Assistant Controller

Bonney Watson; SeaTac, Northern (WA, KY); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental & Vision

HSA

401(k) plan

Paid vacation

Job summary

Bonney-Watson is seeking an Assistant Controller to lead the accounting operations in our Seattle-area location. The role reports to the President with a dotted-line advisory relationship to the VP of Finance, ensuring accuracy in financial reporting and strong internal controls.

The position oversees day-to-day accounting, budgeting, payroll oversight, trust accounting, and the annual audit process, while driving system improvements and effective collaboration with leadership, auditors, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field.
• Minimum of five to ten years of progressively responsible accounting experience.
• Minimum of three years of supervisory or management experience.
• Experience with payroll accounting and audits preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day accounting operations and month-end close.
• Prepare financial statements and management reports.
• Ensure GAAP compliance and internal control effectiveness.
• Coordinate budgeting, forecasting, and long-range planning.
• Manage trust, investment, and real estate accounting activities.
• Lead payroll oversight and incentive/commission processes.
• Support external auditors and board materials.
• Develop and maintain accounting policies and procedures.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

Financial reporting

Budgeting

Payroll oversight

Internal controls

Month-end close

Leadership

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or related field

Tools

Microsoft Dynamics GP

Job description

The Assistant Controller reports directly to the President and maintains a collaborative dotted-line relationship with the Vice President of Finance for technical accounting guidance, financial reporting alignment, and consistency in financial practices across both organizations. This dotted-line relationship is advisory and collaborative in nature and does not create a direct supervisory reporting relationship.

This position supports Bonney-Watson’s accounting operations, financial reporting, budgeting, payroll oversight, trust accounting, compliance, and financial systems. The Assistant Controller works closely with the President, Vice President of Finance, and leadership team to support accurate financial reporting, effective internal controls, operational decision-making, and the overall efficiency of the company’s financial operations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Provide a professional approach and decorum with customers and fellow staff members and adhere to Bonney Watson’s Mission Statement and Values

Accounting and Financial Reporting

• Oversee day-to-day accounting operations, including the general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll oversight, inventory, fixed assets, cash management, and month-end close.
• Prepare, review, and analyze monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements and management reports.
• Ensure compliance with GAAP, company accounting policies, and applicable federal, state, and local tax regulations.
• Review account reconciliations, journal entries, and supporting documentation.
• Analyze financial performance, identify trends and variances, and provide recommendations to management.
• In coordination with the VP of Finance, coordinate the annual budgeting, forecasting, and long-range financial planning processes.
• Coordinate the annual financial statement audit and support external auditors.
• Assist VP of Finance with the preparation of Board materials, finance committee, trust committee, and executive-level reporting.
• Oversees and directs the preparation and issuance of the corporation's annual report.
• Assist VP of Finance in determining appropriate levels of owner distributions for Board approval, oversee processing and communicating to shareholders.

Trust, Investment, and Real Estate Accounting

• Oversee accounting and reporting for Endowment Care Funds, Prearranged Funeral Services and Merchandise Trusts, investment portfolios, real estate activities, and other fiduciary accounts.
• Coordinate trust reconciliations, audits, regulatory reporting, and compliance requirements.
• Work with investment advisors, custodians, auditors, financial institutions, legal counsel, and regulatory agencies as needed.

Payroll and Commission Oversight

• Oversee payroll and commission processes to ensure accuracy, compliance, timely processing, and appropriate internal controls.
• Support payroll tax reporting, year-end processing, and related audits.

Leadership and Team Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop the accounting team by establishing priorities, assigning workloads, and ensuring timely completion of department responsibilities.
• Provide coaching, training, performance feedback, and promote cross-training, accountability, and continuous process improvement.

Systems and Process Improvement

• Support accounting system implementations, upgrades, and conversions, including Microsoft Dynamics GP, cemetery management software, payroll, and related financial systems.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen internal controls, improve reporting accuracy, streamline workflows, and increase operational efficiency.
• Develop, document, and maintain accounting policies, procedures, and internal control practices.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The qualifications listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Strong knowledge of GAAP, financial reporting, budgeting, payroll oversight, and internal controls.
• Experience managing month-end and year-end close processes.
• Knowledge of accounting operations, including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, reconciliations, and financial reporting.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Ability to review financial data, identify variances, and communicate findings clearly.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines, and maintain accuracy in a deadline-driven environment.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to coach, train, and support accounting staff.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Ability to use sound judgment and maintain confidentiality.
• Proactive approach to identifying needs, solving problems, and improving processes.
• Ability to work professionally and collaboratively with leadership, employees, auditors, trustees, advisors, vendors, and financial institutions.

Education/Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field required.
• Minimum of five to ten years of progressively responsible accounting or finance experience required.li>
• Minimum of three years of supervisory or management experience required.
• Experience developing, monitoring, and reporting business performance metrics preferred.
• Experience with payroll accounting, payroll reconciliations, internal controls, and payroll tax reporting preferred.
• Experience supporting audits, regulatory reporting, tax planning, or compliance activities preferred.

Math Ability

Ability to perform, review, and explain financial calculations, reconciliations, variance analyses, payroll-related calculations, trust accounting activity, and other accounting data with accuracy and attention to detail.

Computer Skills

Intermediate to advanced skills with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook are required. The ability to learn and navigate company systems and financial software is required.

Preferred experience with:

• Microsoft Dynamics GP / Great Plains
• MIS, PlotBox, or similar cemetery management software
• Passare or similar funeral management software
• ADP or similar payroll systems
• Wells Fargo Commercial Electronic Office, or similar banking platform
• Business intelligence and reporting tools
• DocuSign
• Ramp Card Payment
• Company Intranet

Certificates and Licenses

• Valid driver’s license required.
• Must maintain an acceptable driving record in accordance with company policy.
• Must provide proof of insurance demonstrating coverage limits that meet company requirements when driving a personal vehicle for company business.

Management Responsibilities

This position provides direct supervision to the Accounting Supervisor and assigned accounting department staff. Responsibilities include assigning and reviewing work, setting priorities, providing feedback, supporting performance management, and promoting accountability and professional development.

• Medical, dental and vision coverage; HSA Voluntary contributions and Limited Flexible Spending Accounts; long-term disability insurance; EAP assistance; and COBRA Eligibility, subject to the terms of the applicable benefit plan.
• Supplemental plans such as, Life, Short Term Disability and Accident insurance, Additional Employee Life/AD&D and Dependent Life/AD&D may be available as voluntary plans.
• 401(k) savings & profit-sharing plan,subject to the terms of the applicable benefit plan.
• Vacation Time Off:Eligible for employees that work 30 hours or more each week. Vacation accrual begins on the first day of work. Hours are accrued bi-weekly depending on your years of service.

Length of Service

Bi-weekly Accrual Rate

Annual Accrual

1st day - 5 years

4.63 hours

120 hours

240 hours

5 years, 1 day - 15 years

6.51 hours

160 hours

320 hours

15 years, 1 day +

7.69 hours

200 hours

400 hours

• Paid Sick and Safe Leave Policy:Full-Time Employees working a minimum of 30 hours are eligible for 80 hours of PSSL per year, which accrues at a rate of 3.077 hours each pay period.
• Holidays:8 paid days, but open during certain holidays as stated below:
  • Washington Memorial Park & Mortuary:Open on all holidays except New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
  • Satellite Locations:Closed on all holidays except President’s Day and Veteran’s Day when they will maintain regularly scheduled business hours.
  • Employees who work holidays may take another day off with prior approval.