Controller – Boston Public Art Triennial

Tammy Dowley-Blackman Group, LLC; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 108,000 - 132,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full health benefits

Dental benefits

Professional development opportunities

Work-from-home options

Vacation policy

Job summary

The Boston Public Art Triennial is seeking a Controller to lead day-to-day financial operations and help ensure ongoing financial health as it prepares for Triennial 2028. Reports to Deputy Director and collaborates with the Executive Director, Finance Committee, Development Department, and external auditors.

This full-time, hybrid role in Boston combines budgeting, audits, grant accounting, and internal controls, with a salary of $120,000 and benefits including health, dental, and 401(k)

Qualifications

• 7+ years of accounting or finance experience, including at least 3 years in a nonprofit organization.
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance.
• CPA certification is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day accounting functions, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, general ledger maintenance, journal entries, monthly close, reconciliations, payroll coordination, and banking.
• Lead the development, tracking, and maintenance of the organization’s multi-year operating budget, currently approximately $3M-5M annually, including quarterly forecasting and budget-to-actual analysis.
• Prepare timely and accurate financial statements, financial reports, and budget information for the Deputy Director, Executive Director, Finance Committee, and Board.
• Coordinate annual audits and serve as the primary liaison with external auditors, including preparation of audit schedules and supporting documentation.
• Oversee grant accounting, grant budgets, restricted funds, and financial reporting requirements related to grants, foundations, and donors.
• Maintain effective internal financial controls and recommend practical improvements to accounting processes and workflows.
• Oversee financial systems, including QuickBooks and Bill.com, and maintain accurate accounting records and supporting documentation.
• Partner with the Development Department and department managers on grant budgets, financial reporting, budget management, and financial procedures.
• Support organizational decision‑making by providing clear financial information, guidance, and analysis to leadership and non‑financial colleagues.
• Support the transition of accounting and bookkeeping functions from third-party support to an internally managed finance function.

Skills

Nonprofit accounting

Financial reporting

Budgeting

Internal controls

Audits liaison

Attention to detail

Independent work

Communication with leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance

Tools

QuickBooks

Bill.com

Microsoft Excel

Google Workspace

Paychex payroll

Cloud-based accounting systems

Job description

The Boston Public Art Triennial is seeking a Controller to lead the organization’s day-to-day financial operations and help ensure its continued financial health as it prepares for Triennial 2028.

Reporting to the Deputy Director and working closely with the Executive Director, Finance Committee, Development Department, and external auditors, the Controller will oversee accounting operations, budgeting, cash management, financial reporting, audits, compliance, and internal controls. This is an important opportunity for an experienced nonprofit finance professional who is comfortable working independently, brings strong attention to detail, and can serve as a trusted financial resource across the organization.

A key early priority will be transitioning day-to-day accounting and bookkeeping functions currently supported by a third-party provider into an internally managed finance function while maintaining accuracy, continuity, appropriate documentation, and strong financial controls.

Position details (from JD):

• Reports to: Deputy Director
• Department: Finance
• Location: Boston, Massachusetts (Hybrid - three days in-office and two remote days per week)
• Status: Full-time, 40 hours/week, exempt
• Salary: $120,000 Full health and dental benefits, professional development opportunities, work-from, home options, responsible vacation policy, MA 401(k) CORE Plan with employer match
• Works Closely With: Executive Director, Finance Committee, Development Department, ExternalAuditors
• Experience required: 7+ years of accounting or finance experience, including at least 3 years in a nonprofit organization
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance
• Benefits: Full health and dental benefits, professional development opportunities, work-from-home options, responsible vacation policy, and MA 401(k) CORE Plan with employer match

Key responsibilities include:

• Manage day-to-day accounting functions, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, general ledger maintenance, journal entries, monthly close, reconciliations, payroll coordination, and banking.
• Lead the development, tracking, and maintenance of the organization’s multi-year operating budget, currently approximately $3M-5M annually, including quarterly forecasting and budget-to-actual analysis.
• Prepare timely and accurate financial statements, financial reports, and budget information for the Deputy Director, Executive Director, Finance Committee, and Board.
• Coordinate annual audits and serve as the primary liaison with external auditors, including preparation of audit schedules and supporting documentation.
• Oversee grant accounting, grant budgets, restricted funds, and financial reporting requirements related to grants, foundations, and donors.
• Maintain effective internal financial controls and recommend practical improvements to accounting processes and workflows.
• Oversee financial systems, including QuickBooks and Bill.com, and maintain accurate accounting records and supporting documentation.
• Partner with the Development Department and department managers on grant budgets, financial reporting, budget management, and financial procedures.
• Support organizational decision‑making by providing clear financial information, guidance, and analysis to leadership and non‑financial colleagues.
• Support the transition of accounting and bookkeeping functions from third-party support to an internally managed finance function.

The successful candidate will be technically rigorous, organized, dependable, and proactive, with strong knowledge of nonprofit accounting and financial management. They should be comfortable working independently in a small nonprofit environment while also collaborating across departments and helping colleagues understand financial information.

Experience with QuickBooks, Bill.com, Microsoft Excel, Google Workspace, cloud-based accounting systems, and/or Paychex payroll is highly relevant. CPA certification is preferred but not required.

Experience supporting grant-funded nonprofit organizations and an interest in public art, arts administration, culture, and community engagement are also a plus.

Deadline:

• Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

• The Boston Public Art Triennial is committed to equity, accessibility, inclusion, and respectful collaboration with artists, colleagues, partners, and the communities the Triennial serves. We encourage candidates with diverse backgrounds and experiences to apply.