Controller

Seattle Aquarium; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Hybrid work schedule

Job summary

The Seattle Aquarium is seeking a strategic Controller to lead day-to-day finance operations, including accounting, payroll, and reporting. This role heads a small team, ensuring GAAP compliance, audit readiness, and strong internal controls across finance, HR, and IT interfaces.

Ideal candidates will have seven+ years in accounting/finance, nonprofit or complex program experience, and a CPA is preferred. This position offers a hybrid schedule with on-site presence and substantial collaboration

Qualifications

• Seven+ years in accounting and finance leadership roles.
• Experience in public accounting and nonprofit environments is preferred.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP and regulatory reporting.

Responsibilities

• Oversee accounts, ledgers, reporting systems and payroll with GAAP compliance.
• Maintain internal controls for revenue, budgets, expenditures and payroll.
• Coordinate and lead tax and audit activities with external firm.
• Serve as GAAP, IRS and OMB grant compliance expert.
• Manage invested assets according to policy.
• Assist VP of Finance with annual insurance renewal.
• Prepare monthly/annual financial reports for committees and stakeholders.
• Oversee grants accounting and reporting for philanthropy.
• Forecast organizational cash flow with program managers.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

Leadership

Financial reporting

Audit coordination

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, business or related field

CPA preferred

Tools

MIP Accounting Software by Momentive

Microsoft Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Job Post

Controller

Department: Finance and Administration

Reports to: Vice President of Finance

Status: Salaried/Exempt

Hours of Work: Monday-Friday, standard work week with flexibility for evening and weekend events, and occasional extended hours to meet deadlines.

Position Overview

The Seattle Aquarium, a leading marine conservation organization, is seeking a strategic and detail-oriented Controller to lead day-to-day finance operations, including accounting, payroll, and financial reporting. As a key financial partner and leader within the Finance team, the Controller plays a key role in supporting Board and Finance Committee presentations and collaborates closely with the Executive and Leadership teams.

This position oversees a team of three and holds functional responsibility for internal controls, accounts payable and receivable, payroll, and both internal and external financial reporting. The Controller partners with the VP of Finance to ensure systems and procedures are in place to support effective program implementation, accurate reporting, and audit readiness.

Beyond core financial operations, the Controller serves as a resource to program leaders—educating teams on financial processes and exploring ways Finance can better support their work. This role also collaborates with senior leadership, People & Culture, and IT to strengthen integration across Finance, HR, and technology functions.

As the Aquarium’s technical expert in GAAP, the Controller ensures timely, accurate, and compliant reporting to internal stakeholders and external partners—providing the financial clarity needed for sound decision-making and continued organizational growth.

Essential Functions

Financial Oversight & Compliance

• Oversee all accounts, ledgers, reporting systems and payroll, ensuring compliance with appropriate GAAP standards and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Maintain internal control and safeguards for receipt of revenue, program budgets, actual expenditures and payroll.
• Coordinate and lead preparation for all tax and audit activity, including the 990, financial statement audit, 403b audit and A-133 audit when required, with the Seattle Aquarium’s external independent accounting firm.
• Serve as the primary GAAP expert, IRS compliance expert and OMB federal grant expert, staying abreast of changes relevant to the Aquarium as they occur.
• Manage and track the performance of invested assets in keeping with policies and investment guidelines.
• Assist the VP of Finance with the annual commercial insurance renewal.

Reporting & Budgeting

• Prepare monthly and annual financial reports in an accurate and timely manner for a variety of audiences including the Finance Committee, program staff, various internal departments and external stakeholders like the bank and the City; clearly communicate variances between expectation and actual results.
• Identify, explain, and correct variances as appropriate.
• Assist The Seattle Aquarium’s leadership in the annual budgeting and planning process.
• Oversee all financial, project/program, and grants accounting. Provide financial reporting materials for Philanthropy in order to respond to government, corporate, and foundation grant reporting requirements.

Strategic Collaboration & Risk Management

• Identify and communicate to the VP of Finance areas of risk.
• Support the VP of Finance in engaging the board's finance committee around issues and trends in financial operating models and delivery.
• Collaborate with program managers to assess the financial efficacy of program operations and establish finance and administrative systems to support program operations.
• Manage organizational cash flow forecasting by working in partnership with the program managers.

Leadership & Team Development

• Provide supervision, oversight and leadership of the Finance and Accounting staff, with an eye towards opportunities for growth.
• Leverage strengths of the current Finance & Administration team members, help to adjust responsibilities as needed, and develop and implement training programs in order to maximize staff growth opportunities and reach organizational goals.
• Continuously assess and improve accounting, payroll and reporting operations for opportunities for improvement, specifically with an eye towards operational efficiency, while maintaining appropriate internal controls and balancing the need for accuracy.

Organizational Values & Culture

• Participate in advancing and integrating into their work Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Regenerative practices in alignment with our S.A.L.I.S.H. Values.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

This is an extraordinary opportunity for an experienced leader with at least seven years of experience in accounting and finance—ideally beginning in accounting and audit, and progressing to roles involving the gathering, evaluation, presentation, and reporting of financial information to executive teams and external stakeholders. A background in public accounting and experience within a complex nonprofit organization with multiple programs is strongly preferred.

Other qualifications include:

• Proven integrity, credibility, and a strong commitment to the Seattle Aquarium’s mission; a proactive, hands-on strategic thinker who partners closely with the VP of Finance to lead financial operations.
• Experience coordinating audit activities and managing reporting, budget development, and analysis, accounts payable and receivable, general ledger, payroll, and accounting for investments.
• A track record in grants management as it relates to compliance and reporting of government, corporate, and foundation grants is essential.
• Deep knowledge of the OMB’s Uniform Guidance and other regulations and specific compliance activities related to federal grants.
• Technology savvy with advanced knowledge of accounting and reporting software with special familiarity with online banking, Microsoft Excel, and PowerPoint. Knowledge of MIP Accounting Software by Momentive preferred, but not required.
• Committed to building and supporting a diverse team through thoughtful recruitment, mentoring, training, and delegation.
• Keen analytic, organization, and problem-solving skills, which allows for strategic data interpretation vs. simple reporting.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; experience in effectively communicating key data, including presentations to senior management, board, or other outside partners.
• Ability and desire to translate complex financial concepts to individuals at all levels including finance and non-finance managers.
• Demonstrates an understanding of the Aquarium’s mission and S.A.L.I.S.H Values, including Regenerative and Equity work.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, business or related field
• Minimum seven years of experience in accounting and finance
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) strongly preferred

Working Conditions:

• This role follows a hybrid schedule, with regular on-site presence at the Seattle Aquarium campus expected after the initial training period, which will require more frequent in-person availability.
• Work is highly collaborative in nature and requires the ability to meet in person with adequate notice and video conference via Teams on short notice.
• Occasional evening or weekend hours for special events or time sensitive deadlines such as month end close, year-end close, audit / tax prep.
• Most on-site work is performed in a typical office setting with frequent interruptions.
• The role involves extended periods of sitting and occasional exposure to outdoor elements. The Aquarium operates across a multi-building campus with both indoor and semi-covered areas, requiring travel between locations in varying weather conditions.

Salary and benefits:

$125,000 to $150,000/year Dependent on experience. Please include salary expectations in your application materials. Full-time staff are eligible for the Seattle Aquarium’s comprehensive benefits package to include medical, vision, dental, an employer-funded health reimbursement account, medical and dependent care flexible spending accounts, life insurance, long-term disability, 403b retirement fund with employer match, access to a subsidized ORCA pass, a Seattle Aquarium Family Plus membership and generous paid time off.

Note:If offered the position, candidates must pass a background check. Conviction record is not an automatic disqualifier; we are a second chance employer.

Please let us know if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for this job by emailing us at [e-mail].

About the Seattle Aquarium: The Seattle Aquarium is a respected authority on Puget Sound, the Salish Sea and the world’s one ocean. Our team increases awareness and drives the change needed to preserve and protect our marine environment by providing excellent care and wellbeing for over 5,000 animals to create an inspiring visitor experience, offer engaging daytime and evening events, conservation education programs for people of all ages and backgrounds, community outreach to marginalized populations, research that advances understanding of animals in our care and their counterparts in the wild, advocacy and policy work, an award-winning volunteer program, high-impact marketing and communications, and more.

Our values, developed in conjunction with our staff, include commitments to adopting and promoting sustainable practices, creating awe-inspiring experiences, constantly learning and improving, fostering an inclusive community, maintaining scientific credibility through evidence-based practices and honoring our unique place by using our location and history as a lens for larger understanding.

Proudly accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, we’re among the top 10 aquariums in the U.S. by attendance, and we welcome over 1 million people each year guided by our mission of Inspiring Conservation of Our Marine Environment. Learn more at SeattleAquarium.org.