We are seeking a Controller to manage the day-to-day operations of our established finance department. In this key role, you will oversee the financial activities of our organization, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and efficiency. The Controller supervises 3 employees including functional responsibility over accounting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and grants administration. You will work closely with program leaders and their staff to educate them regarding finance and accounting procedures, and provide them with the information they need to do their jobs.
Since our campus opened in 2010, Northwest Maritime Center has been in an era of rapid growth. We started out with the beloved Wooden Boat Festival, a retail store, and local youth programs with a budget of $1.2M. Today our operations include regional maritime education programs ashore and afloat, a new Maritime High School in south Seattle, two nationally acclaimed adventure races, our region’s sailing magazine of record, a bustling campus serving locals and visitors, and - most recently - the Swan hotel, all with an operating budget just over $8M. This growth has increased the complexity of our operation, as well as our need for sophisticated financial management, planning, and reporting.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Financial Management:
Oversee the day-to-day financial operations, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, and general ledger activities with appropriate GAAP standards and regulatory requirements
Maintain robust financial controls to safeguard company assets and ensure accurate financial reporting
Identify opportunities and implement processes that streamline our ways of working and improve efficiency
Assist leadership in the annual budgeting and planning process; administer and review all financial plans and compare to actual results to identify, explain, and correct variances as appropriate
Support the CFO in engaging the board’s audit and finance committees around issues and trends in financial operating models and delivery
Manage organizational cash flow forecasting by working in partnership with the program leads; continuously collaborate with program leads to assess the financial efficacy of program operations and establish finance and administrative systems to support program operations
Ensure timeliness, accuracy, and usefulness of financial reporting for federal and state funders, foundations, as well as NWMC leadership and board of directors; direct the preparation and communication of monthly and annual financial statements
Ensure legal and regulatory compliance regarding all financial functions
Ensure maintenance of appropriate internal controls and financial procedures
Coordinate audits and proper filing of tax returns
Remain up to date on nonprofit audit best practices and state and federal law regarding nonprofit operations
Team Leadership:
Oversee a talented finance team of three in the functions of accounting, bookkeeping, and grants management, supporting them in their work and professional development
Leverage strengths of the current finance team members, help to clarify roles and responsibilities, and develop and implement training programs in order to maximize and reach optimal individual and organizational goals
Provide leadership in strengthening internal communications with staff at all levels throughout the organization; create and promote a positive and supportive work environment.
GENERAL OPERATIONS
While this position’s primary responsibility is in financial operations management, the Controller will work as part of the NWMC team to ensure smooth operations for the organization as a whole. This could include providing information to visitors to the Maritime Center and helping out in projects and events that require all-hands-on-deck, to helping tie up a vessel coming into our dock because you happen to be standing there. We all pitch in for the heavy lifting now and then—sometimes this is metaphoric; occasionally we all have to actually help lift something heavy.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Previous experience in financial management and accounting experience, increasing in complexity
Knowledge of GAAP, FASB, and AICPA standards of conduct
Experience with financial systems implementations and upgrades
Strong leadership and management skills, with experience building and leading high-performing teams
Ability to communicate complex financial concepts to stakeholders across the organization, including staff and board members
Commitment to recruiting, mentoring, training, and retaining a diverse team; the foresight and ability to delegate accordingly
Experience in or knowledge of nonprofit accounting, including sophisticated fund and grant accounting, compliance, and reporting
Strong quantitative and analytical ability
HELPFUL QUALIFICATIONS
A CPA or CMA would be a plus
Familiarity with MSFT Dynamics-Business Central
Advanced nonprofit accounting experience including sophisticated fund and grant accounting, compliance, and reporting
Knowledge and understanding of Non-Profit OMB regulations 2 CFR Part 200: Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards
Inspired by or connected to our maritime mission
APPLICATION PROCESS
Submit your resume and cover letter with the online application.
Deadline for applications: Open until filled, applications reviewed as received.
WORK LOCATION & SCHEDULE
Position will require onsite work with some work being done remotely if desired.
Main NWMC Offices are located at 431 Water St., Port Townsend, WA 98368
Position is full-time, 40 hours/week
Reports to: Chief Financial Officer
WAGE RANGE & BENEFITS
$75,000 to $90,000 annually, exempt
100% company paid Health, Dental, Vision, and Life insurance contributions to HSA account
Matching contributions to a SIMPLE IRA retirement fund after 1 year of employment
37 days of annual PTO, which includes 2 weeks of vacation accrual, 17 paid holidays & 1 hour of sick time accrued per every 25 hours worked
Flexible schedule & employee discounts
Full details on benefits
NWMC is committed to equal employment opportunity, striving towards being an antiracist and inclusive organization. We value the diversity of our staff and the communities that we serve, which includes a spectrum of racial, cultural, religious, sexual and gender identities, and abilities. We strongly encourage applications from people who have not seen themselves represented in the industry.