Controller

Sunset Club; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sustainable work/life balance

Mentoring opportunities

Career growth

Staff parking

Job summary

Sunset Club in Seattle, WA seeks a seasoned Controller to direct the club’s financial operations, including payroll, budgeting, and internal controls. You will partner with the General Manager and finance committee on strategic plans and capital budgeting, ensuring compliance with GAAP and timely reporting.

With 5–7 years of accounting experience (2+ at controller level in hospitality), you’ll lead a small accounting team, manage vendor relations, and act as Manager on Duty in the GM’s absence,

Qualifications

• Five to seven years of professional accounting experience, with at least two years at the Controller level or equivalent in a club, hospitality, or member-based organization.
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or related field; concentration in business administration advisable.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP and financial reporting; ability to read and interpret general business data.

Responsibilities

• Direct the financial operations of the club, including payroll.
• Prepare monthly trial balances and financial statements for the club.
• Oversee tax returns and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Prepare operating budgets and forecasts; analyze variances and advise on corrective actions.
• Reconcile ledgers and maintain internal controls across departments.
• Serve as Manager on Duty in GM's absence and liaise with finance committees.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

Financial reporting

Budgeting

Cash flow

Payroll processing

Cost control

Education

Bachelor’s degree in accounting

Tools

Accounting software

Payroll systems

Job description

In 1913, Sunset Club was founded as a private club for women in Seattle, Washington. More than 100 years later, the Club continues to provide an unparalleled membership experience both socially and intellectually. Our membership cultivates multi-generational connections with the goal of enrichment inside and outside of Sunset Club. Our staff offers a level of service that consistently exceeds expectations. Join our team and grow your professional skills at one of the most historic private clubs in the city.

Why work here?

Come work at a premier private club where work/life balance is more than just a slogan. At Sunset Club, the majority of our operations schedule is Monday-Friday, 9a-5pm, with occasional evening and weekend events. The membership truly values, supports and cares about the staff. Our General Manager focuses on mentoring and growing her team members. If you want to have a life outside of work, then you need to come work here!

What we offer you

• True sustainable work/life balance
• Growth and mentoring opportunities.
• Ability to grow your career in high impact department.
• Complimentary staff parking

What Makes This Role Different

• Financial partner in capital planning with the General Manager and Finance Committee
• Serves as Manager on Duty in the General Manager’s absence, with operational authority, not just a financial reporting office role
• Trusted advisor to General Manager on sensitive member and staff relations
• Direct liaison to the Board and finance/audit/pension committees

Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor’s degree from four-year college or university; preferred with concentration in business administration with accounting major or minor
• Five to seven years of professional accounting experience with at least two of those years at the Controller level or equivalent in a club operation. Candidates with equivalent progressive experience (e.g., Assistant Controller or Senior Accountant) in a club, hospitality, or member-based organization will also be considered

Job Knowledge, Core Competencies and Expectations

• Must be able to calculate figures and amounts for all financial, payroll, budgets, statistical analysis and probability statements
• Proficiency in GAAP & financial reporting
• Ability to read, analyze and interpret general business data
• Consistently monitor cash flows
• Knowledge of pertinent federal and state employment laws and practices.
• Knowledge of and ability to perform required role during emergency situations.

Job Summary

Direct the financial operations of the club. Oversee the accounting functions, including payroll and directly assist the General Manager on all strategic matters relating to budget management, cost-benefit analysis, forecasting needs and internal control. Develop policies to control and coordinate accounting, auditing, budgets, taxes and related activities and records. Prepare financial statements, forecasts and analyses for all administrative and managerial functions. Maintain all accounting and personnel records. Evaluate operating results for costs, revenues, budgets, policies of operation, trends and increased profit possibilities. Serve as liaison to finance, audit and pension committees. Serves as the Club’s primary Human Resources contact (see HR Duties and Responsibilities section below). Acts as Manager on Duty in the absence of the General Manager.

Job Tasks/Duties

• Prepare the monthly trial balance and resulting financial statements for the club, including the income statement, balance sheet and statement of changes in financial condition, along with required supporting schedules and other data necessary for financial reports and records.
• Prepares operating budgets and financial forecasts in coordination with the various committees, departments and general manager; analyzes financial information, monitors budgeted versus actual expenditures and advises management about variances and their potential causes; recommends corrective actions to help assure that budget goals are met.
• Reconciles monthly ledgers including receivables, payables, bank and other asset accounts, and wage accounts.
• Prepares or supervises preparation of applicable federal, state and local tax returns.
• Prepares accounting reports as necessary and appropriate for dissemination to the board of directors, executive committee and other club committees.
• Prepares semi-monthly staff payroll
• Ensures that records are accurately maintained and that established policies and practices are satisfactorily and consistently followed.
• Verifies monthly inventories for beverages and food.
• Attends finance committee and other committee meetings as required.
• Works with the general manager and finance committee to plan and manage capital budgets
• Compiles, approves and maintains credit applications for vendors.
• Oversees member billing and collection procedures, monitors collection of past due accounts
• Serves as Manager on Duty in the General’s Manager’s absence, with authority to make operational decisions, respond to member or staff issues, and represent management to the Board and committees as needed.
• Identifies sensitive member account situations and proactively advises the General Manager and Board on handling, balancing financial policy with member relations
• Safeguards all funds in bank accounts; assures that revenues are properly and correctly deposited and supervises the drawing of all checks.
• Works with the club’s external auditors to assure that procedures are consistent with club policies.
• Selects, trains, supervises, and evaluates accounting staff.
• Setting expectations, ongoing coaching, accountability/corrective action
• Maintains necessary procedures for confidentiality relating to Club or member issues.
• Other duties as assigned by the General Manager

HR Duties and Responsibilities

The Controller serves as the Club’s primary point of contact for Human Resources functions, working closely with the General Manager on staff-related matters

• Serves as the Club’s primary Human Resources contact and maintains all personnel records in compliance with applicable recordkeeping requirements
• Maintains personnel records, including vacation accrual, sick leave and benefits
• Enrolls staff in the Club’s health, 401(k) and other benefit programs, and coordinates annual open enrollment
• Assists the General Manager in negotiating changes to employee benefit plans and administers employee benefits including health, sick leave and life insurance
• Maintains necessary procedures for confidentiality relating to employee issues
• Manages new-hire onboarding, including offer letters, 1-9 verification and required new