Assistant Controller

African American Planning Commission; New York (NY); On-site; USD 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Dental and Vision

Commuter Benefits

Retirement Benefits Plan (403B)

Paid Holidays and PTO (23 days)

Life Insurance

Long-Term Disability

Job summary

The African American Planning Commission seeks an Assistant Controller to lead accounting operations, ensure GAAP-compliant reporting, and deliver financial insights for decision-making. The role emphasizes nonprofit sector experience, with exposure to medium to large organizations and a strong emphasis on internal controls.

Responsibilities include managing month-end close, coordinating audits, and developing financial reports and forecasts to support strategic planning.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in business, accounting, or related field with 5+ years' accounting/financial management experience.
• Bachelor's degree in business, accounting, or related field with 7–10 years' accounting experience.
• CPA licensure is a big plus.
• Knowledge of GAAP.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Experience with federal, state and local tax compliance.

Responsibilities

• Assist in planning, directing, and coordinating all accounting operational functions.
• Ensure compliance with reporting requirements and tax filings in multiple states.
• Develop reports on financial data and key metrics.
• Contribute to GAAP financial statements, budgeting and forecasting.
• Supervise the accounting team during month-end close.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

Payroll experience

Financial data analysis

Financial project management

Tax compliance knowledge

Analytical problem-solving

Education

Master's degree in business, accounting, or related field

Bachelor's degree in business, accounting, or related field

CPA licensure

Tools

SAGE

Excel

Paycom

Job description

Job Details

Location: AAPCI Corporate - Brooklyn, NY 11206
Type: Full Time
Education: 4‑Year Degree
Salary: $100,000 – $120,000 per year
Shift: Morning
Category: Finance

Position

Assistant Controller

Reporting Relationships

The Assistant Controller reports to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the Organization.

Summary

This role is a key member of the Finance team responsible for overseeing accounting operations, ensuring compliance with all reporting requirements, and providing financial insights to support decision‑making. Candidates from the non‑profit sector are preferred but not required, and experience with medium to large‑sized organizations is valued.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist in planning, directing, and coordinating all accounting operational functions.
• Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal government reporting requirements and tax filings—including sales tax in multiple states, corporate tax returns, and informational filings.
• Develop relevant and timely reports on financial data & analytics such as the monthly cash report, actual spend against budgets/outlook, and key financial metrics.
• Contribute to the preparation of GAAP financial statements, including budgeting and forecasting.
• Supervise the accounting team during the closing process to certify deadlines are met.
• Prepare the monthly Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Assets, as well as Statement of Revenue and Expenses—both consolidated and program specific.
• Encourage implementation and certify adherence to accounting policies and procedures.
• Analyze and create ad‑hoc financial reports.
• Draw up numerous procedures, policies, and technical accounting analyses.
• Coordinate activities with external auditors and ensure accuracy of schedules provided to them.
• Review audit report drafts and Form 990 drafts prior to discussion with the Controller and finalize them.
• Participate in meetings at various levels of management to further understanding of financial performance and communicate department needs.
• Provide management with information vital to the decision‑making process.
• Lead ad‑hoc projects.
• Assess current accounting operations, offer recommendations for improvement, and implement new processes.
• Evaluate accounting and internal control systems.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of accounting software and supporting database, as needed.
• Develop and monitor business performance metrics.
• Oversee timely regulatory reporting, frequently including tax planning and compliance, and compliance with relevant laws and program requirements.
• Facilitate the hiring and training of skilled accounting staff and motivate them.

Qualifications – Minimal

• Master's degree in business, accounting, or related field with at least 5 years' experience in accounting and financial management.
• Bachelor's degree in business, accounting, or related field with 7–10 years' experience in accounting and financial management.
• Professional accounting certification—CPA licensure is a big plus.
• Knowledge of GAAP.
• Strong working knowledge of detailed financial data analysis; proven payroll experience with a focus on streamlining accounting processes.
• Exemplary history of financial project management.
• Working knowledge of federal, state, and local tax compliance regulations and reporting.

Other Qualifications

• Strong working knowledge of accounting software (SAGE, Excel, Microsoft Office Suites) and payroll software such as Paycom; computer skills in general are a must.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and delegate when appropriate.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to excel in a very fast‑paced environment.
• Proactive attitude—able to anticipate issues and respond in a timely manner.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times.
• Must be able to access and navigate each department at the organization’s facilities.

Compensation and Benefits

Base salary: $100,000.00 to $120,000.00 per year.

Benefits include:

• Health, Dental and Vision (Medical with prescription coverage).
• Commuter Benefits.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Paid Holidays and Annual Paid Time Off (23 days).
• Life Insurance.
• Long‑Term Disability.
• Retirement Benefits Plan (403B).
• College student debt forgiveness tax‑free on Federal Direct Loans under the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007, PSLF, if working full‑time and completing 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan.

Equal Employment Opportunity

AAPCI is committed to providing Equal Employment Opportunity to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws and ordinances.