CONTROLLER

Louisville Ballet; Portsmouth (NH); On-site; USD 86,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and dental coverage

Paid time off

Parking

401(k)

Job summary

The Music Hall in Portsmouth, NH seeks a Controller to lead the organization's accounting operations and manage a small finance team. You will own the general ledger, payroll, AP/AR, and monthly close, delivering audit-ready statements and cash forecasts to inform leadership and the Board.

You'll strengthen internal controls, apply nonprofit GAAP, and collaborate with department heads to align program funding with budget, forecasts, and strategic priorities while supporting fundraising and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field; CPA preferred.
• At least seven years of progressive accounting experience in nonprofit settings.
• Strong nonprofit accounting knowledge including donor restrictions and Form 990.
• Proficiency with QuickBooks Online or a comparable accounting system; excellent Excel/Google Sheets skills.

Responsibilities

• Own the general ledger, accounts payable and receivable, payroll accounting, journal entries and monthly close.
• Prepare GAAP-compliant financial statements for nonprofit reporting and donor-restriction accounting.
• Maintain allocations among program services, management and fundraising and ensure consistent reporting.
• Coordinate annual audits, collaborate with the Finance Committee and external auditors.
• Develop rolling cash flow forecasts and budget-to-actual analyses for leadership.

Skills

Excel/Google Sheets

Nonprofit accounting knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in accounting or related field

Tools

QuickBooks Online

Job description

Full Time; Exempt
Supervisor: President/CEO
Direct reports: Accounting Manager; Financial Services & Data Analyst

POSITION SUMMARY

The Controller leads The Music Hall’s accounting operations and supervises a small finance team, combining hands‑on execution with clear financial oversight. Reporting directly to the President and CEO, the Controller provides reliable financial statements, cash forecasts and analysis that support sound decisions across venues, live performances, film programming, festivals, patron services and fundraising.

This role strengthens nonprofit financial stewardship, internal controls and departmental accountability while supporting The Music Hall’s artistic mission and stewardship of historic facilities. The Controller partners with department leaders and supports the Board Finance Committee, translating financial information into clear explanations, early warnings and practical corrective actions.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The following responsibilities describe the essential functions of this position. Other related duties may be assigned.

ACCOUNTING AND NONPROFIT FINANCIAL REPORTING

• Own the general ledger, accounts payable and receivable, payroll accounting, journal entries and monthly accrual close; maintain complete reconciliations and an audit‑ready accounting record.
• Prepare accurate financial statements under US generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), including applicable Financial Accounting Standards Board nonprofit requirements under Accounting Standards Codification Topic 958. Maintain reporting of net assets with and without donor restrictions, releases from restrictions, and expenses by both natural and functional classification.
• Maintain documented allocations among program services, management and general, and fundraising. Ensure department, venue, event and project coding supports consistent management reporting and year‑end financial statements.
• Apply appropriate revenue recognition to contributions, conditional grants, pledges and exchange transactions. Evaluate membership and sponsorship benefits; reconcile the donor database to the general ledger with Development.
• Account for advance ticket sales, service fees, refunds, gift certificates and other contract liabilities. Reconcile ticketing, point‑of‑sale, merchant processor and bank activity, including settlements and outstanding balances.
• Maintain fixed‑asset, depreciation, lease and capital‑project schedules; distinguish repairs from capital improvements and reconcile construction in progress. Maintain investment, endowment and board‑designated fund records where applicable.
• Track capital campaign gifts, pledges, collections, donor restrictions, project expenditures and releases separately from operating activity; report campaign commitments, recognized revenue and cash receipts distinctly.

BUDGETING CASH MANAGEMENT AND DEPARTMENTAL ACCOUNTABILITY

• Lead annual budget preparation with the President and CEO and department heads. Maintain monthly phasing that reflects event schedules, revenue recognition, payroll and seasonal activity rather than dividing annual budgets evenly.
• Produce monthly departmental and institution‑wide budget‑to‑actual reports and a rolling full‑year forecast with department‑owner signoff. Explain variances by timing, coding, volume, price, rate, vacancies and lasting changes to the forecast.
• Update a rolling 13‑week cash forecast weekly. Distinguish available operating liquidity from donor‑restricted funds, campaign funds, pledges receivable and obligations associated with advance ticket receipts; flag shortfalls and financing needs early.
• Support leadership in protecting the adopted operating surplus and contribution targets. Reforecast promptly when concentrated revenue months or major events change; identify corrective actions, responsible owners and completion dates.
• Maintain event‑level forecasts and settlements that reconcile Programming, Production, Marketing, Front of House and Finance to the general ledger. Use agreed definitions of direct contribution and fully allocated results; identify downside exposure and underwriting needs before commitments are approved.
• Report Programming, Front of House and rental contribution alongside revenue and expenses. Analyze concession cost of goods sold, inventory, waste, shrinkage, labor and merchant fees with operating managers.
• Resolve financial reporting ambiguities with department leaders: service‑fee attribution, membership revenue phasing, sponsorship versus advertising treatment, and fundraising‑event revenue, expense and net return. Prevent double counting of shared revenue.
• Distinguish sustainable savings from vacancies, deferred maintenance and reduced revenue capacity. Monitor payroll and benefits against staffing plans and highlight commitments that threat the full‑year result.

INTERNAL CONTROLS AUDIT AND COMPLIANCE

• Maintain written accounting policies, approval limits and segregation of duties for purchasing, disbursements, payroll, deposits and reconciliations. Where staffing limits separation, establish documented independent review by an authorized leader.
• Strengthen cash‑handling, refund, complimentary‑ticket, inventory and vendor‑change controls. Manage finance‑system permissions, records retention and secure handling of employee, donor and banking information.
• Lead the annual independent audit, prepare supporting schedules, coordinate external certified public accountants, and resolve audit findings. Support Finance Committee review without replacing Board oversight or independent auditor responsibilities.
• Coordinate timely IRS Form 990 preparation and review, Form 990‑T when applicable, NH Charitable Trusts Unit annual reporting, and other required financial filings. Maintain a compliance calendar for payroll returns, W‑2s, 1099s, grants and applicable state taxes.
• Evaluate potential unrelated business income, including advertising and other commercial arrangements, with external tax advisers. Monitor grant restrictions and reporting requirements; coordinate federal award compliance and single audit requirements if applicable.

TEAM LEADERSHIP PAYROLL AND SYSTEMS

• Supervise, coach and cross‑train the accounting team. Set clear responsibilities, review work, maintain backup coverage and address overdue reconciliations or processing backlogs.
• Oversee payroll accuracy, authorized compensation changes, benefits accounting and reconciliation of payroll‑provider reports. Coordinate benefits invoices, retirement‑plan remittances and financial compliance with human resources and external providers.
• Partner with department leaders respectfully and communicate financial issues in plain language. Support The Music Hall’s values of passion, trust, inclusivity, accountability and courageous leadership.
• Improve QuickBooks Online, ticketing, donor, point‑of‑sale and payroll reporting workflows. Automate repeatable tasks while preserving approvals, audit trails and human review; use artificial intelligence tools only with appropriate data safeguards and verification.

PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS

The following operating standards guide performance and should be incorporated into the finance calendar with the President and CEO:

• Complete the monthly accrual close and management reporting package within 15 business days of month‑end, including reviewed balance‑sheet reconciliations, phased budget comparisons and explanations of material variances.
• Maintain a weekly 26‑week cash forecast and monthly full‑year forecast with documented departmental assumptions. Escalate material liquidity, forecast and control concerns promptly.
• Provide consistent event and departmental contribution reporting; maintain traceable reconciliation of ticketing, Development, point‑of‑sale and payroll data to the general ledger.
• Support the approved fiscal year 2027 budget’s institution‑wide operating target through accurate forecasting, early warnings and follow‑through on agreed corrective actions. Revenue and spending ownership remains with the assigned department leaders.
• Meet audit and filing deadlines, maintain supported restricted‑fund balances and a current controls register, and complete agreed remediation and process improvements.

QUALIFICATIONS

The requirements listed below are representative of the education, experience, knowledge, skill, and/or abilities required for this position:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience; Certified Public Accountant (CPA) credential preferred.
• At least seven years of progressive accounting experience, including ownership of close, financial reporting, audits, budgets and cash forecasting; experience supervising a small team.
• Demonstrated nonprofit accounting knowledge, including donor restrictions, contribution recognition, functional expense allocations and Form 990. Performing arts, cultural institutions, venues or event experience are strongly preferred.
• Strong Excel or Google Sheets skills and proficiency with QuickBooks Online or a comparable accounting system; experience reconciling multiple operational systems and improving controls.
• Sound judgment, attention to detail and clear communication with nonfinancial colleagues and Board members; ability to balance hands‑on work with team leadership.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND COMPENSATION ORK ENVIRONMENT AND COMPENSATION

This full‑time position is based onsite in Portsmouth, NH, with limited hybrid flexibility and occasional evening or weekend meetings.

The annual base salary starts at $95,000, with the starting offer commensurate with relevant experience and qualifications and informed by internal pay equity. Benefits include health and dental coverage, paid time off, parking and a 401(k), subject to current plan terms.

In addition to the responsibilities outlined above, employees of The Music Hall are expected to contribute to a healthy organizational culture by integrating The Music Hall’s core values into their work and interactions.

ABOUT THE MUSIC HALL

In 1878, The Music Hall opened its doors as a Vaudeville theater, bringing a fresh cultural vibrancy to the city of Portsmouth. Fast forward 140 years and The Music Hall - with a second theater, The Lounge —has been pivotal in the revitalization of downtown into one of the most robust arts destinations in New England. We are a vibrant cultural and community hub, hosting over 130,000 patrons every year.

OUR VISION

To enrich, entertain, and inspire all through world-renowned and community-based programming in our beloved gathering spaces.

OUR MISSION

The Music Hall invigorates audiences, nurtures healthy communities, and drives economic vitality in the region, stewarding our Historic Theater and delivering high‑quality entertainment, lifelong learning, and shared experiences in our venues.

The Music Hall is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from people with a broad range of backgrounds and experiences, including those traditionally underrepresented in our industry. Applicants who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process may contact [e-mail].