🚀 Controller

Position Title: Controller

Department: Finance
Reports to: Chief Financial Officer

FLSA Status: Full-time, Exempt

Grade: 4

Position Description:

Reporting to the chief financial officer, the controller leads a team of three and is responsible for the integrity of Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s financial records and internal controls. The controller oversees the day-to-day accounting operations for the Garden, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, and the general ledger, and plays a crucial leadership role in managing the Garden’s financial health and ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities:

Business Office Operations

• Oversee the day-to-day functions of the Garden’s Business Office; supervise a team of three responsible for accounts payable, accounts receivable, and the general ledger.
• Responsible for the month-end closing process and reporting, collaborating with the team to ensure accuracy and timeliness.
• Oversee all accounts, ledgers, and reporting systems, ensuring compliance with appropriate GAAP standards and regulatory requirements.
• Supervise various accounts payable functions including processing invoices, managing payment schedules, and fostering a culture of accountability and continuous process improvements.
• Supervise revenue and accounts receivable processes while conducting analytical reviews of all revenue sources to ensure accuracy and identify trends or discrepancies.
• Assess the current Business Office’s policies and processes; recommend and implement changes to increase the department’s efficiency, ensuring accounting best practice and compliance.
• Communicate departmental policy across the institution; ensure consistent compliance with policy in all departments and provide training where needed.

Interdepartmental Collaboration and Leadership

• In collaboration with the CFO, conduct the annual budgeting and planning process, working with colleagues at all levels to create budgets for their departments.
• Coordinate expenditure reports for budget stakeholders and strategically analyze financial data, identifying trends and keeping apprised of issues and trends.
• Lead ongoing review and comparison of actual results to budget, identifying, explaining, and correcting variances as appropriate.
• Guide financial decisions by establishing, monitoring, and enforcing financial policies, internal controls, and procedures.
• Support the CFO in engaging the board’s Audit Committee and Finance and Investment Committee.
• Partner with the Development Office to ensure accurate receipt, accounting, and reconciliation of all gifts and donations, and provide financial reporting. Support the department around donor expense reporting.
• Oversee the release of donor funds, ensuring compliance with restrictions and institutional policies.
• Reconcile bank and investment statements monthly while monitoring cash transactions and maintaining cash flow projections to ensure liquidity and financial stability.
• Manage external audits and Form 990 preparation and reporting.
• Work on special projects as assigned by the CFO.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by the CFO.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field
• 5+ years of progressive nonprofit accounting experience, with at least 2 years in a managerial or supervisory role
• Demonstrated integrity, professionalism, and ability to collaborate effectively while handling sensitive information with the utmost discretion, tact, and confidentiality
• Deep knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) for nonprofits
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Excel
• Organizational skills with attention to detail and deadlines
• Customer service focus with a strong ability to work across the organization to solve problems in a collaborative and supportive manner
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex financial information clearly to diverse audiences

Compensation and Benefits:

• Salary Range – $102,000-132,500
• Brooklyn Botanic Garden offers a comprehensive benefits package including:
  • Health Insurance that begins the date of hire; employees are offered coverage through the City of New York’s Office of Labor Relations and can choose from a variety of plans, some at no cost to the employee.
  • Dental/Vision/Prescription Benefits
  • Pre-Tax Benefits including flexible spending, dependent care, transit/parking accounts
  • CIRS Pension/401K/Life Insurance : BBG is a member of the Cultural Institutions Retirement System (CIRS) and offers a pension and 401K plan for eligible employees. Life insurance is provided through CIRS as well.
  • Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability Insurance
  • Generous Paid Time Off including sick time, vacation time, and 13 annual holidays
  • As a 501(c)3, BBG is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Eligible Employer.
  • Museum Pass, which provides employees the opportunity to enter many museums in New York City for free

To be considered for this position, please submit an application. Applications submitted without a résumé and cover letter will not be considered.

Brooklyn Botanic Garden is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.