Controller

Intrepid Museum; New York (NY); On-site; USD 150,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York, NY seeks a Controller to lead day-to-day finance and accounting operations with a team of five and a $35 million operating budget.

You will ensure compliance with U.S. GAAP, manage external audits, and partner with the CFAO on budgets and forecasts. The ideal candidate has nonprofit accounting experience and strong leadership in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance; CPA preferred.
• Typically 5–7 years in accounting/finance with 3–5 years in supervision.
• Nonprofit experience and knowledge of grant accounting are preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all finance and accounting operations for U.S. GAAP compliance.
• Supervise Finance Department staff and develop training aligned with organizational goals.
• Manage budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting to Board and CFAO.
• Coordinate audits with external auditors and ensure internal controls.
• Support cash management, accounts payable/receivable, payroll, and asset accounting.
• Partner with CFAO on budgets, forecasts, and board presentations.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Leadership / supervision

Advanced Excel

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting or finance

CPA preferred (active or in progress)

Tools

ADP

NetSuite

Adaptive Insights

Tessitura

Blackbaud Financial Edge NXT

Sage Intacct

Power BI

Tableau

Job description

Controller

Regular Full-Time New York, New York, NY, US

Salary Range: $150,000.00 To $160,000.00 Annually

As an educational and cultural nonprofit institution, the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum promotes the awareness and understanding of history, science and service through its collections, exhibitions and programming in order to honor our heroes, educate the public and inspire our youth. Located in New York City on the Hudson River, the Intrepid Museum was founded in 1982 with the acquisition of the legendary aircraft carrier Intrepid, a National Historic Landmark. Welcoming more than one million visitors annually, the Museum also features the space shuttle Enterprise, the world’s fastest jets and a guided-missile submarine.

Reporting to the Chief Financial and Administrative Officer (CFAO), the Controller leads Intrepid Museum's day-to-day finance and accounting operations — overseeing a team of five and a $35 million annual operating budget — with responsibility for financial accounting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and financial reporting in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The Controller ensures the Museum has the systems, policies, and procedures in place to support timely and accurate financial reporting, upholds internal controls, and delivers clean, efficient audits. The Controller works closely with department heads — both advising them on finance and accounting procedures and understanding how the finance department can better support museum operations.

The Controller also supports the CFAO in preparing presentations to the Board's finance and audit committees, works closely with the senior leadership team, and partners with the CFAO on the development of annual budgets and quarterly forecasts.

The ideal candidate functions successfully in a fast-paced, high volume environment and brings nonprofit experience in an organization with multiple sources of contributed and earned revenue, diverse programs, and accounting and ticketing/CRM systems.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Finance and Accounting

• Oversee all accounts, ledgers, and financial reporting systems, ensuring compliance with U.S. GAAP and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Maintain and enforce internal controls and safeguards over revenue receipts, cash, asset purchases, and cost and expenditure accounting.
• Prepare year-end financial statements and supporting schedules; coordinate all audit activity with external auditors, including the financial and 403(b) plan audits and preparation of the annual Form 990.
• Recommend approaches to accounting for reserves, assets, revenue, and expenditures.
• Manage the day-to-day accuracy of accounts payable, cash receipts and disbursements, invoicing/billing, payroll, fixed asset records, general ledger entries, and statistical data reporting.
• Analyze financial data and deliver accurate, timely reports; compare actual results to budget so as to identify, explain, and correct variances; communicate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements; and keep the CFAO informed of anomalies or material variances.
• Support the annual budgeting and planning process; assist in the review of budget submissions for accuracy and completeness.
• Prepare reports forecasting business activity and financial position — income, expenses, and earnings — based on past, current, and expected operations.
• Partner with the Internal Auditor to establish, monitor, and enforce policies and procedures that ensure effective, efficient internal controls and reliable financial information.
• Support the CFAO in reporting to the Board's audit, finance, and investment committees.
• In partnership with CFAO provide organizational cash flow forecasting to support operations, programs, and capital expenditures.
• Maintain current professional and technical knowledge through workshops, professional publications, and professional networks and societies. Stay informed of new technologies to enhance department efficiencies.
• Perform other duties as assigned by management.

Department Management

• Supervise, train, and direct Finance Department staff, assigning duties and reviewing work for accuracy, thoroughness, and adherence to policies and procedures.
• Leverage the strengths of current team members; clarify roles and responsibilities; and develop training programs that support individual professional growth and align department activities with organizational goals.
• Strengthen internal communication across all levels of the organization; foster a positive, supportive work environment.

The ideal candidate will have a bachelor’s degree with CPA preferred (active or in progress); CMA, CGMA, or MBA welcomed. Five to seven years of accounting and finance experience, including three to five years in a supervisory role; nonprofit experience preferred. Demonstrated understanding of grant accounting, including the recording and reporting of government, corporate, and foundation grants; familiarity with Single Audit / Uniform Guidance requirements is a plus. Advanced proficiency with accounting, ERP, and budgeting software; experience with ADP, NetSuite, Adaptive Insights, or Tessitura is a plus, as is familiarity with nonprofit fund-accounting platforms such as Blackbaud Financial Edge NXT or Sage Intacct. Advanced Microsoft Excel skills required; working knowledge of a BI/reporting tool such as Power BI or Tableau is a plus.

In addition, the ideal candidate must be a proactive, hands-on strategic thinker with integrity and credibility, able to partner with the CFAO across all aspects of the finance function. Proven experience coordinating audit activities, assisting in budget development and analysis, preparing financial reports, and overseeing accounts payable/receivable, general ledger, payroll, and investment accounting. Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret data strategically rather than simply report it. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including experience presenting financial information to senior management, the Board, and other stakeholders is a plus. Ability to translate complex financial concepts for audiences at all levels, including non-finance managers. Commitment to recruiting, mentoring, training, and retaining a diverse team, with sound judgment in delegating responsibility. Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines with a high standard of ethical conduct and leadership.

Integrity, credibility, collaboration and commitment to Intrepid Museum’s mission are essential.

We offer a competitive salary and the opportunity to be a part of a very rewarding time in the Museum’s history!