Temporary Assistant Controller

Location of Position: Marin Headlands Sausalito California

Reports to: Controller

Position Classification & Expected Hours of Work and Travel: This is a temporary part-time hourly position.

• This position is for a minimum of 24 hours a week with flexibility for additional hours as needed and mutually agreed upon.
• This is a hybrid position with regular onsite work a minimum of one day per week.
• Days in office are typically Wednesday and/or Friday.
• Days and hours of work may vary according to the needs of The Marine Mammal Center.
• Travel is not expected for this position.

Compensation Range: $50.00 - $60.00 per hour.

Benefits:

• Holidays
• Sick Time
• Vacation
• Medical Dental and Vision
• Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability Insurance
• 401k Retirement Plan
• Employee Assistance Program

Job Summary:

The Assistant Controller is responsible for managing The Marine Mammal Centers accounting operations on an interim basis with a primary focus on oversight of the general ledger accounting management internal auditing controls and supporting financial systems and processes. This role ensures the integrity and accuracy of financial data through timely month-end closings preparation for external audits and coordination of annual tax return filings. The Assistant Controller leads the finance team in day-to-day operations including accounts payable accounts receivable and payroll. They collaborate closely with internal staff and leadership to provide timely financial information and support ensuring consistency and clarity in communications and deliverables. This role is critical in maintaining and strengthening internal controls optimizing accounting systems and procedures and supporting risk management efforts to ensure audit readiness and operational continuity allowing our Controller to focus on critical new systems implementations.

Essential Functions:

General Ledger & Accounting Management: 50%

• Supports the integrity and accuracy of financial data and ensures compliance with GAAP and regulatory standards through oversight of accounting and reporting systems.
• Manages day-to-day accounting operations including accounts payable coding of cash receipts revenue recognition payroll processing time and labor allocations journal entries (standard and non-recurring) and balance sheet reconciliations.
• Oversees the monthly close process to ensure timely and accurate financial statements with a goal of closing the books and distributing financial reports within 10 days of month end.
• Coordinates and prepares for year-end close including the development of audit schedules footnote support variance analyses and documentation needed for the annual external audit and tax return filings.
• Maintains and reinforces internal control procedures related to revenue receipts disbursements and program budgets to minimize financial and operational risks.
• Prepares monthly bank and revenue reconciliations and quarterly balance sheet reconciliations to ensure financial accuracy and accountability.
• Monitors cash balances in the organizations bank accounts and reports on cash flow as needed.
• Support preparation for the annual single audit and IRS Form 990 filings. May serve as a liaison with external auditors during the audit process.

Internal Auditing Controls Processes & Systems: 20%

• Assists in the development implementation and maintenance of internal controls to support a growing and evolving organization ensuring alignment with best practices and compliance requirements.
• Identifies operational and financial process issues evaluates potential solutions and supports implementation of improvements to enhance accuracy efficiency and internal accountability.
• Oversee the day-to-day functionality and accuracy of accounting systems; supports ongoing system enhancements and maintenance.
• Collaborates with internal teams and external vendors to assist with the implementation and integration of new financial systems or tools ensuring proper documentation and training.
• Provides financial systems and process support during budgeting and forecasting cycles including preparation of supporting documentation and reconciliation of data.

Financial Analysis: 20%

• Supports the preparation and review of monthly quarterly and annual financial reports ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
• Assists in variance analysis by comparing actual results to budget/forecast and providing explanations for key deviations.
• Prepares supporting schedules and financial data for management reports board materials and audit documentation.
• Collaborates with program and department managers to provide financial insights and reports to support operational decision-making.
• Supports the annual budgeting and forecasting process by compiling data updating models and performing reconciliations.
• Provides analytical support for cost allocation grant tracking and restricted fund reporting.

Other Duties as Assigned: 10%

• Perform special projects and research as assigned.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibility:

None

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

• Deep commitment to the mission and strategic priorities of The Marine Mammal Center.
• Strong understanding of nonprofit financial operations with the ability to apply accounting knowledge to support organizational goals.
• Solid analytical and critical thinking skills to assess financial information and recommend process improvements.
• Working knowledge of non-profit GAAP accounting principles procedures and compliance requirements.
• Proficient in general ledger management journal entry preparation reconciliations and financial reporting best practices.
• Demonstrated experience using and maintaining financial systems and platforms such as Financial Edge Adaptive Insights and Paylocity.
• Experience supporting financial system implementations or upgrades.
• Familiarity with tracking budgets reconciling accounts and managing financial data.
• Strong understanding of internal control procedures particularly within the payroll cycle.
• Working knowledge of federal multi-state and local payroll tax compliance.
• Experience supporting compliance and reporting for federal state and local government grants and cooperative agreements.
• Demonstrated experience preparing and monitoring departmental or organizational budgets.
• Maintains a high degree of professionalism confidentiality and discretion in handling sensitive financial data.
• Provides excellent internal customer service by responding promptly and helpfully to staff and external partners.
• Capable of guiding and supporting team members fostering collaboration and contributing to a positive inclusive team culture.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities while meeting deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team-based environment and across departments.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present financial data clearly and concisely.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Excel Outlook PowerPoint SharePoint Word) and video conferencing tools (Slack Teams Zoom).
• Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work which may include staff volunteers training participants and members of the public.
• Demonstrates self-awareness respect for others and a collaborative mindset in all interactions.
• Willingness to support and engage in The Marine Mammal centers diversity equity and inclusion efforts.

Qualifications and Experience:

• This position requires a combination of education and/or experience equivalent to a bachelors degree in accounting finance or related field; and 7 years of progressive accounting experience including accounting and payroll management. Nonprofit sector experience is preferred.
• Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination or waiver (medical or religious).

Work Environment & Physical Requirements:

• This position operates in a professional office laboratory and marine mammal hospital environment. Movement between buildings occurs via outdoor pathways.
• Routinely uses standard office equipment and performs tasks involving repetitive motion (e.g. typing mouse use).
• Ability to work at a desk for extended periods using a computer.
• Ability to work in an open office environment that may include frequent interruptions and background noise.
• Occasional ability to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Limited exposure to allergens and zoonotic diseases.
• May involve smells associated with animals and the care of animals.

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY

The Marine Mammal Center actively engages individuals from all backgrounds. We are committed to embracing diversity within our organization because we firmly believe that diverse employee teams help us to achieve our best organizational outcomes and provide the most effective support to the communities we serve. We are deeply dedicated to creating and maintaining an inclusive equitable and supportive work environment. We strongly encourage people from underrepresented groups to apply. The Marine Mammal Center believes in growth and supporting our employees as best we can so they can become their best selves in and outside of work. We believe that a healthy work environment means building an inclusive culture where people can thrive together and feel supported and empowered. We believe in stretch versus constraint.

OUR MISSION

The Marine Mammal Center advances ocean health through marine mammal rescue and rehabilitation research and education.

ABOUT THE MARINE MAMMAL CENTER

The Marine Mammal Center is leading the field in ocean conservation through marine mammal rescue veterinary medicine science and education.

For more information please visit our About Us page at

To Apply: Please submit a cover letter and resume and provide a brief description about how your experience aligns with the role.

Note that applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

In your cover letter please feel free to note which pronouns you use (For example she/her/hers he/him/his they/them/theirs etc).

We strongly encourage people of color lesbian gay bisexual transgender queer and non-binary people veterans parents and individuals with disabilities to apply. The Center is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes everyone to our team. If you need reasonable accommodation at any point in the application or interview process please let us know.