Controller

Brooklyn Museum; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

401(k) & Pension

Paid time off

Disability insurance

FSAs & HSAs

Employee assistance program

Museum admissions

Staff discounts

Hybrid schedule

Job summary

Brooklyn Museum is seeking a Controller to oversee accounting operations, financial reporting, and compliance for a leading nonprofit cultural institution in Brooklyn. You will partner with senior leadership to ensure transparency, accuracy, and strong governance.

The role leads audits, grants accounting, restricted funds, and internal controls, while directing a team of accounting professionals. This full-time position offers a compelling benefits package and a chance to advance the Museum's

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance required.
• CPA or equivalent preferred.
• Extensive nonprofit or museum accounting experience.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP and regulatory standards.
• Experience with audits, grants accounting, and restricted funding.

Responsibilities

• Lead all accounting operations including GL, AP/AR, cash, fixed assets, and close processes.
• Ensure timely GAAP-based financial statements for internal and external use.
• Oversee grants, contributions, restricted funds, endowment, and capital project accounting.
• Direct annual audit with external auditors and tax preparers.
• Maintain regulatory filings including Form 990 and local reports.
• Improve accounting policies, controls, and risk management.
• Partner on budgeting, forecasting, cash flow, and long-term planning.
• Support senior leadership with financial analysis and reporting.

Skills

Leadership

Financial analysis

Communications

GAAP knowledge

Auditing

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting/Finance

CPA or equivalent preferred

Tools

ERP systems

GAAP compliance tools

Job description

The Brooklyn Museum is a world-renowned cultural institution dedicated to preserving and showcasing art, history, and heritage. Our mission is to bring people together through art and experiences that inspire celebration, compassion, courage, and the will to act. Our vision is to serve as an institution where art is a powerful force for personal transformation and social change. Celebrating our differences and learning about our diverse communities through our collections, exhibitions, and programming is the core of who we are and what we do.

We are committed to creating and cultivating a community of talented, passionate people who are inspired to make the Museum an important hub of community activity and a great global destination. Our staff have the opportunity to grow their professional skills and work collaboratively with colleagues they admire and respect. Read more about our story here.

About the role

The Controller is a senior financial leader responsible for stewarding the Brooklyn Museum’s accounting operations, financial reporting, and compliance framework in service of the institution’s mission and long-term sustainability. Reporting to the Director of Finance, the Controller provides hands‑on leadership across core accounting functions while strengthening systems, controls, and processes appropriate to a complex, nonprofit cultural organization. This role partners closely with senior leadership, department heads, and external stakeholders (including our auditors and funding partners) to ensure transparency, accuracy, and sound financial governance.

Responsibilities

• Lead all accounting operations, including general ledger, accounts payable and receivable, cash management, fixed assets, month‑end and year‑end close, and payroll
• Ensure timely, accurate preparation of internal and external financial statements in accordance with GAAP and nonprofit accounting standards
• Oversee accounting for grants, contributions, restricted funds, endowment activity, and capital projects in compliance with donor, regulatory, and reporting requirements
• Direct the annual audit process and serve as primary liaison with external auditors, tax preparers, and financial advisors
• Maintain responsibility for required regulatory filings, including Form 990 and other federal, state, and local reports
• Design, implement, and continuously improve accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls to manage risk and strengthen financial integrity
• Partner with the Senior Director of Finance on budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management, and long‑term financial planning by providing reliable financial analysis and insight
• Support financial reporting and analysis for senior leadership, Finance Committee, and Board of Trustees as needed
• Lead, coach, and develop accounting staff, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous process improvement
• Collaborate across departments to improve financial practices, systems adoption, and financial literacy throughout the organization

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field
• CPA or equivalent professional credential strongly preferred
• Extensive experience in senior accounting or controller roles, preferably within nonprofit, museum, or other mission‑driven organizations
• Expert knowledge of GAAP, nonprofit accounting standards, audit processes, and regulatory compliance requirements
• Demonstrated experience managing audits, tax filings, grants accounting, and complex, restricted funding environments
• Proven ability to evaluate and strengthen internal controls, accounting systems, and financial processes
• Strong leadership and people management skills, with experience developing and mentoring accounting teams
• Excellent analytical and communication skills, with the ability to translate complex financial information for non‑financial stakeholders
• Professional judgment, discretion, and the ability to operate effectively within a union‑aware, collaborative organizational culture

Department: Finance

Reports to: Senior Director of Finance

Union status: Non‑Union

FLSA status: Exempt

Position type: Full‑time

Schedule: 35 hours per week, Monday–Friday, 9 am–5 pm

The Museum provides competitive compensation along with generous benefits and perks for all eligible employees. Individual benefit offerings may vary based on position type and union status.

• Medical, dental, vision and life insurance
• 401(k) Savings Plan and Pension Plan
• Generous paid time off, including annual vacation leave, sick leave, and 13 Museum holidays
• Short‑term and long‑term disability coverage
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) & Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) for eligible pre‑tax health care, dependent care, and commuter expenses
• Employee Assistant Program
• Free admission to various NYC museums and cultural institutions
• Early access to Museum exhibitions
• Invitations to staff‑only programs, tours, and on‑site engagement events
• Opportunities to participate in community initiatives and Museum programs
• 40% discount for staff in Museum shops
• All positions are based in Brooklyn, New York, with some eligible for a hybrid work schedule (three days on‑site / two days remote)

Apply Today

We recognize that it’s unlikely that any candidate will meet 100% of the desired qualifications for a role. If much of this job description resonates with you, we strongly encourage you to apply today. We’re committed to welcoming candidates with a wide range of experiences and perspectives – especially those who see themselves contributing to our mission to bring people together through art and experiences that inspire celebration, compassion, courage, and the will to act.