Controller & Associate Vice President of Finance

Overview

Join to apply for the Controller & Associate Vice President of Finance role at New England Aquarium. The AVP, Controller will lead the Finance and Accounting team, reporting to the Vice President of Finance, Planning & Analysis. This role oversees all accounting and finance functions to ensure compliance with GAAP, FASB and regulatory requirements, provides strategic leadership, and strengthens financial processes, internal controls, and reporting systems to safeguard assets and support the Aquarium's mission. This is a full-time regular position with a Monday–Friday schedule 9 : 00 am – 5 : 00 pm, with a hybrid option (onsite and remote). Remote days are available for residents of MA, RI, NH, ME, NY and VT.

Responsibilities

Oversee and manage 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.

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 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 financial oversight for the recognition, tracking, and release of temporarily restricted gifts in accordance with donor intent, GAAP, and FASB guidelines.

Partner 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 compliance with grant and contract requirements and alignment with organizational standards.

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.

Collaborate on budgeting, planning, and strategic initiatives, developing annual operating and capital budgets, forecasts, and multi-year financial plans aligned with organizational priorities.

Contribute to financial modeling, scenario analysis, and cost-benefit assessments to support strategic initiatives and decision-making.

Monitor and share actual-to-budget performance, analyze variances, and recommend corrective actions.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration required.

Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible accounting / finance experience.

Auditing experience; CPA designation strongly preferred.

Prior experience as a controller in a nonprofit organization preferred.

Experience in banking, retail sales, entertainment, and / or educational industries preferred.

Experience leading audits and closing month and year-ends required.

Experience with MIP accounting software is a plus.

Ability to work cooperatively with internal and external stakeholders; strong team leadership and problem-solving skills.

Strong financial modeling, reporting, and cash flow knowledge; excellent technical and management skills.

Commitment to continuous improvement, innovation, and professional development.

Experience overseeing restricted gifts, grant compliance, and audit processes; strong knowledge of GAAP, FASB, and nonprofit accounting standards.

Proficient in financial systems and ERP software; advanced Excel and reporting capabilities; strong communication and presentation skills.

The New England Aquarium is committed to an inclusive workplace culture and is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We foster a culture of respect and inclusion and strive to engage diverse audiences to protect the blue planet.

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