Assistant Controller

Description

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Assistant Controller is a senior technical accounting and mentoring role within the Finance & Accounting organization, reporting directly to the Vice President of Finance. This position leads key components of the month-end close, serves as the organization's primary resource for technical accounting research and application of U.S. GAAP, and strengthens coverage across critical accounting areas such as royalties, sales tax, and inventory accounting.

This position also owns financial analysis and forecasting, with particular emphasis on cash-flow forecasting that supports audit readiness, financial reporting, and executive decision-making. The Accounting Operations Manager retains ownership of the annual budgeting process and oversight of the Budget Analyst; the Assistant Controller supports that process by contributing budgeting experience, technical accounting perspective, and forecasting expertise, without owning budgeting directly.

The Assistant Controller directly supervises the Senior Accountant(s) and Accountant(s), and provides technical accounting guidance and close-related coordination to the General Ledger Accountant on a dotted-line basis, while the General Ledger Accountant continues to report directly to the Vice President of Finance.

The Assistant Controller plays a lead role in developing and mentoring accounting team members, building technical capability and team coverage, and modernizing accounting processes through the practical, well-controlled use of automation and artificial intelligence tools. This position partners closely with the Vice President of Finance, the Accounting Operations Manager, and the General Ledger Accountant to improve financial accuracy, reduce concentration risk, strengthen audit readiness, and support the organization's broader financial reporting and stewardship goals.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS:

Reports to: Vice President of Finance

Direct reports: Senior Accountant(s) and Accountant(s), with full supervisory responsibility for these roles.

Dotted-line relationship: The General Ledger Accountant reports directly to the Vice President of Finance, but partners closely with, and receives technical accounting guidance and close-related coordination from, the Assistant Controller.

Coordinating relationship: Works closely with the Accounting Operations Manager (who owns budgeting and oversees the Budget Analyst) on team priorities, workload balance, staffing, and day-to-day execution, and partners with the Budget Analyst on forecasting and budget-to-actual analysis. Serves as a key technical advisor to the Vice President of Finance.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Month-End Close & Financial Reporting

Lead designated components of the month-end close process, partnering with the GL Accountant and Accounting Operations Manager to support timely and accurate close execution

Prepare and post journal entries (accruals, adjustments, reclasses)

Prepare and maintain balance sheet reconciliations for assigned accounts

Assist in the preparation of financial statements and management reports in compliance with U.S. GAAP and other applicable requirements

Reconciliation & Review

Review account reconciliations prepared by staff to ensure accuracy and completeness

Investigate and resolve discrepancies and variances

Ensure reconciling items are properly supported and cleared in a timely manner

Technical Accounting & Audit

Lead technical accounting research and application of U.S. GAAP for routine and non-routine transactions

Draft accounting memos and recommend accounting positions aligned with company policy and GAAP

Serve as a primary resource for technical accounting guidance across the team

Prepare audit schedules, technical analyses, and audit support requests; serve as a point of contact for external auditors on assigned areas

Proactively identify and resolve complex accounting issues, reducing reliance on leadership

Keep up to date on emerging accounting and financial reporting issues relevant to 501(c)(3) and nonprofit organizations

Financial Analysis & Forecasting

Own cash-flow forecasting and related financial analysis, providing the Vice President of Finance with timely, reliable visibility into the organization's cash position and liquidity needs

Develop and maintain rolling forecasts and scenario analyses that support audit readiness, financial reporting, and executive decision-making

Prepare financial analyses and reports reflecting the financial status of the organization, and support financial policy development

Bring budgeting experience and technical accounting perspective to support the Accounting Operations Manager and Budget Analyst in the annual budgeting process and budget-to-actual analysis, without owning the budgeting process itself

Partner with the Accounting Operations Manager on the assumptions, timing, and financial-reporting implications that connect budgeting, forecasting, and the close process

Cross-Functional Support & Coverage

Provide flexible support across key accounting functions, including Senior Accountant responsibilities, Treasurer-related accounting support, and General Ledger Accountant responsibilities as needed

Support continuity across critical processes such as royalties, sales tax, and inventory accounting

Build and maintain working knowledge across these areas to strengthen team coverage and support evolving business needs, including increased responsibility over royalties accounting over time

Technology, Process Improvement & AI Enablement

Identify and implement improvements to inefficient or manual accounting processes

Interface with Information Technology to ensure appropriate systems and controls are in place to support the accounting department

Stay current on artificial intelligence, automation, and other emerging technologies relevant to accounting and finance, and evaluate practical, well-controlled ways to apply them to close, reconciliation, analysis, and reporting work

Champion responsible adoption of AI and automation tools within the accounting team, ensuring appropriate review, documentation, and internal controls accompany any AI-assisted output

Support financial system enhancements and implementations in partnership with the Financial Systems Analyst and Information Technology

Assist in documenting and standardizing accounting policies and procedures

Mentoring, Training & Team Development

Directly supervise the Senior Accountant(s) and Accountant(s), including workload assignment, performance management, and day-to-day guidance

Serve as the primary technical mentor and coach to the General Ledger Accountant on a dotted-line basis for technical accounting matters and close-related coordination, while the General Ledger Accountant continues reporting to the Vice President of Finance

Lead or facilitate training on technical accounting topics, GAAP updates, and effective use of accounting systems and AI-enabled tools

Support cross-training and succession-planning efforts to strengthen team flexibility and coverage

Provide ongoing coaching, performance feedback, and development planning for direct reports, and coordinate with the Vice President of Finance on the General Ledger Accountant's development

Foster a collaborative, high-accountability team culture focused on accuracy, growth, and shared ownership

Collaboration & Organizational Partnership

Partner with the Vice President of Finance to support team priorities, special projects, and organizational initiatives

Act as a technical resource across the Finance & Accounting organization

Communicate technical accounting concepts clearly to both financial and nonfinancial audiences

Collaborate with team members to ensure effective workload balance and continuity across responsibilities

Success Measures

Accurate and timely completion of assigned