Controller

TITLE: Controller
REPORTS TO: Vice President and CFO
STATUS: Exempt; full time
LOCATION: Minneapolis, hybrid eligible
COMPENSATION: $105,000 - $123,000 annual salary
Job Summary
MacPhail Center for Music is dedicated to transforming lives and strengthening communities through inspirational music learning experiences. With a deep passion for sharing our expertise, MacPhail offers outstanding faculty, highly credible programs, iconic buildings, and performance halls, fostering the development of creative lifelong music learners. We are seeking an Accounting Manager who is not only highly skilled but also shares our commitment to this mission. A candidate who is passionate about the transformative power of music education will thrive in this role and contribute meaningfully to our work.
The Controller is responsible for overseeing the organization’s day-to-day accounting operations, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and timely financial reporting. Working closely with the CFO, this role helps shape and maintain effective accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls. Additionally, this position plays a pivotal role in preparing and reviewing financial statements, while ensuring proper management of endowment structures and restricted funds. The ideal candidate will bring analytical skills and financial expertise to support the organization’s mission and growth.
RESPONSIBILITIES and ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Accounting And Financial Reporting

• Leads the month end close process, including preparation of journal entries and account reconciliations.
• Review and reconcile reporting of general contributions and restricted gifts and record appropriate journal entries.
• Review and reconcile journal entries related to tuition, fees, and scholarships.
• Owns the AR and AP processes, including aging, payment terms, and collections.
• Owns the cash flow process; including bank reconciliations, develops the forecast of cash needs, and makes cash flow recommendations to CFO.
• Leads the preparation of monthly financial statements (P&L, Cashflow, and Balance Sheet) for the executive team.
• Creates and maintains accounting procedures, policies, and internal controls that ensure clarity of activities and accuracy of financial statements.
• Maintains Fixed Asset policy, tracking, and depreciation schedules as well as leads annual capital planning process.
• Act as the system administrator for Sage Intacct which includes managing chart of accounts, vendor set-up, and dynamic report development.

Audit and Compliance

• Leads preparation for the annual audits and partners with external auditors for audit readiness.
• Assists CFO in preparation for the Audit and Finance Committee and Investment Committee.
• Ensure compliance with all accounting principles, regulations, and best practices
• Partners with outside auditors for preparation and filing of the 990

Grant and Endowment Management

• Partner with Finance Analyst to develop accounting procedures for grant activity and provide data needed in reporting.
• Provide data and insights for grant reporting.
• Oversee the management of restricted funds and the release of endowment funds in compliance with donor restrictions.

Leadership and Team Collaboration

• Trains and supports finance team and department management on financial monitoring and expense coding.
• Collaborate with other departments to provide financial insights to ensure proper expense tracking.
• Work closely with the CFO to provide strategic financial input for decision-making.

Additional Duties

• Take on other responsibilities and projects as assigned by leadership, ensuring flexibility and adaptability to changing organizational needs.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting and/or finance.
• 8+ years of accounting experience.
• Nonprofit financial experience preferred but not required.
• Thorough knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Proficiency with accounting software, including system administration; Sage Intacct preferred, but not required.
• High level of accuracy, efficiency, analytical skills, and attention to detail.
• Self-directed, ability to solve problems independently, and can navigate all levels of an organization.
• Demonstrated leadership with experience in training and supporting finance teams.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft products, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.