Controller, Finance

Overview

This role serves as the organization’s senior, hands-on accounting leader, reporting directly to the Chief Finance & Operating Officer (CFOO). The Controller is responsible for the integrity, accuracy, and timeliness of financial reporting and accounting operations.

Key focus areas include owning the monthly close, maintaining strong accounting processes and internal controls, overseeing cash-flow reporting and forecasting, supporting budgeting and rolling forecasts, and managing the annual audit and related financial reporting requirements. The role ensures compliance with GAAP and nonprofit accounting standards, including restricted revenue, grants, and revenue recognition.

Responsibilities

• Own and manage the monthly close process, ensuring accurate and timely recording, reconciliation, and reporting of financial transactions, including cash activity, pledges, journal entries, accruals, restricted funds, and grants.
• Ensure accounting practices and financial statements comply with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and applicable nonprofit accounting standards, including revenue recognition, restricted contributions, grants, and functional expense reporting.
• Maintain accurate financial documentation, established accounting policies, and a strong internal control environment.
• Maintain the integrity of the general ledger, chart of accounts, and subsidiary ledgers.
• Administer and continuously improve Sage Intacct and related accounting processes, systems, and controls.
• Develop and maintain cash-flow reporting and a rolling 13-week cash-flow forecast to support liquidity and cash-management decisions.
• Lead monthly financial forecasting and update full-year revenue and expense projections in partnership with the CFOO and department leaders, including collaboration with the Development team on fundraising projections, grants, and restricted revenue.
• Partner with department managers to review monthly budget-to-actual performance, understand variances, and update projections.
• Lead the annual organizational budget process, including developing templates and assumptions, consolidating departmental budgets, and preparing financial reports for review.
• Ensure accurate and timely preparation of monthly financial statements and reports, including maintaining supporting documentation and preparing workpapers for the annual external audit and Form 990 preparation.
• Manage the annual external audit process, including preparing audit schedules and supporting documentation; coordinating with external auditors and finance partners; responding to audit requests; and tracking audit recommendations to ensure timely resolution of findings and implementation of process improvements.
• Ensure compliance with applicable financial and regulatory requirements, including annual charitable registrations, federal and state tax-exemption requirements, and sales and use tax obligations, coordinating with external partners as appropriate.
• Maintain and strengthen accounting policies, financial documentation, and internal controls; identify financial risks and recommend practical process improvements.
• Supervise and develop the Operations Coordinator responsible primarily for accounts payable and accounts receivable.
• Provide clear financial analysis, reporting, and insights to the CFOO, department leaders, and Finance and Audit Committee to support informed organizational decision-making.

Requirements

• 7-10 years of progressive accounting and finance experience, including significant nonprofit accounting experience.
• At least 3 years of management and/or leadership experience.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP and not-for-profit accounting, including restricted contributions, grants, revenue recognition, and functional expense reporting.
• Demonstrated ownership of monthly close, reconciliations, financial statement preparation, and general ledger integrity.
• Experience managing an annual external audit and preparing audit schedules and supporting documentation.
• Experience with budgeting, forecasting, cash-flow modeling, and budget-to-actual analysis.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain effective internal controls and accounting policies.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines while maintaining a high level of accuracy.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain financial information clearly to non-finance audiences.
• Proficiency with accounting and financial systems and Microsoft Office/Google Workspace, particularly Excel/Sheets.
• Experience specifically with Sage Intacct.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business, or a related field.
• CPA or other relevant accounting certification.
• Experience specifically with Quickbooks and Bill.com.
• Experience with Salesforce or another CRM and with finance/CRM integrations.
• Experience supporting charitable registrations, sales and use tax compliance, and Form 990 preparation.
• Experience working in a national, remote nonprofit organization.
• Passion for music, music education, or youth development.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary

• Starting salary range: $114,506-$121,241 per year.
• New hires are typically placed between 85% and 90% of the salary range, depending on relevant skills, qualifications, and directly applicable experience.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision; up to 100% paid for employee coverage
• Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account options
• Short Term Disability, Long Term Disability, and Life Insurance
• 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan with 3% match after 90 days of service
• Eligibility for student loan forgiveness through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
• Discretionary Time Off policy, 10 paid holidays, and company-wide office closure from December 24 through January 1
• Flexible work arrangements
• Monthly remote work stipend
• Employee Music Enjoyment stipend
• Equipment provided for business use (laptop, monitor, docking station, and peripherals)

Location & Travel

• Full-time, remote.
• Occasional travel required, including being on site for:
  • the annual Benefit event each spring
  • the annual Modern Band Summit each summer
  • the annual staff retreat
• To be considered, you must reside and be authorized to work in the United States.

Additional Information

• Applications will be accepted until November 13, 2026.
• This employer participates in E-Verify.
• Artificial intelligence (AI) tools may be used to support parts of the hiring process (e.g., reviewing applications); final hiring decisions are made by people.