Assistant Controller

DEPARTMENT: Finance and Administration
REPORTS TO: VP, Controller
CLASSIFICATION: Exempt
DATE: January 2025
SALARY: $130,000 - $150,000 per year  

Note: This is a full-time, hybrid role, requiring an onsite presence at our corporate offices in downtown Manhattan three days a week.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Assistant Controller supports the effective financial management of the organization by ensuring accurate financial reporting, compliance with regulations, and leading an efficient finance team in the day-to-day financial and accounting operations of the organization.  This role requires a tech-savvy individual who can leverage technology to streamline processes and enhance operational efficiency. The Assistant Controller ensures compliance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), accounting and organizational policies, non-profit regulations, and is a crucial member of the larger Finance Team that includes Finance and Business Intelligence. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

  • Financial Oversight:
    • Manages and organizes the monthly, quarterly and year-end financial statement closing activities to ensure the accuracy and completeness of financial records. Review and post journal entries, account reconciliations, schedules and tie-outs, and review all general ledger accounts and financial statements.
    • Oversees the financial system where all revenues, expenses, and balance sheet account activities are recorded. Ensures proper segregation of duties at all times, and works to support, enforce, and enhance internal controls.
    • Performs general ledger maintenance and updates to chart of accounts, chart organizers, and financial reports, to meet the needs of streamlined financial reporting, automating where possible to eliminate manual work.
    • Review and record the activity in the organization’s investment portfolio.
  • Team Leadership:
    • Sets and implements the vision for the accounting team (accountants and accounts payable supervisor), in alignment with the Controller’s team strategy, and helps direct reports to meet or exceed their annual goals for the year.
    • Provides leadership and support to the Finance team, ensuring high levels of motivation and productivity, training and support to Staff on the use of financial systems and processes.
    • Collaborate across the Finance team to advance team-wide initiatives and successes. Collaborate with other departments to provide financial support to those seeking new grant awards, or departments with existing grant awards, to ensure alignment with the organizational goals and objectives and adhere to federal and statutory regulations, legal agreements and practices.
    • Liaise with the organization’s Internal Auditors and assist in all internal audits as required. Assist the Controller in creating management responses to any internal audit findings, execute action plans, and ensure that no findings are repeated after issue identification.
  • Technology Integration and Adoption:
    • Utilize financial software and tools to optimize accounting processes and improve data accuracy; Ensure that all modules within the general ledger software are being leveraged to their fullest extent.
    • In conjunction with the Controller and IT Team as applicable, identify and implement technology solutions that enhance financial reporting. Assist in the creation and rollout of the finance technology roadmap to drive digital maturity in finance. Configure and launch any areas within the existing general ledger not already in use. Continuously improve all existing modules, reports, queries, dashboards, rules, etc.
    • Eager and willing to embrace new technologies, potentially but not limited to the use of generative AI or RPA (robotic process automation). Understand team and stakeholder pain points and aim to alleviate using finance technology.
    • Write process documentation, conduct training sessions, and assist end-users throughout the organization in the proper usage of the financial system, and help users with accessing data pertinent to their departments.
  • Compliance and Reporting:
    • Manage the timeline and activities of the annual financial audit and Form 990 in compliance with requirements and reporting to external auditors, tax advisors and financial service providers.
    • Prepares financial statements for internal use as well as for the Board and Committees and external stakeholders, including review for completeness and accuracy.
    • Review retail sales activity and file monthly and quarterly Sales Tax Returns.
    • Develop, document and maintain financial accounting policies, internal controls and procedures to ensure compliance with GAAP and non-profit regulations. Ensure internal process documentation is maintained and up to date at all times.
  • Other ad hoc projects assigned by the Controller and CFO.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Bachelor's or Master’s Degree in Accounting
  • CPA required
  • 5-7 years of experience in public accounting (Big 4 a plus), or relevant managerial and nonprofit accounting experience
  • Previous experience leading a team in the optimized usage or implementation of a general ledger/ERP product and other finance technology; Previous Financial Edge NXT experience a plus but not required
  • Extensive knowledge of GAAP and non-profit accounting, particularly in the areas of contributed and earned revenues and leases
  • Excellent analytical, problem solving, communication and interpersonal skills
  • Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities and think strategically about innovation to improve financial operations
  • Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams, including Finance, Legal, IT, Institutional Advancement, HR, and program departments.
  • Experience with data analytics, business intelligence tools, automation tools and technologies
  • Extended hours may be required during monthly/quarterly close as well as during the annual audit

REQUIRED SUPPORT FOR ORGANIZATIONAL EVENTS

  • Participates in the Annual 5K Fundraiser and 9/11 Commemoration, as assigned.
  • Assists with other special projects and events in support of all 9/11 Memorial and Museum, as assigned.

HOW TO APPLY

  • Include position you are seeking in the email subject field.
  • State the location where job posting was seen.
  • Send resume and cover letter to 911mmfinancejobs@911memorial.org

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The National September 11 Memorial and Museum (9/11 Memorial & Museum) is an equal opportunity employer.  Applicants who meet the qualification requirements of the role will receive consideration without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

The National September 11 Memorial & Museum (9/11 Memorial & Museum) is committed to an organizational culture that supports and reinforces our values regarding diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA). We seek to build a collaborative, open, and equitable space where staff want to be, knowing that their contributions, professional expertise, and distinct voices are valued and respected. We encourage and celebrate an inclusive environment where candor and participation, when it comes to sharing ideas and collaborative problem-solving, are welcomed regardless of one’s role at the Museum or background.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to qualified candidates, during the interview process, to enable individuals with disabilities an opportunity to interview.