Internal Comptroller

About Ecology Project International (EPI)

EPI is an international non-profit organization dedicated to addressing critical conservation issues through field-based partnerships between local experts and high school students. Across programs in the United States and Latin America, participants engage in hands-on science and conservation to protect threatened species and habitats while developing as the next generation of environmental leaders. Learn more at: www.ecologyproject.org

Position Summary

EPI is seeking a highly independent finance professional to lead the execution of its accounting operations, financial controls, and grant compliance across U.S. and international programs. This role is responsible for ensuring financial accuracy, regulatory compliance, and audit readiness while strengthening systems and processes as organizational needs evolve. As the organization’s primary hands-on finance lead, the Internal Comptroller translates financial strategy into reliable day-to-day operations. This is a high-autonomy role in a lean, mission-driven organization, offering the opportunity to take full ownership of financial operations and contribute to strengthening EPI’s financial systems over time.

Key Responsibilities

Accounting Operations

• Lead full-cycle accounting, including month-end close, financial statements, and reconciliations
• Manage accounts payable/receivable and maintain the chart of accounts

Internal Controls & Compliance

• Maintain and strengthen internal controls and financial processes
• Ensure compliance with GAAP, federal grant regulations (e.g., 2 CFR §200), and nonprofit standards
• Conduct internal reviews and identify areas for financial and operational improvement

Grant Financial Management

• Track grant budgets and expenditures, ensuring compliance with donor requirements
• Prepare financial reports for funders and support program teams on restricted funding

Audit & Financial Advisory

• Lead audit preparation and serve as primary liaison with external auditors
• Provide financial analysis and recommendations to leadership

Additional Duties

• Participate in a shared emergency response system as needed
• Other tasks as assigned by supervisor

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or related field, or equivalent experience
• 3+ years of progressive accounting experience, including full-cycle accounting and internal controls
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage accounting operations with minimal oversight
• Experience with GAAP and financial reporting
• Strong proficiency in Excel and accounting software
• Professional working proficiency in English (at least CEFR B2)
• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural, distributed environment
• Commitment to EPI’s mission and values

Preferred Qualifications 

• CPA or equivalent professional certification
• Experience with grant compliance and reporting (e.g., 2 CFR §200 / Uniform Guidance)
• Experience supporting audits and working with external auditors
• Experience in nonprofit and/or multi-entity or international operations
• Spanish–English bilingual

Key Competencies

• Ability to identify risks and improve financial systems and controls
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Clear and effective communication with non-finance staff and leadership
• High attention to detail in complex, multi-program environments
• Self-directed and able to manage competing priorities independently

Reporting & Structure

• Reports to: Finance and Administration Global Manager
• Provides functional oversight and guidance to staff with bookkeeping and accounting responsibilities, including coordination with shared services support

Location & Schedule

• Location: Must be able to work from one of EPI’s offices in:
  • Missoula, Montana (USA)
  • La Paz, Baja California Sur (Mexico)
  • San José / Heredia (Costa Rica)
• Schedule: Full-time (40 hours/week), typically Monday–Friday
• Work arrangement:
  • Year 1: primarily in-office with limited remote flexibility
  • After Year 1: up to 80% remote, based on mutual agreement

Compensation

Local market-based starting salary according to working location and DOE: 

US – $71,870 annually ($5,989/Month Gross Salary)

EPI offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Employer-paid health insurance (employee coverage)
• Matching Retirement contributions of up to 3% (where applicable)
• Generous paid time off, holidays, and leave benefits
• Professional development support
• Flexible work arrangements over time

While our salaries are positioned below some private-sector roles, EPI is committed to transparent pay structures, strong benefits, and consistent year-over-year salary growth as we work toward market alignment.