Vice President of Accounting and Controls

WHO WE ARE

The YMCA of San Diego County is one of the region's largest and most trusted nonprofit organizations, dedicated to strengthening communities and helping individuals reach their full potential through programs that support healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. Since its founding in 1882, the YMCA has created opportunities for children, families, seniors, and individuals of all backgrounds to learn, grow, and thrive.

As the largest YMCA association in the nation, the YMCA of San Diego County serves nearly 10% of the region's population each year through a broad network of family and fitness centers, camps, childcare sites, aquatics facilities, and community-based programs.

With more than 5,500 employees and the support of 46 volunteer Board members, the YMCA remains committed to building a healthier, more connected, and more resilient community.

Serving hundreds of thousands of individuals annually, the YMCA's work is guided by three core areas of impact: Youth Development, Healthy Living, and Social Responsibility.

Through partnerships with schools, healthcare providers, government agencies, businesses, and nonprofit organizations, the YMCA addresses critical community needs, including early childhood education, youth development, mental wellness, chronic disease prevention, food security, and water safety.

Regardless of their ability to pay, the YMCA is dedicated to ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to belong, contribute, and thrive.

LEADERSHIP & CULTURE

The YMCA of San Diego County is led by a collaborative executive leadership team and a dedicated Board of Directors committed to advancing the organization's mission and long-term sustainability.

The Vice President of Accounting and Controls will report to Chief Financial Officer Jonathan Hall, a respected leader with more than 20 years of executive financial leadership across public, private, and nonprofit organizations.

Since joining the YMCA, Jonathan has helped strengthen the organization's financial position, transforming multi-year operating losses into positive financial performance while supporting strategic growth and operational excellence.

Together, the leadership team fosters a culture of collaboration, innovation, accountability, and service, empowering employees to make a meaningful impact throughout the communities they serve.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• Salary – $175,000-$225,000
• Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer contribution
• Generous paid time off and holidays
• Complimentary YMCA membership for employees and eligible household members
• Professional development and tuition reimbursement opportunities
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and wellness resources
• Discounts on YMCA programs, childcare, and camps

LOCATION

This is on-site role at administrative headquarters of the YMCA of San Diego County at: 3708 Ruffin Road, San Diego, CA 92123

POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting directly to the Chief Financial Officer, the Vice President of Accounting and Controls (VP) serves as a strategic and operations finance leader responsible for overseeing the YMCA of San Diego County's accounting, payroll, financial reporting, and internal controls.

Leading a high-performing team of four direct reports, including the Assistant Controller, Technical Accounting Manager, Director of Payroll, and Vendor Manager, the VP ensures financial excellence across one of the nation's largest YMCA associations, with approximately $380 million in annual revenue and more than 5,500 employees.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced accounting executive who enjoys building scalable systems, strengthening internal controls, and partnering with organizational leaders to support strategic growth.

The VP will modernize accounting operations, leverage technology and automation, oversee complex government funding compliance, and provide financial insights that support sound decision-making throughout the organization.

As a trusted advisor and thought partner to the CFO and executive leadership team, the VP will play a key role in ensuring the YMCA's long-term financial strength while advancing its mission to strengthen communities throughout San Diego County.

Year One Priorities

• Build strong, collaborative relationships across the accounting and finance team, executive leadership, and key operational departments to gain a deep understanding of the YMCA's people, culture, and day-to-day financial operations.
• Evaluate accounting workflows, strengthen internal controls, and update financial policies and procedures in partnership with the CFO and the Board's Finance and Audit Committees to support organizational growth and governance.
• Identify and implement opportunities to streamline accounting processes, leverage automation and AI, and improve operational efficiency, with the goal of reducing the monthly financial close by two to three days.
• Establish strong relationships with the Board's Audit Committee while enhancing reporting processes that support effective governance, a successful annual audit, and continued organizational compliance.
• Assess the accounting function, team structure, and workflows, implementing targeted improvements that enhance reporting accuracy, scalability, succession planning, and long-term department effectiveness.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide strategic leadership for all accounting operations, including general ledger, financial reporting, payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and fixed assets.
• Ensure accurate and timely financial reporting while maintaining compliance with GAAP, nonprofit accounting standards, federal regulations (esp. 2 CFR 200), and internal policies.
• Lead the annual financial statement audit, Single Audit, Form 990 preparation, and relationships with external auditors.
• Design, implement, and continuously improve internal controls, accounting policies, and financial procedures to support organizational growth and minimize risk.
• Partner closely with the CFO to provide financial analysis, forecasting, dashboards, and recommendations that support executive and Board decision-making.
• Oversee accounting for federal grants, government contracts, and restricted funding, ensuring compliance with Uniform Guidance and donor requirements.
• Champion the use of technology, automation, and AI to strengthen financial operations, improve efficiency, and enhance reporting capabilities.
• Lead the annual budgeting process in partnership with department leaders and provide ongoing financial analysis throughout the fiscal year.
• Recruit, coach, mentor, and develop a high-performing accounting and payroll team while fostering a collaborative, service-oriented culture.
• Collaborate with leaders across the organization to support strategic initiatives, operational improvements, and the YMCA's long-term financial sustainability.

BACKGROUND PROFILE

• Passion for the YMCA of San Diego County's mission and a desire to strengthen communities through sound financial stewardship.
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field required.
• Progressive accounting and finance leadership experience within a large, complex organization, including nonprofit, corporate, healthcare, education, manufacturing, retail, or other sophisticated operating environments.
• Demonstrated success leading accounting operations, financial reporting, internal controls, audits, and compliance within a multi-entity or highly regulated organization.
• A hands-on, roll-up-your-sleeves leader who enjoys balancing strategic leadership with active involvement in solving problems, improving processes, and supporting the day-to-day work of the finance team.
• Proven experience leading and developing high-performing accounting teams while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and exceptional customer service.
• Strong business acumen with the ability to translate complex financial information into meaningful insights that support executive leadership, operational decision-making, and long-term organizational strategy.
• Demonstrated success implementing process improvements, strengthening internal controls, leveraging technology, and building scalable financial operations in a growing organization.
• Experience working in complex funding environments, including government grants, contracts, or other regulated revenue sources, is valued; candidates with comparable experience managing sophisticated financial operations in the corporate sector are also encouraged to apply.
• Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills with the confidence to partner effectively with executive leadership, department leaders, external auditors, and the Board of Directors.