Global Controller

CAIA Association•Amherst, MA

15h•Hybrid

About The Position

CAIA is a global professional association with centralized commercial authority in the United States and regional entities operating under service and cost‑plus arrangements. As CAIA advances its Vision 2035 strategy, the organization requires a Global Controller who can operate a lean, disciplined, and internationally credible finance function that both protects the institution and enables risk-aware growth. The Global Controller will lead global accounting, financial control, intercompany compliance, cash and treasury operations, and finance process design. In the near term, the Controller will also partner closely with the COO on budgeting, forecasting, and planning until a dedicated FP&A capability is established. This role requires strong technical judgment, global operating experience, and the ability to collaborate constructively with business leaders—helping them solve problems within CAIA’s legal, tax, and governance framework.

Requirements

10+ years in controllership or global finance operations roles
Demonstrated multi-entity, international finance experience (US + EMEA/APAC preferred)
Strong grounding in intercompany accounting, audit readiness, and control frameworks
Experience managing cash and liquidity in a global context
Track record of developing and operating lean teams and modernizing finance processes
Control backbone: Within a risk-aware service mindset, able to determine solutions while also maintaining compliance requirements
Operational design mindset: eliminates or automates manual workflows whenever possible rather than staffing around it
Exceptional executive communication: can translate accounting complexity into governance clarity and clear business requirements to support operations
Capable people leader: Able to hire, develop, motivate, and support a lean accounting team with global responsibilities
Global cultural fluency: firm while demonstrating cultural sensitivity
Pragmatic technologist: improves systems to enable discipline and drive efficiency
Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States

Nice To Haves

CPA or equivalent strongly preferred
Experience with IFRS a plus
Experience presenting to Senior Leadership, Audit, Risk, or Finance Committees preferred
Nonprofit / association experience helpful but not required

Responsibilities

Own the monthly/quarterly/year-end close across all entities; establish close calendar, checklist discipline, and quality controls
Deliver consolidated financial and management reporting (entity and regional/product views)
Ensure consistent accounting policies, documentation, and reconciliations
Maintain a clean chart of accounts and reporting structure aligned to strategic needs
Own global cash management, liquidity planning, and visibility across entities
Monitor cash balances, timing of intercompany settlements, and funding needs
Ensure appropriate controls over banking relationships, signatories, and payments
Support and implement decisions on working capital, reserves, and approved investment strategy, in partnership with the COO, CEO, and Board
Partner with COO and CEO on cash implications of strategic initiatives and regional expansion
Design and enforce financial controls appropriate for a lean global organization
Maintain Delegation of Authority (DoA) and approval workflows; ensure adherence across regions
Own revenue recognition discipline and seller-of-record controls in partnership with Legal/Operations
Lead audit planning, coordination, and remediation; maintain continuous audit readiness
Oversee all tax and payroll compliance coordination and support transfer pricing documentation and intercompany policies
Operate and document intercompany service arrangements (cost allocations, recharges, evidence trails)
Establish repeatable processes for cost allocations and regional expense treatment
Educate regional leaders on allowable vs restricted activities and escalation pathways
Ensure behavior matches agreements—recognizing that auditors/tax authorities test actions
Co‑own planning and analysis with the COO (interim, first 12-18 months)
Establish foundational annual financial planning / budgeting processes and monthly performance reporting that can scale
Support the COO in preparation of senior leadership and board materials
Partner with IT to optimize finance technology capabilities, integrations, and controls
Select and implement a budgeting/forecasting tool appropriate for CAIA's size and complexity
Reduce manual work through workflow redesign, automation, and improved master data discipline
Serve as finance authority who can work with regional staff and senior leadership to solve business challenges within operating constraints
Lead and develop a lean finance team currently composed of three
Responsible for role redesign and overall capability development