Controller

New York Botanical Garden • New York, NY

53d • $220,000 - $250,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Controller serves as the senior accounting and financial operations leader for NYBG and is responsible for safeguarding its financial health. Reporting to the CFO, the Controller oversees all core accounting, financial reporting, compliance, payroll, accounts payable, cash management, debt and other borrowings, banking relationships, and endowment accounting functions for a complex nonprofit organization with nearly $100 million in annual operating revenue and a ~$430 million endowment.
The Controller provides strategic leadership and hands-on oversight of financial operations, ensuring timely and accurate financial reporting in accordance with GAAP, regulatory requirements, and funder restrictions. This role is responsible for maintaining a strong internal control environment, leading audits (including Federal A‑133 / Single Audit), overseeing tax compliance (including Form 990 and 990‑T), and advancing best practices in accounting operations, financial systems, and reporting.
The Controller is a Vice President–level role and manages a senior team, including the Associate Controller and the Senior Director of Payroll.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or related field.
• CPA required.
• Minimum of 10 years of supervisory level accounting experience within a non-profit environment, including significant management-level responsibility.
• Extensive experience in nonprofit accounting, preferably within a large, complex organization with public funding and multiple revenue streams.
• Demonstrated experience leading audits and preparing Forms 990 and 990T.
• Proven ability to design, implement, and maintain strong internal controls.
• Experience leading teams, developing talent, and managing through change.
• Strong systems background, including ERP environments and financial reporting tools.
• Exceptional integrity as well as analytical, organizational, communication, and leadership skills.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in a cultural institution, higher education, or similar complex nonprofit environment.
• Experience with large endowments and investment accounting.
• Experience with Federal, City and State grants, Uniform Guidance and management and compliance with restricted funds.
• Track record of modernizing accounting operations and leveraging financial technology to improve efficiency and transparency.

Responsibilities

• Provide Garden-wide leadership on financial compliance, establishing a robust framework for accountability and governance.
• Serve as the Garden’s senior authority on accounting policy, internal controls, partner closely with the CFO and executive leadership to drive long-term financial sustainability and risk mitigation.
• Direct, mentor and develop the Controller’s Office team, fostering a high-performance culture centered on excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Oversee all accounting functions, including general ledger, accounts payable, payroll, cash management, fixed assets, grants accounting (including calculation of indirect cost recovery rate), debt and other borrowings, and endowment accounting, ensuring accuracy and data integrity.
• Direct the month-end, quarter-end, and year-end closing processes to ensure accurate and timely review and approval of key reconciliations and journal entries.
• Maintain oversight of working capital, liquidity, and cash forecasting in coordination with the Associate Controller and CFO.
• Support audits, Board reporting, and regulatory filings related to debt and banking arrangements.
• Oversee preparation of internal and external financial statements in accordance with GAAP for nonprofit organizations.
• Ensure high-quality, timely financial reporting to management, the Board of Trustees, auditors, regulators, and funding agencies.
• Support the CFO in preparing financial materials for Board and committee meetings.
• Lead all external audits, including the annual financial statement audit and Single Audit; serve as primary liaison with external auditors.
• Oversee preparation and filing of Form 990, Form 990‑T, and related federal, state, and local tax filings, including sales tax and information returns.
• Ensure compliance with city, state, and federal funding requirements, grant agreements, and donor restrictions.
• Maintain strong documentation, controls, and audit readiness across all finance functions.
• Oversee accounting and reporting for the institution’s endowment, including investment activity, spending policy calculations, unitization, and compliance with donor restrictions.
• Coordinate with investment managers, custodians, and internal stakeholders to ensure accurate, timely, and transparent reporting.
• Oversee all Garden debt, lines of credit, and other potential borrowing arrangements, including tracking spending, maintaining amortization schedules, and ensuring timely debt service, swap and interest payments.
• Partner with the CFO on any financing-related initiatives, refinancing, or new borrowings by providing accounting, compliance, and reporting expertise.
• Monitor compliance with debt covenants, reporting requirements, and contractual terms, and ensure accurate accounting and disclosure in accordance with GAAP.
• Liaise with the Garden’s banking partners, maintaining strong relationships to support operational, treasury, and compliance needs.
• Oversee banking activities, including cash accounts, merchant services, lockboxes, and treasury platforms, ensuring appropriate internal controls and timely bank reconciliations.
• Lead the implementation and continuous improvement of financial systems, reporting tools, and accounting processes.
• Champion best practices in financial technology, automation, and data integrity, working closely with IT and financial systems leadership.
• Continuously evaluate and strengthen internal controls, policies, and procedures across the Garden.
• Play a leadership role in ERP governance and major finance-related system initiatives.
• Serve as a trusted financial partner to department leaders, providing guidance on accounting treatment, compliance, and financial operations.
• Collaborate closely with Budget & Planning, Grants Management, and Advancement teams to ensure accurate financial data flows and reporting.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level