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Controller—Finance

This role oversees the Museum’s accounting operations, including the quarterly close process, annual financial reports, annual audit process, ongoing maintenance of an adequate system of accounting records, and a comprehensive set of controls to mitigate risk. This role is unlike that of a typical controller as the Brooklyn Museum Finance team is undergoing a period of transformation, including significant changes to the chart of accounts and system upgrades to support a more automated process. Teams that support the Museum’s critical infrastructure are rapidly evolving ahead of our two hundredth anniversary and as we kick off major capital projects over the next several years. This is a key role to help develop new processes, coach a team of accountants, and have meaningful access to senior leadership. This role will manage a team of senior accountants. 

A typical day for this role might include meeting about our chart of accounts with external CRM partner Tessitura, meeting with our external auditors about annual audit timelines, reviewing accounting entries in preparation for quarterly close, attending the weekly Museum directors meeting, and discussing the annual inventory audit with the Director of Merchandising. 

Qualifications:

  • CPA required
  • Knowledge of GAAP accounting principles and practices, with a record of increasing levels of responsibility
  • At least 7 years of nonprofit accounting experience, including at least 2 years at controller level
  • Experience with complex grants management
  • Excellent analytical skills characterized by identifying, assimilating, and comprehending the critical elements of various situations, and extracting and interpreting the implications of courses of action
  • Good judgment; capable of evaluating alternative methods to achieve quality outcomes
  • High level of accountability, responsibility, and dependability; results- and solution-oriented 
  • A positive attitude, self-discipline, and self-awareness
  • Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment
  • Dedication to process, procedures, and documentation 
  • Ability to structure tasks and balance competing priorities and multiple stakeholders
  • Strong communication, both in person and through modern tools and platforms
  • High level of interpersonal skills, integrity, and respect of confidentiality
  • Experience managing a team with an ability to attract, develop, and retain top talent 
  • Focus on the big picture, seeing beyond individual responsibility
  • Exceptional collaboration skills
  • Strong analytical skills with financial and operational acumen
  • Willing to learn from failure and embrace feedback; ability to give feedback to manager and colleagues
  • Embrace of technology as a tool to enhance work effectiveness
  • Expert knowledge of Excel 
  • Passion for the Brooklyn Museum and ability to articulate its mission

Preferred qualifications:

  • Experience with Abila MIP accounting system
  • Experience with Concur
  • Museum experience 

Responsibilities:

  • Accounting
    • Oversee accounting operations including financial statement preparation and general ledger
    • Lead all accounting functions including net assets, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, investment tracking, fixed assets, cash management, and general accounting
    • Manage and enhance the quarterly and annual close process, with a goal of moving to monthly close within 6 months 
    • Prepare timely and accurate financial statements and all supporting documentation
    • Maintain strong internal controls over financial matters
    • Improve and maintain a strong internal control environment over all financial transactions
    • Oversee cash management activities and monthly bank reconciliation process
       

  • Audit

    • Oversee year-end audit-related activity and act as audit liaison; prepare audit schedules and provide audit support to external auditors (including 990, 990T, and CHAR500)
    • Help manage external finance relationships, including banking partners, investment partners, and traders (for sale of gifted stock)
    • Ensure timely preparation of GAAP-compliant audited financial statements and continuously work toward reducing labor and time required to complete the annual audit
       

  • Change management

    • Participate in a wide variety of special projects and compile a variety of special reports
    • Simplify current complex chart of accounts
    • Refine existing processes that require manual reconciliation
    • Support the continued development, implementation, and maintenance of systems and processes to ensure integrity of internal policies and efficient execution
    • Perform other duties as required

Start date: Immediately
Department: Finance
Reports to: Chief Financial Officer
Position type: Full-time
Grade and salary: B - $163,200
Union status: Nonunion
FLSA status: Exempt
Schedule: 35 hours per week, Monday–Friday, 9 am–5 pm
 
Apply online.

If you have questions about our online application system, please get in touch with us at job.application.questions@brooklynmuseum.org.

At the Brooklyn Museum, we value all types of experience. For us, a successful candidate has many of the qualities listed in our job postings, and the desire and capacity to learn the rest on the job. So if much, but not all, of a job posting describes you, then we welcome your application.