Vice President - Controller, Align Credit Union, Lowell, MA

Cooperative Credit Union Association; Lowell (MA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

The Cooperative Credit Union Association is seeking a VP Controller to lead the Accounting Department and ensure accurate financial reporting and strong controls.

Reporting to the President & CEO and serving on the Senior Leadership Team, you will partner across risk, lending, IT, and operations to drive strategy and financial oversight.

This role requires CPA or MBA and 5–8 years of progressive financial leadership experience, with CECL and regulatory reporting expertise.

Qualifications

• Leadership experience overseeing accounting teams.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP and regulatory reporting.
• Ability to lead budgeting, forecasting and analysis.
• Effective communication with senior leadership and board.

Responsibilities

• Lead Accounting Department and oversee general ledger, AP, reconciliations, month-end close.
• Oversee monthly/quarterly/annual financial statements and regulatory reporting.
• Coordinate budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis, and financial planning.
• Oversee Allowance for Credit Losses (CECL) calculations and monitoring.
• Partner with Risk Management on internal controls and risk assessment.
• Participate in ALCO balance sheet management and liquidity analysis.
• Serve as financial subject matter expert for DNA and related systems.
• Coordinate with auditors and regulatory examiners on findings.

Skills

Leadership

Financial reporting

Budgeting & forecasting

Communication

Education

CPA or MBA

Tools

GAAP knowledge

DNA core system

Job description

The VP Controller is a key financial leader responsible for the accuracy, integrity, and timely completion of the Credit Union’s accounting and financial reporting functions.

Reporting to the President & CEO, the VP Controller leads the Accounting Department and partners with Risk Management, Lending, Operations, Information Technology, and other areas to maintain strong financial controls, regulatory compliance, accurate reporting, and sound financial decision-making.

Working closely with the SVP of Finance, who oversees cash management and investments, the VP Controller supports the Credit Union’s overall financial strategy. As a member of the Senior Leadership Team and Asset Liability Management Committee (ALCO), the VP Controller provides financial insight, identifies emerging risks and trends, strengthens internal controls, and helps advance the Credit Union’s strategic goals.

Responsibilities

• Accounting & Financial Oversight: Lead the Accounting Department, overseeing general ledger activities, accounts payable, reconciliations, month-end and year-end close, and the accuracy and integrity of financial records.
• Financial & Regulatory Reporting: Oversee timely and accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements, management and Board reporting, NCUA Call Reports, and other required state and federal filings.
• Budgeting, Forecasting & Analysis: Lead and support budgeting, forecasting, variance and profitability analysis, and financial planning. Provide leadership with insights into financial performance, trends, and emerging concerns.
• Allowance for Credit Losses / CECL: Oversee the calculation, analysis, documentation, and monitoring of the Allowance for Credit Losses in partnership with Risk Management and Lending, considering credit quality, delinquency, charge-offs, concentrations, qualitative factors, and economic assumptions.
• Risk Management & Internal Controls: Partner with Risk Management to identify financial and operational risks, support Enterprise Risk Management, strengthen internal controls and reconciliations, and ensure discrepancies, exceptions, and control weaknesses are addressed.
• ALCO & Balance Sheet Management: Actively participate in ALCO and provide analysis related to liquidity, interest rate risk, Net Economic Value (NEV), earnings, funding, capital, and overall balance sheet management. Partner with the SVP of Finance on cash management, investments, liquidity, and ALCO strategies.
• DNA & Financial Systems: Serve as a financial subject matter expert for DNA and related systems, including general ledger interfaces, transaction flows, reconciliations, data integrity, and financial reporting. Collaborate with IT and other departments on system changes, testing, upgrades, and issue resolution.
• Audit, Examination & Compliance: Serve as a primary financial contact for internal and external auditors and regulatory examiners. Coordinate financial information requests and support timely resolution of findings and corrective actions.
• Senior Leadership & Board Support: Serve on the Senior Leadership Team, providing financial expertise and strategic insight. Prepare and present financial performance, trends, risks, and recommendations to leadership and ALCO.
• Leadership & Continuous Improvement: Lead, coach, and develop Accounting employees while supporting accountability, cross-training, succession planning, and professional development. Identify opportunities to improve accounting processes, reporting, automation, controls, and organizational efficiency.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Requirements/Skills Needed

• 5–8 years of progressively responsible accounting or financial management experience, preferably in a credit union, bank, or other regulated financial institution.
• Previous supervisory or management experience required.
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• CPA, MBA, or other relevant professional designation preferred.

Financial & Technical Knowledge

Strong knowledge of GAAP, financial institution accounting, financial reporting, general ledger management, reconciliations, internal controls, budgeting, financial analysis, regulatory reporting, ACL/CECL, and balance sheet management.

Systems

Strong proficiency with spreadsheets and financial reporting applications. Experience with DNA or another financial institution core processing system strongly preferred, including knowledge of transaction flows, general ledger interfaces, reconciliations, and system-driven accounting processes.

Risk & Regulatory Knowledge

Strong understanding of financial institution risk management, internal controls, audits, examinations, regulatory reporting, and applicable federal and state requirements.

Leadership & Communication

Demonstrated ability to lead and develop employees, exercise sound judgment, identify and escape risks, collaborate across departments, manage competing priorities, and communicate complex financial information effectively to Senior Leadership and the Board of Directors.