deep knowledge of GAAP and strong knowledge of internal controls, and regulatory requirements.
• Proven experience overseeing accounting function, reporting, treasury, and audits.
• Experience with nonprofit ERP Systems (e.g., NetSuite, NetSuite Planning & Budgeting, etc.).
• Comprehensive analytical skills with strong attention to detail and the ability to identify issues, analyze root causes, and develop practical solutions.
• Experience working with executive leadership, audit and finance committees, and Board of Trustees.
• Demonstrated sense of urgency to drive timely decisions, meet deadlines, and achieve goals in a complex environment.
• Proven time management skills and the ability to juggle multiple responsibilities, working with individuals across various time zones.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively interact with stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
• Demonstrated integrity, ethics, and professionalism in handling confidential information and sensitive situations.
• Proven ability to lead, coach, and develop high-performing teams, fostering accountability, collaboration, and continuous professional growth.
• Demonstrated self-awareness, cultural competency, and inclusiveness, and the ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across all cultures and backgrounds.
• Strong proficiency in audit software, data analytics tools, and Microsoft Office suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, etc.).
• Willingness and ability to travel up to 10% of the time domestically and internationally, as needed.

Compensation and Benefits

EDF offers a strong total rewards package encompassing competitive salary, robust benefits, and professional development opportunities consistent with a modern global organization. The organization considers factors such as candidate experience, skills, training, internal team equity, and local norms. Salary for the role is anticipated to range from $248,000 to $268,000.

Contact 

DSG | Koya has been exclusively retained for this engagement, which is being led by Molly Brennan, Tyler Ridgeway, and Rebecca Brodish. Submit a compelling cover letter and resume by filling out our Talent Profile. All inquiries are strictly confidential.

DSG | Koya is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals living with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual living with a disability and need assistance expressing interest online, please email [email protected]. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.

Environmental Defense Fund is an equal opportunity employer where an applicant’s qualifications are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other basis prohibited by law.