Precision Agriculture for Development - Global Controller

Summary - 

- Precision Agriculture for Development, Inc. (PAD) is an early-stage high-growth global technology enterprise. We use the latest research and technological advances to provide customized advice to smallholder farmers so they can make better production decisions that increase crop yields and income. We are supported by world-renowned academics from Harvard and other top universities and are backed by leading private foundations.

- PAD is looking for an India-based experienced Controller to be responsible for all finance, accounting, and reporting activities across the global organization and to ensure that PAD, as it rapidly expands, has the systems in place to support effective program implementation and to produce flawless audits. This is a hands-on position responsible for all day-to-day finance operations and would be suitable for a professional excited about fast growth opportunities and with aspirations to become a CFO. Given the global nature of our work, the position would require familiarity with working across currencies and comfort communicating across time zones. We offer competitive compensation and opportunities for international travel.

Background - 

- It's possible to boost production of major crops by 30% and reduce environmental impact simply by managing agricultural inputs better. Part of this promise has already been achieved in developed countries, where precision agriculture technologies have improved targeting of inputs to local conditions.

- PAD is adapting precision agriculture for smallholder farmers in the developing world. We are building an intelligent platform that provides individualized production recommendations based on theory and data. Our vision is better livelihoods for the poor, drawn from a more productive, environmentally-friendly landscape.

- Our ambitions are large: our funders include Silicon Valley venture capitalists and technology entrepreneurs, and we believe that technological innovations create new scope and opportunities to address rural poverty and close the global food production gap. We aim to improve the lives of 100 million farmers in developing countries. To reach our goals, we will tap new technologies (like microsatellites, drones, smartphones, and machine vision), which have the promise to vastly improve the intelligence of our service and the quality of recommendations we provide to farmers.

- PAD's senior leadership team includes professors and global experts in technology and development with considerable combined experience in sub-Saharan Africa and India as well as deep expertise in data sciences and monitoring and evaluation. The board includes Professor Michael Kremer (Harvard University), Professor Shawn Cole (Harvard Business School), Professor Daniel Bj- rkegren (Brown University), and Heiner Baumann (Harvard Business School alum, former McKinsey).

- PAD is a non-profit organization headquartered and incorporated in the United States with ties to a new Section 8 Company in India and a branch office in Kenya. In India, we currently maintain offices in Ahmedabad and Bhubaneswar.

Responsibilities - 

- Develop and implement internal controls and accounting procedures as necessary for a rapidly growing organization to ensure timely and accurate reporting.

- Oversee all accounts, ledgers, and reporting systems ensuring compliance with appropriate generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) standards and regulatory requirements.

- Supply the board and management with tools and timely and accurate information to make great business decisions; continually refine board reporting and dashboards to provide effective tools.

- Oversee all project/program and grants accounting coordination and compliance.

- Coordinate budgeting and annual independent audits.

- Oversee PAD's use of financial information systems.

- Review draft contracts.

- Prepare all financial information for funding proposals, annual reports, and other special reports.

- Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local corporate, tax, labor, and business legal requirements in US and internationally.

- Oversee organizational costs with eye towards strategic cost management.

- Prepare forecasting and cash flow analysis reports.

- Manage and track the performance of invested assets in keeping with policies and guidelines.

Qualifications

- Minimum of a BA; CPA preferred, knowledge of GAAP.

- At least 8 years of demonstrated hands-on experience in financial management and accounting.

- Solid experience implementing accounting systems in a growing organization.

- Significant experience with international nonprofit organizations with multiple projects and grants.

- Technology savvy with experience selecting and overseeing financial software installations; advanced knowledge of accounting and reporting software.

- Quick learner and problem-solver who can identify areas for improvement and deliver results.

- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to function collaboratively and effectively in a team environment.

- Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, effective management of multiple tasks, and successful completion of projects in accordance with deadlines.

- Strong written, verbal, and listening communications skills with experience in effectively communicating key data to senior management, board, or other outside partners.

- Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and commitment to PAD's mission; a proactive, hands-on strategic thinker.

- Adaptable and team player who is interested in being part of a fast-paced, growing, and diverse team with a start-up atmosphere.

- Experience with accounting practices in India, the US, and Kenya a plus.

- Experience in a rapidly growing startup a plus.

- Experience running Human Resource functions a plus.