Controller

Peabody Essex Museum; Salem (MA); On-site; USD 170,000 - 194,000; Full time

Job summary

Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, MA seeks an experienced Controller to lead financial management and accounting operations, reporting to the CFO and collaborating with the Board of Trustees. The role oversees general ledger, endowment and restricted funds, treasury, audits, and grant-related financial requirements.

The ideal candidate has 10+ years in nonprofit financial leadership, CPA preferred, strong ERP and Excel skills, and a proven track record of building strong finance teams and internal

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive financial leadership experience in complex nonprofit environments.
• CPA certification is highly preferred; comparable credentials may be considered.
• Deep expertise in nonprofit fund accounting, endowment administration, and regulatory compliance.
• Experience leading teams and building strong financial operations.
• Advanced skills with ERP systems, Excel modeling, and financial management tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead financial reporting and accounting operations in accordance with US GAAP and FASB standards.
• Provide accurate, timely financial statements, dashboards, forecasts, and analyses to management.
• Oversee annual audits, IRS Form 990 preparation, regulatory compliance, and grant-related requirements.
• Direct accounting and reporting for PEM's investment portfolio, endowments, restricted funds, and other net assets.
• Lead treasury, cash management, liquidity forecasting, and working capital activities.
• Partner with Development on gift accounting, revenue recognition, and grant compliance.
• Support CFO with long-range financial modeling, capital budgeting, and annual budget development.
• Lead, mentor, and develop the Finance team; foster accountability and continuous improvement.
• Evaluate financial systems, policies, and internal controls to modernize processes.

Skills

Financial leadership

GAAP expertise

Forecasting

Analytical thinking

Staff development

Board communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

Master's degree preferred

CPA certification

Tools

ERP systems

Excel modeling

Job description

The Peabody Essex Museum (PEM) is seeking an experienced and strategic Controller to lead the Museum's financial management and accounting operations. This director level position will oversee the day-to-day work of the Finance team, ensuring financial integrity, transparency, and compliance while providing the insights and reporting that support sound institutional decision-making.

Working closely with the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), executive leadership, and the Board of Trustees, the Controller will play a critical role in financial planning, reporting, governance, and long-term stewardship of the Museum's resources. The position oversees general ledger operations, financial controls, endowment and restricted fund accounting, treasury and cash management, audits, tax compliance, and grant-related financial requirements.

The Controller will also lead and develop a talented Finance team, championing operational excellence and continuous improvement while identifying opportunities to strengthen systems, processes, and internal controls. This is an opportunity for a seasoned financial leader to bring their expertise to a dynamic nonprofit institution and help shape the financial infrastructure that supports PEM's mission and future.

What You'll Do

• Lead financial reporting and accounting operations in accordance with US GAAP and FASB standards.
• Provide accurate, timely financial statements, dashboards, forecasts, and analysis to management.
• Oversee annual audits, IRS Form 990 preparation, regulatory compliance, and grant-related financial requirements.
• Direct accounting and reporting for PEM's investment portfolio, endowments, restricted funds, and other net assets.
• Lead treasury, cash management, liquidity forecasting, and working capital activities.
• Partner with Development and other departments on gift accounting, revenue recognition, and grant compliance.
• Support the CFO with long-range financial modeling, capital budgeting, and annual budget development.
• Lead, mentor, and develop the Finance team while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Evaluate financial systems, policies, and internal controls and identify opportunities to modernize and improve processes.

What You Bring

We are looking for a collaborative, analytical, and experienced financial leader with 10+ years of progressive financial leadership experience, including supervisory responsibility in a complex institutional environment. The ideal candidate will bring:

• A bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field; a master's degree is preferred.
• CPA certification is highly preferred; comparable certifications and extensive progressive experience may be considered.
• Deep expertise in nonprofit fund accounting, endowment administration, financial reporting, and regulatory compliance.
• Demonstrated success leading teams, developing staff, and building strong financial operations.
• Advanced experience with ERP financial systems, Excel modeling, and financial management tools.
• The ability to translate complex financial information into clear, actionable insights for executive and board-level audiences.
• Excellent written, verbal, analytical, and problem-solving skills.

If you are a strategic financial leader who thrives at the intersection of mission, stewardship, and operational excellence, we invite you to consider joining PEM and helping advance the Museum's financial strength and long-term success. The hiring range for this role is $170,000 to $194,400 commensurate with experience.