Application Guide
How to Apply for Director, External Audits
at Environmental Defense Fund
🏢 About Environmental Defense Fund
Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) is a globally recognized nonprofit that combines rigorous science with market-based solutions to tackle the climate crisis. Their unique approach—partnering with businesses, governments, and communities—offers a chance to drive systemic change while working in a mission-driven, collaborative environment. EDF’s remote-first culture and commitment to diversity make it an attractive place for professionals seeking impact and flexibility.
About This Role
As Director of External Audits, you will lead the annual financial statement audits for EDF and its affiliate, Environmental Defense Action Fund, ensuring accuracy and compliance with GAAP and federal regulations. You’ll also oversee IRS Form 990 preparation and government grant audits, directly strengthening the financial integrity that underpins EDF’s environmental programs. This role is critical to maintaining donor trust and regulatory compliance across a complex, multi-entity nonprofit structure.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might start with a check-in with your audit team (remote) to review progress on grant audit schedules, followed by a meeting with a program manager to clarify compliance requirements for a new federal grant. Midday, you’d review workpapers for the Form 990 and discuss a proposed internal control enhancement with the CFO. Afternoon could involve a conference call with external auditors to resolve a technical accounting issue, ending with drafting a risk assessment memo for the audit committee.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Environmental Defense Fund Is Looking For
- A CPA with 7-10 years of progressive audit and nonprofit compliance experience, specifically in large nonprofits (budgets >$100M) with diverse funding streams (federal grants, restricted donations).
- Deep expertise in Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200), single audits, and IRS Form 990 preparation, with a track record of managing complex audit engagements from planning to resolution.
- Proven ability to evaluate and strengthen internal controls, including risk assessment and process improvement in a decentralized, remote-work environment.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills to collaborate with program managers, finance teams, and external auditors, translating technical requirements into actionable guidance.
📝 Tips for Applying to Environmental Defense Fund
Highlight specific examples of managing audits for entities with similar complexity—e.g., a large environmental nonprofit or university with multiple federal grants and restricted funds.
Quantify your experience with Form 990: mention the number of schedules prepared, total revenue/expenses reported, and any complexities like unrelated business income or donor-advised funds.
Demonstrate knowledge of EDF’s mission by linking your audit work to programmatic impact—e.g., how your compliance efforts enabled a grant to fund climate research.
If you have experience with remote audit coordination, emphasize your use of digital tools (e.g., audit management software, secure document sharing) and strategies for maintaining team cohesion.
Tailor your resume to include keywords like 'Uniform Guidance,' 'Single Audit,' 'indirect cost rate,' and 'grant monitoring' to pass ATS filters.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your passion for environmental advocacy and how your audit expertise directly supports EDF’s mission by ensuring financial resources are used effectively and transparently.', 'Specific examples of leading external audits for nonprofits with government grants, including challenges overcome and improvements implemented.', 'Your approach to building relationships with program staff to foster a culture of compliance without being adversarial.', 'Your experience with remote or hybrid audit teams and how you maintain accountability and communication across time zones.']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Review EDF’s latest audited financial statements and Form 990 (available on their website or GuideStar) to understand their revenue mix, grant programs, and any audit findings.
- → Read EDF’s annual report and strategic plan to grasp their key programs (e.g., climate, oceans, ecosystems) and how they measure impact.
- → Familiarize yourself with EDF’s Remote Work Policy and culture by reading employee reviews on Glassdoor or contacting current/former staff via LinkedIn.
- → Understand the difference between Environmental Defense Fund (501(c)(3)) and Environmental Defense Action Fund (501(c)(4)) and how their audit requirements may differ.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Focusing too much on for-profit audit experience without drawing clear parallels to nonprofit compliance (e.g., GAAP differences, grant restrictions).
- Not demonstrating a proactive approach to internal controls—candidates who only describe compliance monitoring without suggesting improvements may seem reactive.
- Overlooking the political sensitivity of EDF’s work; avoid making assumptions about the organization’s advocacy stance unless you show nuanced understanding.
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to Environmental Defense Fund!