Strategic Nonprofit Controller & Finance Systems Lead

Austin Symphony Orchestra; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Austin Symphony Orchestra seeks a Controller to own the day-to-day financial operations, leading and performing in a hands-on role, partnering with the CEO and Fractional CFO to ensure financial integrity as we scale.

The Controller will oversee GAAP-compliant accounting, maintain the general ledger, manage month-end close, and supervise the finance team, with responsibilities spanning audits, grants, and strategic reporting.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of progressive accounting experience, with at least 4 years in a controller or senior accounting role.
• Nonprofit fund accounting experience.
• Demonstrated ownership of annual audit, 990 preparation, and grant compliance.
• Proficiency in GAAP as applied in nonprofit contexts.
• Demonstrated curiosity and comfort with AI tools, with a willingness to integrate them into finance workflows.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and/or perform all procedures related to month-end and year-end close processes.
• Maintain accurate general ledger, chart of accounts, and fund accounting integrity.
• Oversee accounts payable, accounts receivable, and cash management.
• Reconciliation of general ledger accounts and schedules.
• Oversight of accounts receivable and coordination of collections from third parties.
• Coordinate with development staff to ensure proper recording of payments and pledges in accounting application and CRM database.
• Review and approval of daily receipt data entries.
• Review and approval of accounts payable.
• Prepare and coordinate the annual audit; serve as primary liaison with external auditors.
• Manage the Form 990 preparation process in coordination with external tax preparer; own all required regulatory filings (including 941 payroll tax).
• Ensure compliance with grant reporting requirements, fund restrictions, and donor designations.
• Maintain internal controls appropriate for a nonprofit of ASO’s scale.
• Reconcile and report on operating reserves and investment accounts at the GL level.
• Participate as requested in Audit, Finance, and Investment Committee meetings.
• Produce timely, accurate financial reports for the CEO, Board Finance Committee, and Executive Committee.
• Support budget development and variance analysis in partnership with the Fractional CFO.
• Develop cash flow projections and flag risks proactively.
• Own day-to-day operations in the organization’s fund accounting system in MIP and lead in future system evaluations and migrations as the organization scales.
• Evaluate and implement AP automation tools and payroll system enhancements.
• Build and document finance processes and controls to support organizational growth.

Skills

Nonprofit accounting

GAAP knowledge

Audit coordination

MIP Fund Accounting

Fund accounting

AI tools in finance

Tools

MIP Fund Accounting

Job description

Austin Symphony Orchestra seeks a Controller to own the day-to-day financial operations, leading and performing in a hands-on role, partnering with the CEO and Fractional CFO to ensure financial integrity as we scale.

The Controller will oversee GAAP-compliant accounting, maintain the general ledger, manage month-end close, and supervise the finance team, with responsibilities spanning audits, grants, and strategic reporting.