Controller, Finance

Music Will•Covina, CA

1d•$114,506 - $121,241•Remote

About The Position

The Controller is Music Will’s senior hands-on accounting leader and reports directly to the Chief Finance & Operating Officer (CFOO). The role is responsible for the integrity, accuracy, and timeliness of the organization’s financial reporting and accounting operations. The Controller owns the monthly close, maintains accounting processes and internal controls, oversees cash-flow reporting and forecasting, supports budgeting and rolling forecasts, and manages the annual audit and related financial reporting requirements. The role ensures compliance with GAAP and nonprofit accounting standards, including requirements for restricted revenue, grants, and revenue recognition. The Controller partners with department leaders to translate financial information into useful insights and supervises and develops the Operations Coordinator, whose primary responsibilities are accounts payable and accounts receivable. This is a full-time, remote position requiring occasional travel, including for Music Will’s annual Benefit event, Modern Band Summit, and staff retreat. The employee must reside and be authorized to work in the United States.

Requirements

7–10 years of progressive accounting and finance experience, including significant nonprofit accounting experience.
At least 3 years of management and/or leadership experience.
Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP and not-for-profit accounting, including restricted contributions, grants, revenue recognition, and functional expense reporting.
Demonstrated ownership of monthly close, reconciliations, financial statement preparation, and general ledger integrity.
Experience managing an annual external audit and preparing audit schedules and supporting documentation.
Experience with budgeting, forecasting, cash-flow modeling, and budget-to-actual analysis.
Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain effective internal controls and accounting policies.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines while maintaining a high level of accuracy.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain financial information clearly to non-finance audiences.
Proficiency with accounting and financial systems and Microsoft Office/Google Workspace, particularly Excel/Sheets.
Experience specifically with Sage Intacct.
Must reside and be authorized to work in the United States.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business, or a related field.
CPA or other relevant accounting certification.
Experience specifically with QuickBooks and Bill.com.
Experience with Salesforce or another CRM and finance/CRM integrations.
Experience supporting charitable registrations, sales and use tax compliance, and Form 990 preparation.
Experience working in a national, remote nonprofit organization.
Passion for music, music education, or youth development.

Responsibilities

Own and manage the monthly close, ensuring accurate and timely recording, reconciliation, and reporting of financial transactions, including cash activity, pledges, journal entries, accruals, restricted funds, and grants.
Ensure accounting practices and financial statements comply with U.S. GAAP and applicable nonprofit accounting standards, including revenue recognition, restricted contributions, grants, and functional expense reporting.
Maintain accurate financial documentation, accounting policies, and a strong internal control environment.
Maintain the integrity of the general ledger, chart of accounts, and subsidiary ledgers; administer and continuously improve Sage Intacct and related accounting processes, systems, and controls.
Develop and maintain cash-flow reporting and a rolling 13-week cash-flow forecast to support liquidity and cash-management decisions.
Lead monthly financial forecasting and update full-year revenue and expense projections with the CFOO and department leaders, collaborating with Development on fundraising projections, grants, and restricted revenue.
Partner with department managers to review monthly budget-to-actual performance, understand variances, and update projections.
Lead the annual organizational budget process by developing templates and assumptions, consolidating departmental budgets, and preparing reports for review.
Prepare monthly financial statements and reports accurately and on time, maintain supporting documentation, and prepare workpapers for the annual external audit and Form 990 preparation.
Manage the annual external audit, including preparing schedules and supporting documentation, coordinating with external auditors and finance partners, responding to audit requests, and tracking recommendations through resolution and process improvement.
Ensure compliance with applicable financial and regulatory requirements, including annual charitable registrations, federal and state tax-exemption requirements, and sales and use tax obligations, coordinating with external partners as appropriate.
Identify financial risks and recommend practical process improvements while maintaining and strengthening accounting policies, financial documentation, and internal controls.
Supervise and develop the Operations Coordinator responsible primarily for accounts payable and accounts receivable.
Provide financial analysis, reporting, and insights to the CFOO, department leaders, and Finance and Audit Committee to support organizational decision-making.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision coverage, with up to 100% of employee coverage paid.
Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account options.
Short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance.
403(b) Retirement Savings Plan with a 3% match after 90 days of service.
Eligibility for student loan forgiveness through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
Discretionary Time Off policy.
10 paid holidays and company-wide office closure from December 24 through January 1.
Flexible work arrangements.
Monthly remote work stipend.
Employee Music Enjoyment stipend.
Laptop, monitor, docking station, and peripherals for business use.