Controller

Trinity River Authority; Arlington (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Trinity River Authority is seeking an experienced Chief Financial Officer‑level professional to oversee all financial processing, accounting, reporting, and budgeting for the organization. You will manage the general ledger, grants, construction accounting, payroll, and accounts payable and supervise finance teams.

You will coordinate with external auditors, ensure compliance with GAAP and government reporting standards, and drive financial governance and strategic decision making.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting required.
• Five+ years of progressively responsible accounting experience.
• CPA certification required.
• Valid Texas driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Act as the primary liaison for external auditors, manage audit requests, and strengthen internal controls.
• Ensure accuracy and compliance with GAAP and government reporting requirements.
• Establish financial policies and internal controls to meet legal and regulatory requirements.
• Oversee financial system implementations and automation to improve efficiency.
• Prepare timely quarterly and annual financial statements and reports.
• Develop a chart of accounts and approve journal entries and reconciliations.
• Maintain accurate general ledger for TRA activities and assess new accounting standards.
• Develop the annual budget and monitor monthly variances; coordinate across departments.
• Analyze contract revenue and debt service budgets; provide variance analyses.
• Provide financial analysis to senior management and forecast projections.
• Promote accuracy, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Supervise accounting staff and foster professional development.

Skills

Five+ years accounting experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY

This position oversees all financial processing, accounting, financial reporting, and budget functions for TRA, including the general ledger, financial statements, capital assets, accounts payable, grants and construction accounting, billing, accounts payable, and payroll. The role supervises the accounting, financial services, and budget teams, ensuring accurate and timely work. This role ensures the accuracy and integrity of financial information, supports strategic decision-making, and maintains strong financial governance. The position also leads financial reporting and audit coordination, tracks departmental goals and performance metrics, and supports the Chief Financial Officer in achieving departmental objectives.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. 1. Act as the primary liaison for external auditors, manage audit requests, and continuously strengthen internal controls to mitigate risk.
2. 2. Ensure accuracy and compliance with local, state, and federal government reporting requirements, including those of the Governmental Accounting Standards Board.
3. 3. Responsible for the establishment of financial policies and internal controls to comply with all legal and regulatory financial requirements and Board policies. Facilitates the establishment and maintenance of appropriate financial management processes and financial controls for all financial functions.
4. 4. Oversee financial reporting system implementations, migrations, testing, and automation to maximize operational efficiency.
5. 5. Manage the preparation of timely and complete quarterly and annual financial statement reports including statistical financial data.
6. 6. Responsible for the development of a chart of accounts that supports the requirements and functions of TRA. Review and approve journal entries, reconciliations, and financial reports.
7. 7. Responsible for appropriate and accurate accounting in general ledger accounts for all financial activities of the TRA including evaluating the impact and implementation of new accounting standards.
8. 8. Manage the development of the annual budget to include coordination across TRA and within the department between the budget and the capital project functions. Analyze variances and provide actionable insights to leadership. Responsible for monitoring the budget monthly.
9. 9. Responsible for the calculation of budgeted and actual contract revenue requirements for both operations and maintenance and debt service for all TRA systems. Responsible for monitoring the budget and actual contract revenue requirements monthly and providing analysis of the variance and recommendations to the Chief Financial Officer.
10. 10. Provide and complete financial analysis to include compiling data, researching information, forecasting projections and making recommendations to senior and executive management.
11. 11. Promote a culture of accuracy, accountability, and continuous improvement.
12. 12. Supervise and develop accounting and financial staff.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Regularly has full personnel management responsibilities including approving time, selection, discipline, grievances, and formal performance evaluations for a position’s direct and indirect reports.

FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Manage assets of $2.2 Billion, Expenses of $182 Million, Revenue of $186 Million, and Total Liabilities of $1.7 Billion.

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting required.

EXPERIENCE

Five plus years of progressively responsible experience.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Valid Texas driver's license. Certification as a Public Accountant is required.

KNOWLEDGE

This position requires minimum physical exertion with daily lifting requirements generally under 20 pounds. Activities may include carrying office materials, pulling and pushing file drawers, and organizing paperwork.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

None

GUIDANCE RECEIVED

Guided by Department Goals and Priorities. Makes decisions that are guided by overall Departmental goals, priorities, and policies. The job requires interpreting goals and priorities into action steps and delegating responsibility for completion; has broad latitude in regard to methods and approaches but must obtain approval for actions that have a policy, service, or cost implications.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Duties are almost always carried out in an office environment with occasional fieldwork required.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED

Office equipment, including personal computers, various printers, host computer systems, and calculators.

Equal Opportunity Employer

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.