Controller and Director of Accounting [Monterey Bay Aquarium, Monterey, CA]

The Monterey Bay Aquarium seeks to recruit a Controller and Director of Accounting, to be based in Monterey, California.  The nonprofit Monterey Bay Aquarium has a single mission: to inspire conservation of the ocean. Through world-class living exhibits, education programs, wildlife research and by advocating for ocean policy reform, we work to help people know more, care more and do more on behalf of the oceans. Everyone who works at the aquarium, no matter what their job, has a critical role to play in helping us achieve a vision of a world in which the oceans are healthy, and people are committed to protecting the integrity of Earth’s life-sustaining natural systems. If you can bring your passion and talents to an organization with this vision, we invite you to apply.

Position Overview

The Finance and Accounting Division seeks an experienced Controller to manage the accounting and reporting operations of the organization and lead the adoption of a cloud-based enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, the Controller manages a team of six and works closely with the Director of Finance and VP of Information Technology, both of whom also report to the CFO. The Controller also works closely with the VP of Development, and staffs the Audit Committee. The ideal candidate has demonstrated success as a skilled manager of accounting and financial reporting in a dynamic, complex non-profit organization, and is adept at achieving a collaborative, service-based, continuous improvement environment. Skill at successful implementation of new accounting systems is highly desired.

With a mission to inspire conservation of the oceans, the Aquarium welcomed over two million visitors in 2014, and has a highly-motivated staff of over 500. The Aquarium has a combined annual operating and capital budget of $80 million, an investment portfolio exceeding $175 million, and no debt financing.

The broad goals and responsibilities for the Controller and Director of Accounting position include responsibility for timely and accurate preparation of GAAP financial statements and monthly financial reports for management and the Board, and assuring that reporting facilitates effective management decision making. Other responsibilities include:

• Working closely with external implementation team and IT project manager, this position serves as product lead for Aquarium’s adoption of cloud-based Oracle ERP, assuring that the organization’s accounting needs are met and that a seamless transition from current systems is achieved.
• Work closely with Director of Finance who serves as product lead for concurrent adoption of an integrated financial planning and reporting system (EPM).
• Oversee efficient, timely and accurate general ledger accounting and reporting systems.
• Oversee the payroll manager and assure payroll and benefits disbursements process is accurate, timely and efficient.
• Oversee the accounts payable and accounts receivable functions, and work closely with the Director of Finance to assure procurement policies are effective, communicated and monitored.
• With assistance from revenue accountant, work closely with the development office and programs teams to assure proper reporting and compliance with all restricted gifts and contracts.
• Oversee accurate accounting of all earned revenue streams, including from third-party operator of retail and foodservices.
• Work closely with the Director of Finance to assure investment portfolio accounting is timely and accurate.
• Maintain and enhance an effective internal control environment based on meaningful well-documented ongoing risk assessment.
• Oversee annual financial statement audit, OMB federal funds compliance audit (if required), retirement 403(b) plan audit, tax return preparation, and other regulatory filings.
• Maintain and enhance effective fiscal policies and procedures for both accounting team and aquarium staff which are well-documented, communicated, and monitored.
• Hire, train and motivate the accounting staff, assuring that the team works in a highly collaborative fashion and is well integrated with other staff teams and Aquarium operations.
• Serve as a resource for management on matters of tracking spending, fiscal control, regulatory compliance, and accounting and reporting best practices.

Professional Qualifications and Personal Attributes:

The Controller should possess the following professional qualifications and personal attributes:

• CPA certification required. Public accounting experience desired.
• Accounting degree required. MBA preferred.
• Minimum 10 years accounting and/or finance experience, with at least five years in a staff management capacity.
• Non-profit accounting experience highly desirable.
• Experience with Dynamics GP GL and/or Oracle ERP systems desirable. Skilled at Microsoft Office tools.
• Experience with GL system design and implementation desirable.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills. Comfortable with public speaking and a clear communicator.
• Excellent supervisory, mentoring and team-building skills.
• Capable of managing difficult situations with tact and diplomacy.
• Highly motivated self-starter, with a hands-on approach. Strong attention to detail and ability to work well under pressure.
• Proven high standard of performance, eager to set and pursue aggressive goals and to work hard and smart to achieve them. Must be persistent, decisive, resourceful, proactive and results-oriented.
• Ability to understand all aspects of the organization’s business and to convey information to people with varying levels of financial expertise.

The Monterey Bay Aquarium is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering an environment free from any form of unlawful discrimination. Discriminatory actions are strictly prohibited and we are committed to engaging in affirmative action measures to ensure against discrimination. It is the policy of the Monterey Bay Aquarium to promote a positive program of specific practices designed to ensure equal opportunity without regard to race, sex (including breastfeeding and conditions related to breastfeeding), color, creed, gender, religion, marital status, registered domestic partnership status, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, special disabled veteran status, veteran status, medical condition, genetic characteristics and information, sexual orientation, gender (including gender identity and gender expression), family care leave status or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state or local laws.

All applicants must apply online through the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s web site at www.montereybayaquarium.org using the “Jobs” link at the bottom of the web page