Assistant Controller

Appalachian Mountain Club; Massachusetts; On-site; USD 88,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Plan: Generous employer terms

Vision and dental coverage

Life insurance

AD&D insurance

403(b) retirement plan

Paid time off

Company holidays

Educational assistance

Pro deal discounts on equipment

Job summary

The Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) is seeking an Assistant Controller to oversee accounting, financial reporting, and compliance. This role partners with the Controller to ensure GAAP adherence, manage grants, and strengthen internal controls across the organization.

Primarily remote with periodic travel to AMC's Boston office or New Hampshire locations; hybrid options in Boston or Gorham are available. The role emphasizes month-end close, audit prep, endowment management, and process

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance required; CPA strongly preferred.
• Seven or more years of progressive accounting experience, including nonprofit accounting experience.
• Experience leading accounting staff and processes.
• Advanced Excel skills; Sage Intacct experience strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the Controller’s delegate for day-to-day accounting operations, financial reporting, close, audit, and compliance matters.
• Oversee general ledger governance and financial data integrity.
• Manage monthly and annual close activities; assign, review, and resolve issues.
• Direct accounting for capital assets, payroll and benefits, contracts, and cost allocations; establish consistent practices.
• Oversee cash receipt processes for memberships, donations, and other revenue.
• Support budget and forecasting processes by validating assumptions and aligning results with reporting.
• Develop reports using the financial system to support reconciliations and decision-making.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical skills

Communication

Problem solving

Collaboration

Time management

Process improvement

Ownership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance

CPA

Tools

Excel

Sage Intacct

Job description

Founded in 1876, the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) is the oldest conservation and recreation organization in the United States. Our mission is simple yet powerful: foster the protection, enjoyment, and understanding of the outdoors. With a focus on protecting mountains, forests, waters, and trails throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions, we envision a world where our natural resources are healthy, loved, and always protected, and where the outdoors occupies a place of central importance in every person’s life.

The Assistant Controller partners with the Controller to oversee the organization’s accounting, financial reporting, and compliance functions. This role ensures the accuracy and integrity of financial data, supports grant management, and maintains adherence to GAAP, federal and state regulations, and nonprofit accounting standards. The Assistant Controller provides strong leadership and guidance to the accounting team, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and professional growth. The Assistant Controller plays a central role in month-end close, audit preparation, and restricted and grant funds management, as well as actively driving process and system enhancements to improve efficiency, strengthen internal controls, and support the organization’s long‑term financial health.

This position is primarily remote, offering flexibility for candidates throughout New England. Periodic travel is expected for team collaboration, training, and key meetings at AMC's Boston office or New Hampshire locations (Gorham and Bretton Woods). Candidates who prefer more in-person interaction may also choose a hybrid work arrangement based in Boston or Gorham.

What You’ll Be Doing At AMC

Accounting and Financial Reporting

• Serve as the Controller’s delegate for day-to-day accounting operations, financial reporting, close, audit, and compliance matters as assigned, escalating significant issues and decisions to the Controller.
• Oversee general ledger governance and financial data integrity.
• Manage monthly and annual close activities, including timelines, assignments, review, issue resolution, and timely completion.
• Direct and review accounting for capital assets, payroll and benefits, contracts, published books, and cost allocations; establish consistent practices and resolve complex issues.
• Oversee cash receipt processes and controls for memberships, donations, and other revenue, including workflows, reconciliations, recording accuracy and timeliness, and exception resolution.
• Support budget and forecasting processes by validating assumptions, advising on accounting treatment, and aligning results with financial reporting.
• Leverage the financial system to develop reports that support reconciliations, analysis, and decision-making and align with nonprofit reporting, organizational needs, and cost-allocation methods.
• Assess, design, and strengthen internal control processes and accounting policies to support organizational growth, compliance, and risk management.
• Evaluate accounting workflows and controls and implement processes, system, and technology improvements that increase efficiency, accuracy, and consistency.
• Serve as a trusted accounting advisor to development, program, operations, and other departments, translating financial requirements into practical guidance for assigned areas.

Investments and Endowment

• Oversee investment accounting processes, including workflows, capital calls, funding approvals, quarterly activity, reconciliations, cash requirements, exception resolution, and audit-ready documentation.
• Oversee endowment accounting and reporting, including compliance with fund restrictions and spending policies and resolution of complex accounting or classification matters.

Restricted and Grant Funds Management

• Manage, review and continuously improve the systems, controls, accounting, and reporting for restricted gifts, grants, and government awards.
• Lead the accounting, compliance, and financial oversight of post-award grant management, including compliance, financial reporting, cost allocation, monitoring, and issue resolution.
• Advise program teams on the financial management of grants and restricted gifts, establishing expectations for accurate recording, expense tracking, forecasting, and balance monitoring.
• Establish and monitor financial controls and procedures designed to support compliance with federal Uniform Guidance requirements.

Systems & Process Improvement

• Provide leadership in maintaining and enhancing financial systems, processes and reporting, including the following related to Sage Intacct:
• Activating additional system functions (bank feeds, approval workflows, checklists).
• Evaluating and deploying enhancements and new modules (e.g., dimension structure, dynamic allocations, grants management, fixed assets) in partnership with IT and guided by the technology roadmap.
• In partnership with IT, support digital transformation initiatives, including integrations between the financial system and other enterprise applications (i.e., donor management, lodging, retail, membership).

Team Leadership and Supervision

• Lead and supervise team members to deliver high performance and advance organizational priorities.
• Foster an accountable, collaborative culture that promotes transparency, effective communication, and continuous improvement.
• Set clear performance expectations and develop team capabilities through regular feedback, coaching, formal evaluations, mentorship, and professional development.

Audit, Tax, and Compliance

• Partner with the Controller to manage the annual financial statement audit, Uniform Guidance audit (if applicable), 403(b) audit, and preparation of IRS Form 990, coordinating schedules, documentation, auditor requests, timelines, and follow-up items.
• Own and manage the organization’s finance compliance calendar, ensuring the timely and accurate completion of all federal, state, and local filings.
• Direct the organization’s corporate registration and good‑standing requirements in all applicable jurisdictions, including the filing of annual reports and charitable registration renewals.
• Manage and monitor processes that ensure compliance with applicable nonprofit, tax‑exempt, and charitable solicitation laws and regulations.

What AMC Is Looking For

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance required; accounting degree preferred.
• CPA strongly preferred.
• Seven or more years of progressive accounting experience, including substantial nonprofit accounting experience and at least two years managing accounting staff and processes.
• Proven experience leading, mentoring and motivating high‑performing teams
• Demonstrated experience with nonprofit accounting and reporting for grants, restricted funds, government awards, and endowments.
• Experience coordinating financial statement, Uniform Guidance, and employee benefit plan audits.
• Advanced Excel skills and experience administering and improving a major accounting system; Sage Intacct experience strongly preferred.
• Technical accounting and systems knowledge
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills
• Exceptional attention to detail and organizational ability
• Strong organizational, time‑management and communication skills
• Demonstrated leadership, ownership, and accountability, with the ability to develop staff and deliver high‑quality results.
• Collaborative mindset with the ability to work cross‑functionally with program, development, and operations teams
• Proactive and process improvement mindset
• Commitment to the mission and values of the organization

What AMC Can Offer You

Salary range: $ 87,800- $110,000

We are committed to fair compensation practices, and we encourage qualified candidates to apply. The initial salary represents our starting point, and our compensation philosophy is designed to reward and recognize the contributions of our employees as they grow within the organization. External candidates typically begin their journey with us at the starting point of the salary range. The final compensation offer will be based on factors such as experience, education, skills and geographic differential relevant to the position, and will be discussed during the interview process.

• Health Plan: Generous employer contributions with optional vision and dental.
• Other Insurance: 100% employer paid life insurance, AD&D insurance, long‑term disability.
• Career Progression: The potential to have annual compensation reviews commensurate with performance and effort.
• Retirement: 403(b) with 4% matching employer contributions and a vesting schedule. This benefit increases with tenure.
• Paid Time Off: up to 4 weeks of Paid Time Off and up to 11 paid company holidays at hire. This benefit increases with tenure.
• Other Team Member Perks:
• 10 Free nights at AMC locations
• Educational Assistance
• Pro deal discounts on equipment & gear and more!