Controller

Job Post

Controller

Department:Finance and Administration
Reports to:Vice President of Finance
Status:Salaried/Exempt
Hours of Work:Monday-Friday standard work week with flexibility for evening and weekend events and occasional extended hours to meet deadlines

Position Overview

The Seattle Aquarium a leading marine conservation organization is seeking a strategic and detail-oriented Controller to lead day-to-day finance operations including accounting payroll and financial reporting. As a key financial partner and leader within the Finance team the Controller plays a key role in supporting Board and Finance Committee presentations and collaborates closely with the Executive and Leadership teams.

This position oversees a team of three and holds functional responsibility for internal controls accounts payable and receivable payroll and both internal and external financial reporting. The Controller partners with the VP of Finance to develop budgets aligned with the Aquariums strategic direction and ensures systems and procedures are in place to support effective program implementation and audit readiness.

Beyond core financial operations the Controller serves as a resource to program leaderseducating teams on financial processes and exploring ways Finance can better support their work. This role also collaborates with senior leadership People & Culture and IT to strengthen integration across Finance HR and technology functions.

As the Aquariums technical expert in GAAP the Controller ensures timely accurate and compliant reporting to internal stakeholders and external partnersproviding the financial clarity needed for sound decision-making and continued organizational growth.

Essential Functions

Financial Oversight & Compliance

• Oversee all accounts ledgers reporting systems and payroll ensuring compliance with appropriate GAAP standards and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Maintain internal control and safeguards for receipt of revenueprogram budgets actual expenditures and payroll.
• Coordinate and lead preparation for all tax and audit activity including the 990 financial statement audit 403b audit and A-133 audit when required with the Seattle Aquariums external independent accounting firm.
• Serve as the primary GAAP expert IRS compliance expert and OMB federal grant expert staying abreast of changes relevant to the Aquarium as they occur.
• Manage and track the performance of invested assets in keeping with policies and investment guidelines.
• Assist the VP of Finance with the annual commercial insurance renewal.

Reporting & Budgeting

• Prepare monthly and annual financial reports in an accurate and timely manner for a variety of audiences including the Finance Committee program staff various internal departments and external stakeholders like the bank and the City; clearly communicate variances between expectation and actual results.
• Identify explainand correct variances as appropriate.
• Assist The Seattle Aquariums leadership in the annual budgeting and planning process.
• Oversee all financial project/program and grants accounting. Provide financial reporting materials for Philanthropy in order to respond to government corporateand foundation grant reportingrequirements

Strategic Collaboration & Risk Management

• Identify and communicate to the VP of Finance areas of risk.
• Support the VP of Finance in engaging the boards finance committee around issues and trendsin financial operating models and delivery.
• Collaborate with program managers to assessthe financial efficacy of programoperations and establish finance and administrative systemstosupport program operations.
• Manage organizational cash flow forecasting by working in partnership with the program managers.

Leadership & Team Development

• Provide supervision oversight and leadership of the Finance and Accounting staff with an eye towards opportunities for growth.
• Leverage strengths of the current Finance & Administration team members help to adjust responsibilities as needed and develop and implement training programsin order to maximize staff growth opportunities and reach organizational goals.
• Continuously assess and improve accounting payroll and reporting operations for opportunities for improvement specifically with an eye towards operational efficiency while maintaining appropriate internal controls and balancing the need for accuracy.
  

Organizational Values & Culture

• Participate in advancing and integrating into their work Diversity Equity Inclusion and Regenerative practices in alignment with our S.A.L.I.S.H. Values.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

This is an extraordinary opportunity for an experienced leader with at least seven years of experience in accounting and financeideally beginning in accounting and audit and progressing to roles involving the gathering evaluation presentation and reporting of financial information to executive teams and external stakeholders. Experience within a complex nonprofit organization with multiple programs is strongly preferred.

Other qualifications include:

• Proven integrity credibility and a strong commitment to the Seattle Aquariums mission; a proactive hands-on strategic thinker who partners closely with the VP of Finance to lead financial operations.
• Experience coordinating audit activities and managingreportingbudget development and analysis accounts payable and receivable general ledger payroll and accounting for investments.
• A track record in grants management as it relates to compliance and reporting of government corporate and foundation grants is essential.
• Deep knowledge of the OMBs Uniform Guidance and other regulations and specific compliance activities related to federal grants.
• Technologysavvywith experienceselectingand overseeing software installations and managingrelationships with software vendors; advanced knowledge of accounting and reporting software with special familiarity with online banking MS Excel PowerPoint and MIP.
• Committed to building and supporting a diverse team through thoughtful recruitment mentoring training and delegation.
• Keen analytic organization and problem-solving skills which allows for strategic data interpretation vs. simple reporting.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; experience in effectively communicating keydataincluding presentations to senior management board or other outside partners.
• Ability and desire to translate complex financial concepts to individuals at all levels including finance and non-finance managers.
• Demonstrates an understanding of the Aquariums mission and S.A.L.I.S.H Values including Regenerative and Equity work.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelors degree in finance accounting business or related field
• Minimum seven years of experience in accounting and finance
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) strongly preferred

Working Conditions:

• This role follows a hybrid schedule with regular on-site presence at the Seattle Aquarium campus expected after the initial training period which will require more frequent in-person availability.
• Work is highly collaborative in nature and requires the ability to meet in person with adequate notice and video conference via Teams on short notice.
• Occasional evening or weekend hours for special events or time sensitive deadlines such as month end close year-end close audit / tax prep.
• Most on-site work is performed in a typical office setting with frequent interruptions.
• The role involves extended periods of sitting and occasional exposure to outdoor elements. The Aquarium operates across a multi-building campus with both indoor and semi-covered areas requiring travel between locations in varying weather conditions.

Salary and benefits:

$120000 - $130000/year. Full-time staff are eligible for the Seattle Aquariums comprehensive benefits package to include medical vision dental an employer-funded health reimbursement account medical and dependent care flexible spending accounts life insurance long-term disability 403b retirement fund with employer match access to a subsidized ORCA pass a Seattle Aquarium Family Plus membership and generous paid time off.

How to apply: The Seattle Aquarium is committed to expanding a diverse equitable and inclusive conservation movement. We are invested in building an Aquarium with a wide variety of backgrounds identities languages cultural ways of knowing and life experiences. We know research shows that society has conditioned communities of color trans and gender non-conforming people immigrants people with disabilities and other marginalized candidates to more frequently not apply to a job because they dont feel that they meet all of the qualifications listed even if they are qualified. If you meet some of the requirements and you are passionate about our mission and our ocean we encourage you to apply and look forward to learning more about you.

Interested candidates should upload a résumé to our online application to be considered. Application review will begin immediately.

let us know if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for this job by emailing us at .

Note: If offered the position candidates must pass a background check. Conviction record is not an automatic disqualifier; we are a second chance employer.

About the Seattle Aquarium:The Seattle Aquarium is a respected authority on Puget Sound the Salish Sea and the worlds one ocean. Our team increases awareness and drives the change needed to preserve and protect our marine environment by providing excellent care and wellbeing for over 5000 animals to create an inspiring visitor experience offer engaging daytime and evening events conservation education programs for people of all ages and backgrounds community outreach to marginalized populations research that advances understanding of animals in our care and their counterparts in the wild advocacy and policy work an award-winning volunteer program high-impact marketing and communications and more.

Our values developed in conjunction with our staff include commitments to adopting and promoting sustainable practices creating awe-inspiring experiences constantly learning and improving fostering an inclusive community maintaining scientific credibility through evidence-based practices and honoring our unique place by using our location and history as a lens for larger understanding.

Proudly accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums were among the top 10 aquariums in the U.S. by attendance and we welcome over 1 million people each year guided by our mission of Inspiring Conservation of Our Marine Environment. Learn more at .

Disclaimer

The above information in this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performance by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.