Vice President & Controller

American-Arbitration-Association; New York (NY); On-site; USD 217,000 - 243,000; Full time

Job summary

American Arbitration Association in New York seeks a Vice President & Controller to lead the accounting function, ensuring timely, accurate financial reporting, strong controls, and regulatory compliance.

Reporting to the CFO, you will drive the month‑end close, external audits, policy development, and finance transformation, while partnering with FP&A, IT, and business leaders to support strategic decision making.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of progressive accounting and finance experience.
• 5–7+ years leading enterprise accounting functions.
• CPA designation strongly preferred; multi-entity reporting experience.

Responsibilities

• Own monthly, quarterly, and annual close with accurate reporting.
• Lead external audits and manage auditor relationships.
• Establish GAAP-aligned policies and internal controls.
• Oversee accounting operations: AP, AR, payroll, fixed assets, cash.
• Drive accounting transformation with automation and standardization.

Skills

Leadership

GAAP compliance

Financial reporting

Audit coordination

Process improvement

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance

CPA designation

Job description

Pay Range:· Charlotte, Miami, San Antonio: $174,000 – $194,500· Atlanta, Buffalo, Dallas, Fresno: $184,000 – $205,700· Houston, Johnston, Minneapolis: $187,000 – $209,000· Chicago, Philadelphia, Voorhees: $195,700 – $218,700· Boston, Los Angeles: $203,700 - $227,600· New York City, San Francisco: $217,000 – $242,800SUMMARYThe Vice President & Controller is a senior enterprise leader responsible for the integrity, accuracy, timeliness, and reliability of the organization’s financial reporting, accounting operations, controls, and regulatory compliance. The role provides strategic leadership to the accounting function, builds organizational capability, and establishes the processes, controls, and standards required to support a complex and evolving organization. The Vice President & Controller demonstrates strong business acumen and communicates financial performance clearly and effectively to audiences at all levels, including executive leadership.Reporting to the CFO, the Controller is a core member of the executive Finance leadership team and works in close partnership with the CFO, the Vice President of Financial Planning & Strategy, and the Vice President of Finance Operations. The Controller has primary accountability for accounting, financial reporting, controls, audit, and related compliance matters while sharing responsibility for the overall quality and effectiveness of Finance.ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONSOrganization and Talent LeadershipBuild and lead a high-performing accounting organization, including talent development, succession planning, and organizational design for 15 direct and indirect reportsAct as a trusted advisor to the CFO and executive leaders on accounting implications of strategic and operational decisionsEnterprise Accounting and Financial ReportingOwn the integrity and effectiveness of the monthly, quarterly, and annual close, ensuring timely, accurate, and decision-useful financial reportingOwn the preparation and integrity of internal and external financial statements and related disclosuresProvide accurate financial results and accounting insights, partnering with FP&A to explain performance drivers and material variances to managementEstablish and enforce accounting policies aligned with GAAP and regulatory standardsControls, Audit, Tax, and Regulatory StewardshipServe as the primary owner and executive lead for all external audits, including planning, execution, issue resolution, and remediationEnsure audit readiness year-round and maintain strong relationships with external auditors, regulators, and advisorsOwn all federal, state, and local tax filings and compliance requirements, including coordination with external specialists as neededSupport the CFO in presenting financial reporting, audit results, accounting matters, and internal control topics to the Board of Directors and/or Audit CommitteeLead implementation of new accounting standards, ensuring timely adoption, proper documentation, and clear communication of impactsIdentify emerging accounting, reporting, control, compliance, and financial process risks and ensure appropriate controls, mitigation, escalation, and oversightAccounting Operations and TransformationOversee transactional accounting functions, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, cash management, fixed assets, investments, insurance, and technology-related accountingEstablish a continuous-improvement agenda for accounting operations, leveraging automation, standardization, and technology to improve speed, scalability, accuracy, and controlEnsure accounting operations scale effectively with organizational growth, complexity, and changeExecutive and Enterprise PartnershipLead the accounting workstream for acquisitions, mergers, joint ventures, strategic investments, and other complex transactions, including due diligence, transaction structuring considerations, purchase accounting, opening balance sheet preparation, and post-close integration.Ensure acquired entities’ accounting processes, controls, and reporting are integrated effectively into AAA’s frameworkPartner with executive and functional leaders on strategic initiatives, ensuring accounting, control, reporting, and financial governance implications are appropriately consideredSupport ad hoc projects, special initiatives, and emerging responsibilities that may not be explicitly defined but are necessary for effective finance leadershipEDUCATION & EXPERIENCEBachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related discipline requiredCPA designation strongly preferred; advanced coursework or certifications in accounting, audit, or finance transformation a plusSignificant progressive accounting and finance experience, typically 15+ years, including at least 5–7 years+ leading enterprise accounting functionsDemonstrated experience serving as Controller, Assistant Controller, or equivalent senior leader in a mid-sized to large organization, ideally with multi-entity, multi-fund, or complex reporting structuresDemonstrated success leading complex accounting organizations and developing senior accounting talentProven track record leading month-, quarter-, and year-end close and financial statement preparation in environments requiring high accuracy, strong controls, and tight timelinesExtensive experience designing, implementing, and operating internal control frameworks, financial policies, and audit processesExperience directing external audit relationships, including planning, execution, issue resolution, and remediation, as well as preparing materials for the Board, Audit Committee or similar governance bodiesExperience leading accounting transformation initiatives, including process redesign, system implementations or upgrades, automation, and standardizationExperience partnering with FP&A, IT, and business leaders to ensure accounting structures support analytics, forecasting, and strategic decision-makingThe American Arbitration Association is an equal opportunity employer (EEO) and we value diversity in our workplace. We consider all employees and applicants for positions without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.