Senior Controller

OdySea Aquarium; Scottsdale (AZ); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

OdySea Aquarium in Scottsdale, AZ seeks a Senior Controller to lead accounting across its multi-entity organization. This executive role oversees financial reporting, internal controls, cash management, and regulatory compliance, reporting to the Managing Partners and partnering with senior leaders to support operations and growth.

The ideal candidate brings 10+ years in senior accounting, multi-entity experience, and strong skills in analytics, risk assessment, and staff development.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or business with accounting emphasis.
• 10+ years in senior-level accounting roles.
• Minimum of 5 years leading finance or accounting teams within a multi-divisional organization.
• Proven experience with internal controls, audits, and regulatory compliance.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
• Experience in hospitality or cash-intensive industries.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for accounting across multiple entities, ensuring accuracy and timely reporting.
• Establish and enforce standardized accounting policies and internal controls across all units.
• Lead and supervise all accounting functions to ensure efficient and accurate financial reporting.
• Oversee compliance with accounting standards, taxes, and regulatory obligations.
• Oversee purchasing card programs and transaction recording and reporting.
• Support expansion initiatives through disciplined financial analysis and risk assessment.
• Assist in preparing investor updates and management presentations.
• Coach, mentor, and develop accounting staff to enhance performance.
• Foster a collaborative finance team that partners with operations and leadership.
• Address performance issues and leadership actions aligned with company values.

Skills

Financial analysis

Leadership

Internal controls

Audit coordination

Cash management

Multi-entity experience

Regulatory compliance

Strategic direction

Education

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, or Business with emphasis in Accounting

Master’s degree strongly preferred

Tools

Excel

QuickBooks or similar

Job description

Position Summary

The Senior Controller is a key financial leader responsible for the strategic direction, oversight, and execution of all accounting operations across Arizona Boardwalk’s multi-entity organization. This role leads enterprise-wide accounting functions, financial reporting, internal controls, audit coordination, and cash management while ensuring consistent application of accounting policies and regulatory compliance across all business units.

Description

Position Summary The Senior Controller is a key financial leader responsible for the strategic direction, oversight, and execution of all accounting operations across Arizona Boardwalk’s multi-entity organization. This role leads enterprise-wide accounting functions, financial reporting, internal controls, audit coordination, and cash management while ensuring consistent application of accounting policies and regulatory compliance across all business units. Reporting directly to the Managing Partners, the Senior Controller serves as a trusted advisor to executive leadership and collaborates closely with senior leaders to support current operations, future developments, and long-term financial sustainability. We are seeking a highly skilled, experienced, and culture-driven leader with a passion for analyzing complex accounting data, strengthening controls, mentoring and developing teams, and identifying opportunities that positively impact the organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for all accounting activities across multiple legal entities, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and timeliness of financial records and reporting.


• Establish, maintain, and enforce standardized accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls across all business units.


• Lead and supervise all accounting functions to ensure efficient and accurate financial reporting.


• Oversee compliance with applicable accounting standards, sales/use and admissions taxes, payroll requirements, and other regulatory obligations.


• Oversee purchasing card programs to ensure accurate recording, monitoring, and reporting of transactions.


• Support expansion initiatives and future developments through disciplined financial analysis and risk assessment.


• Assist in preparing investor update reports and management presentations.


• Ensure data integrity, scalability, and alignment with organizational growth.


• Coach, mentor, and develop accounting leaders and staff to enhance performance, accountability, and engagement.


• Foster a collaborative, service-oriented finance team that partners effectively with operations, leadership, and external stakeholders.


• Address performance issues and lead or recommend appropriate personnel actions in alignment with company values.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• This is an on-site leadership role supporting a dynamic, guest-facing attraction environment.


• Occasional walking or standing at attraction sites as business needs require.


• Ability to push or pull up to 20 pounds.


• Willingness to work a minimum of 40 hours per week, with flexibility during audits, peak operational periods, special events, weekends, and holidays.


• Successful completion of pre-employment drug testing and background investigation.


• Any allergies related to animals or plants must be managed through medication or protective measures to ensure job performance.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, or Business with an emphasis in Accounting. Master’s degree strongly preferred.


• 10+ years of progressive experience in senior-level accounting roles.


• Minimum of 5 years of management experience leading finance or accounting teams within a multi-divisional organization.


• Demonstrated success partnering with senior leadership, internal teams, and external auditors, legal, and tax advisors.


• Extensive experience in cash handling, reconciliation, loss prevention, and complex accounting environments.


• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with the ability to manage competing priorities.


• Exceptional integrity, professionalism, and commitment to confidentiality.


• Superior verbal and written communication skills with strong attention to detail.


• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel; experience with QuickBooks or similar accounting systems.


• Experience in hospitality, attractions, entertainment, retail, or other cash-intensive industries.


• Multi-entity or holding company experience.


• Experience supporting investor reporting, capital projects, or expansion initiatives.