Controller

The Controller is responsible for the management of all financial accounting, treasury, tax, and compliance areas of the Met. The Controller will report to and work closely with the Chief Financial Officer and communicate with other senior management in overseeing the finances of the organization. He/she will manage the annual audit and implement improvements to financial systems. This position will work closely with budget staff and take a leadership role in planning sound fiscal management of the Met. 

Primary Responsibilities

• Accounting, Treasury, and Investments
• Manage all accounting functions, including cash receipts, cash disbursements, accounts receivable, and accounts payable. Supervise the preparation of monthly financial reports. 
• Oversee management of the general ledger system and chart of accounts; ensure that transactions are recorded in accordance with GAAP and that the monthly and year-end close processes are timely. Manage audits for the financial statements, Retirement Plan, 403(b) Plan, IRS, other regulatory agency, and various union audits.
• Oversee all treasury and cash analysis, including evaluating cash flows for operating and capital needs. Supervise cash management procedures.
• Oversee tracking of investment performance and monitoring of split interest agreements.  Ensure proper investment reporting for multiple investment pools for the Endowment and Retirement Plan and other investment accounts. Coordinate with external Investment Manager on planning and execution of transactions. Ensure collection and summarization of documentation and underlying data for alternative investments.
• Draft technical accounting memoranda to document the organization’s treatment of material transactions under ASC 958, ASC 606 and other relevant accounting guidance




• Compliance Oversight
• Monitor restricted and endowment funds to ensure donor and regulatory compliance.  Collaborate with legal, development, and program staff to corroborate restrictions, use, net asset classifications, and spending rule amounts.
• Manage debt compliance. Participate in negotiating credit facilities as required. Ensure compliance with all banking, public bond disclosure, and rating agency requirements and reporting.
• Manage all tax and compliance requirements including preparation of Form 990s, 990-Ts, benefit plan 5500s, sales taxes, escheat, state registrations, excise taxes, and census reporting.
• Ensure proper reporting and accounting for business operations areas, including contribution and exchange transactions, box office accounting and reconciliations, media and royalty accounting, retail sales accounting, and project accounting.
• Ensure compliance with pension requirements and work with actuary to review projections and reports.




• Organizational Collaboration and Management:
• Manage payroll operations, ensuring proper internal controls and IRS and regulatory compliance.  Ensure appropriate payroll tax withholding and reporting compliance for employees and independent contractors.
• Ensure proper recording of gifts and compliance with donor restrictions. Support development in providing information for funder applications and reports. Coordinate with development to manage major gift processing.
• Establish and monitor the organization’s internal controls and related policies and procedures.
• Provide information for and participate in meetings of the Investment, Audit, and Finance Committees of the Board.
• Coordinate with the budget staff on budgeting and analysis of actual results.
• Manage business systems staff responsible for the maintenance and automation of accounting and financial systems; collaborate with the Information Systems department to implement accounting and finance software systems to automate the finance function.
• Collaborate with the HR department in assessing and administering benefit plans, including the Defined Benefit Retirement Plan, defined contribution plans, various welfare plans, workers’ compensation spending and trends, and medical plan renewals and trends. Contribute to process improvement of the dues and contributions process.
• Collaborate with the Legal Department to manage the insurance risk management program. Participate with Lincoln Center and other constituents in the negotiation and renewal of shared property and excess liability policies. Provide accounting edits on drafts of pledge and sponsorship agreements.

 

Skills and Qualifications

• BA degree in Accounting or equivalent. CPA required.
• Solid technical accounting skills are essential, as are strong computer skills.  Knowledge and experience with ERP system configurations and implementations a plus.
• A working knowledge of regulations governing non-profit organizations is key; knowledge of the performing arts is helpful.
• A minimum of 8 years experience, with at least 3 years in a supervisory role.
• Strong supervisory and communication skills.

Physical Demands

• Ability to multi-task.
• Must work well under pressure and in a fast-paced environment.
• Must be able to work evenings and weekends as needed.
• Must be able to work in-person a minimum of four days a week 

The Metropolitan Opera is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and existing employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), national origin, citizenship status, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information (including characteristics and testing), military and veteran status, or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws.