Are you passionate about economic fairness and social justice? Do you want to improve the lives of working people and strengthen the labor movement? If you answered, “Yes!” then the AFL-CIO may be the right place for you. We are the largest federation of labor unions in the United States, and our team of dynamic professionals is dedicated to growing worker power and ensuring every working person has a voice on the job. When you work at the AFL-CIO, you’re more than just an individual employee—you’re helping to lead a movement with a proud history and a bright future ahead.
This position reports directly to the Executive Assistant to the Secretary-Treasurer.
Starting salary: $184,820.39
Position Summary:
The Controller is expected to safeguard organizational assets, maintain strong financial controls, ensure regulatory compliance, and provide reliable financial guidance to support leadership and governance.
The Controller oversees the organization’s accounting operations, financial reporting, cash management, regulatory compliance, and internal controls and works closely with the Organization’s budget team. This position leads a seven-member accounting team and ensures accurate, timely financial information to support executive leadership and strategic decision-making.
The Controller works closely with the Secretary-Treasurer, other elected leadership, governing bodies, senior-level employees, external auditors, financial institutions, and affiliated organizations to ensure sound financial stewardship, regulatory compliance, and effective financial planning.
Primary Responsibilities:
Accounting Operations & Financial Reporting
- Lead, develop, and manage a seven-member accounting team overseeing general ledger maintenance, subsidiary ledgers, and financial reporting.
- Oversee monthly and annual financial statements in accordance with GAAP and applicable regulatory requirements.
- Establish, maintain, and monitor effective internal controls and safeguard organizational assets, revenues, expenditures, and budgets.
- Monitor financial performance, analyze variances, and communicate trends and recommendations to leadership to support decision making.
- Oversee accounting operations for affiliated organizations, including the Union Community Fund and National Labor College, and ensure required Form 990 filings are completed.
- Oversee the management accounting systems and related platforms, including Microsoft Dynamics GP, accounts payable and receivable, Concur, ADP, online banking, and Quickbase.
Financial Planning & Cash Management
- Oversee cash flow, operating and investment accounts, and investment performance in accordance with organizational policies.
- Lead budgeting, revenue and cost projections, financial analysis, and annual planning activities.
- Monitor membership trends and provide real-time reports to leadership, prepare annual membership reports, calculate royalty payments, and process required defined benefit plan contributions.
- Support the Secretary-Treasurer in presenting financial information to leadership and governing bodies.
Regulatory Compliance & Reporting
- Oversee required federal, state, and local filings, including IRS Forms 990, 1099, and W-2; Department of Labor Form LM-2; Form 5500; and applicable DC reporting requirements.
- Ensure compliance with IRS and Department of Labor regulations, the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act (LMRDA), and other applicable laws and organizational policies.
- Calculate delegate counts and voting strength for quadrennial conventions and support related financial and administrative requirements.
External Relationships & Fiduciary Responsibilities
- Coordinate external audits and maintain relationships with auditors, financial institutions, consultants, and service providers.
- Review financial information for affiliated organizations and provide financial analysis and guidance to leadership and board representatives.
- Serve as an internal auditor and finance committee member for ITUC.
- Serve as Administrative Manager for the Staff Retirement Plan, Deferred Compensation Plan, and Health & Welfare Fund, including related fiduciary and board responsibilities.
- Serve on the board of the Deferred Compensation Plan.
- Manage organizational insurance renewals and related claims, including Union Liability and Labor Organization Bond policies.
Strategic Projects & Process Improvement
- Evaluate replacement of accounting software in anticipation of Microsoft Dynamics GP reaching the end of its support lifecycle.
- Coordinate the organization’s loan refinancing and Labor Organization Bond renewal.
- Identify opportunities to strengthen internal controls, improve reporting, modernize systems, and increase operational efficiency.
- Lead strategic financial initiatives to improve organizational accountability.
General
Qualifications:
Education & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required.
- 10–15 years of progressive accounting or financial management experience, including leadership of complex accounting operations.
- Experience in labor unions or labor organizations strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated expertise in financial reporting, budgeting, cash management, internal controls, audits, and regulatory compliance.
- Familiarity with LMRDA reporting and Department of Labor, IRS, Federal Election Commission, and state and local filing requirements preferred.
- CPA preferred, not required.
Technical & Leadership Skills
- Proficiency in Microsoft Dynamics GP, Excel, and Google Workspace, with experience across accounting, payroll, expense management, and banking systems.
- Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and project management skills.
- Proven ability to lead and develop an accounting team, manage competing priorities, and meet deadlines.
- Excellent written, verbal, visual, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex financial information to elected leadership and governing bodies.
- High ethical standards, sound judgment, discretion, and a commitment to financial accuracy and accountability.
- Highly adaptable and flexible with an ability to perform effectively in high-pressure situations.
Mission Alignment
- Demonstrated commitment to the principles and values of organized labor and the Union’s mission of advancing economic and social justice.
- Commitment to transparency, responsible financial stewardship, and the effective use of organizational resources.