Controller & AVP of Finance

The New England Aquarium seeks an experienced and dynamic Associate Vice President (AVP) Controller to lead its Finance and Accounting team. Reporting to the Vice President of Finance, Planning & Analysis, this individual will serve as both a strategic partner and the organization's Controller, overseeing all accounting and finance functions to ensure compliance with auditing standards (GAAP, FASB) and regulatory requirements.

The AVP, Finance and Controller will provide strategic leadership and mentoring to a talented team, driving excellence in financial management, audit and compliance oversight, and stewardship of restricted gifts and grants. This role will strengthen business processes, internal controls, and financial reporting systems to safeguard assets and support the Aquarium's mission. The ideal candidate is a collaborative and mission-driven professional who combines technical expertise with strong communication skills and a continuous improvement mindset, ensuring transparency, efficiency, and sound financial practices across the organization.

This is a full-time regular position offering a comprehensive benefits package. The schedule will be Monday-Friday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm with the option for a hybrid schedule, working some days on-site and some days remotely. Remote days are only available for residents of MA, RI, NH, ME, NY and VT.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Oversee and Manage Audit, Compliance, and Risk Management

• Lead and manage all audit processes, including the annual independent financial audit, government audits, workers' compensation, and 403(b) plan audits, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and clean audit results.
• Serve as the primary liaison to the Audit Committee of the Board of Trustees, preparing materials and presenting findings as needed.
• Ensure timely and accurate completion of regulatory filings, including Form 990s.
• Maintain robust internal control systems to ensure compliance, safeguard assets, and mitigate financial and operational risk.
• Conduct risk assessments and oversee insurance coverage, ensuring appropriate levels of protection and policy maintenance.
• Identify and implement opportunities to streamline and automate financial processes and controls.

Champion Financial Stewardship and Organizational Financial Literacy

• Provide leadership, direction, and mentoring to the Finance and Accounting team while serving as an institutional resource on all financial matters.
• Partner with leaders and departments throughout the organization to strengthen financial and budget literacy, embedding best practices in planning, reporting, and decision-making.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement that promotes innovation, technology adoption, and efficiency in financial processes and reporting.

Provide Oversight and Leadership for Restricted Gifts and Grants Compliance

• Provide financial oversight for the recognition, tracking, and release of temporarily restricted gifts in accordance with donor intent, GAAP, and FASB guidelines.
• Partner closely with the Development team to ensure accurate pledge tracking, donor reporting, and timely revenue recognition.
• Offer institutional leadership and financial oversight to the Grants and Sponsored Programs team, ensuring sound compliance with grant and contract requirements and alignment with organizational standards.

Manage Cash Management and Treasury Activities

• Monitor daily cash flow, bank accounts, investments, and loan balances to ensure financial stability and liquidity.
• Review and approve monthly bank and investment reconciliations.
• Oversee treasury operations and mitigate risk of fraud or disruptions in banking relationships.

Collaborating on Budgeting, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives

• Leverage financial insight and analysis to support sustainable growth, mission alignment, and the long-term resilience of the organization.
• Partner with senior leadership and the FP&A Team to develop annual operating and capital budgets, forecasts, and multi-year financial plans aligned with organizational priorities to strengthen programmatic and operational financial management.
• Contribute to and review financial modeling, scenario analysis, and cost-benefit assessments to support strategic initiatives and decision-making.
• Monitor and share actual-to-budget performance reporting, analyze variances, and recommend corrective actions to achieve budgeted financial objectives.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Training and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration required.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible accounting/finance experience.
• Experience working as an auditor. A CPA designation is strongly preferred.
• Prior experience working as a controller in a nonprofit organization is preferred.
• Experience in banking, retail sales, entertainment, and/or educational industries is preferred.
• Experience leading audits required.
• Experience closing month and year ends required.
• Experience with MIP accounting software is a plus

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to work cooperatively and collaboratively with internal and external customers and employees of all levels; must be able to maximize performance, creativity, problem-solving, and results through strong team leadership.
• Strong financial modeling skills, along with an understanding of financial reporting and cash flow information. Excellent technical and management skills
• Dedication to continuous improvement, innovation, and professional development.
• Proven expertise in overseeing restricted gifts, grant compliance, and audit processes.
• Strong technical knowledge of auditing (GAAP, FASB) and nonprofit accounting standards.
• Proven ability to manage grants (federal, state, and private foundations) and ensure accurate restricted gift reporting.
• Skilled in financial analysis, budgeting, forecasting, and risk management.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in financial systems and ERP software; experience with ticketing systems a plus.
• Proficient knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, computerized GL, and other business systems. Advanced knowledge of Excel and spreadsheet design techniques is essential.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with a strong customer service orientation.
• Comfortable presenting findings and recommendations to a variety of audiences.
• Well organized, with strong attention to detail and proven time management skills.

For more information and to apply online please visit: http://neaq.applicantpro.com/jobs/

The New England Aquarium is committed to an inclusive workplace culture and is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, as defined by the EEOC. Here, we foster a culture of respect and inclusion. We strive to engage and inspire a broad audience with our efforts to protect the blue planet. We believe that an inclusive workforce provides diverse experiences, skills, and perspectives that enrich our programs, strengthen problem-solving, add creativity, and enhance our workplace culture.