Controller

Position Title: Controller 

Department: Finance 

Title of Immediate Supervisor: Chief Financial Officer 

Salary Range: $90,000 – $100,000 (Full time, Exempt) 

Best Consideration Date: June 19th, 2026

Application Instructions

• Please complete your online application and include your resume and cover letter. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered. 
• Successful candidates for this position will be required to undergo a background check as a condition of employment.

Company Description

One of the most established and honored performing arts institutions in America, Washington Performing Arts has engaged for more than half a century with artists, audiences, students, and civic life. The city is truly our stage: for decades, in venues ranging from concert halls and clubs to public parks, we have presented a tremendous range of artists and art forms, from the most distinguished symphony orchestras to both renowned and emerging artists in classical music, jazz, international genres, and more. We also have an ever-expanding artistic and educational presence on the internet, addressing the programming challenges of this time of pandemic while envisioning ongoing opportunities for online connection and community in a post-COVID world.

Washington Performing Arts deeply values its partnerships with local organizations and other arts institutions. Through events online and in myriad performance venues and neighborhoods, we engage international visiting artists in community programs and introduce local artists to the lives of both young people and adults through residencies and education programs. Our achievements have been recognized with a National Medal of Arts and with four Mayor’s Arts Awards from the DC Government. Celebrating our 60th Anniversary in 2026, we are ever inspired by the motto of our founder, Patrick Hayes: “Everybody in, nobody out.”

Visit our website at www.washingtonperformingarts.org for more information about WPA.

Role Description

Washington Performing Arts (WPA) seeks a strategic, detail-oriented, and collaborative Controller with deep nonprofit accounting experience to lead the accounting function at one of the nation’s most respected performing arts organizations. Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, the Controller will be a part of a small finance & administrative team comprised of the CFO, Assistant Director of HR & Operations, and a part-time finance consultant and will oversee core accounting operations, strengthen internal controls, ensure timely and accurate financial reporting, and help drive continuous improvement across systems and processes. This is an outstanding opportunity for a nonprofit finance professional with strong technical expertise in fund accounting, net asset tracking, grant compliance, and auditing/990 review, and who is energized by cross-functional partnership, thoughtful problem-solving, and operational excellence. The ideal candidate will pair sound judgment with a hands-on approach, working closely with leaders across the organization to support decision-making, maintain financial integrity, and enhance the effectiveness of WPA’s interconnected systems, including Sage Intacct, Tessitura, Paylocity, and Ramp. This full-time position is based in Washington, DC and follows a hybrid work schedule. 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or business management and at least five years of progressive accounting experience, including prior experience as an Accounting Manager, Controller, or in a comparable senior accounting role.
• Required: substantial nonprofit accounting experience, including financial reporting, audit support, grants or restricted funding, and compliance with nonprofit regulatory requirements.
• Proficiency in accounting software and financial systems (Sage Intacct, preferred).
• Experience integrating/reconciling various systems (Payroll, Ticketing/Fundraising CRM, Banking, etc.) with accounting software.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP, nonprofit accounting principles, and grant or restricted funding compliance requirements.
• Detail-oriented and able to work effectively under pressure.
• High-level proficiency utilizing Microsoft Excel and working knowledge of other Microsoft Suite products—Word and PowerPoint.
• Experience using AI is preferred.
• Commitment to advancing the organization’s culture and mission.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and financial planning skills, with the ability to translate complex information into clear insights and practical recommendations.
• Ability to prioritize, work under pressure, meet deadlines, and produce quality results.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and exercise sound judgment in complex or sensitive situations.
• Problem solver that seeks out solutions and new issues that may arise. 

Responsibilities

• Plan, direct, and coordinate the accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll functions, and restricted/unrestricted funds, ensuring accuracy and efficiency.
• Lead day-to-day accounting operations, including journal entries month-end close, general ledger activity, bank reconciliations, and oversight of payroll processing.
• Ensure timely, accurate month-end and year-end close, including review and approval of reconciliations, preparation of financial statements, and analysis of budget-to-actual variances.
• Work closely with the Advancement Department to ensure compliance with federal, District, foundation, and other restricted funding requirements, and provide accurate financial reporting for grants, contributions, and donor reporting obligations.
• Ensure WPA’s revenue, deferred revenue, and overhead allocations are correctly recorded. 
• Lead the annual audit process and coordinate the preparation of materials required by the external auditing firm. Review audited financial statements and IRS Form 990 to ensure timely completion and accuracy of reports. 
• Support the CFO with annual budgeting, financial planning, and reporting and preparation of ad-hoc schedules and reports. Develop, review, and monitor program budgets. Ensure departments receive monthly budget updates analyzing year-to-date expenditures. 
• Develop and implement policies and procedures to improve financial business planning and ensure compliance with GAAP, IRS, federal, and organization policies. 
• Serve as a key steward of WPA’s financial systems, including Sage Intacct and Tessitura, ensuring accurate data flows, strong reconciliation practices, and effective coordination with Advancement and Patron Services to support contributed and earned revenue reporting.
• Assist CFO with accurate and timely financial reports, statements, and analyses for executive and board-level review.
• Manage cash flow and liquidity and monitor bank relationships. 
• Maintain internal control safeguards for the receipt of revenue, spending policies, and endowment funds.
• Assess organizational spending and revenue patterns and recommend solutions to any areas to the CFO. 
• Manage and file all necessary forms with IRS and provide 1099’s to WPA vendors.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of current visa/tax withholding laws and treaties and filing of Form 1042.
• Participate in special projects and perform other duties as requested.

Organizational Values:

In keeping with our mission and guiding principles, we seek, represent, and welcome a multiplicity of voices in everything we do from programmatic content to the composition of our board and staff. Accordingly, we seek to build a team that reflects — and meets the needs of — the community we are part of and serve. While we have made important progress, we continue to pursue that goal through intentional, focused learning and action. Hiring a workforce that embodies and reflects these values is but one component — we strive to make Washington Performing Arts ever more inclusive, and true to our founder’s ethos of “everybody in, nobody out.” We aspire to make every employee feel welcome and motivated to do their best work. We know that we work better together in service of Washington Performing Arts' mission, because of our differences, not despite them.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

Washington Performing Arts subscribes to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant because of race, age, sex, color, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, religion, ancestry or national origin, marital status, genetic information, political affiliation, and gender identity or expression. In addition, the District of Columbia adds protection for marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, matriculation, or political affiliation. Washington Performing Arts’ employment decisions are made based on the needs of the organization and qualifications of the applicants and employees.