Controller, Accounting, Financial Reporting

Controller

Position: Controller

Department: Finance

Reports to: Chief Financial Officer

FLSA Status: Full Time, Exempt

Location: New York, NY

Compensation: $130,000 – $150,000

In December 2024, The Apollo Theater became the first organization honored by the Kennedy Center Awards, emphasizing The Apollo’s impact on the past, present, and future of American culture and the performing arts. From the longest-running talent show in America with Amateur Night at The Apollo, which launched the careers of icons like Ella Fitzgerald and Lauryn Hill, to performances from beloved legends like Smokey Robinson and Lil’ Kim and today’s biggest stars like Drake, The Apollo has always been a home for artists to create and a home for audiences to see incredible music and art from legendary artists.

The Apollo is an American cultural treasure. It is a vibrant non‑profit organization rooted in the Harlem community that engages people from around New York, the nation, and the world. Since 1934, The Apollo has celebrated, created, and presented work that centers Black artists and voices from across the African Diaspora. It has also been a catalyst for social and civic advocacy.

Today, The Apollo is the largest performing arts institution committed to Black culture and creativity.

The Controller is the Apollo Theater Foundation's senior hands‑on accounting leader, responsible for executing the full month‑end close, producing consolidated financial statements, and maintaining the integrity of the general ledger. Reporting to the CFO, this role owns the day‑to‑day accounting function so the CFO can focus on strategy, planning, and board relationships. The Controller is accountable for the accuracy of all financial information and serves as the primary coordinator for the annual audit.

The Controller works across organizational boundaries — partnering with program leaders on budget‑to‑actual reporting, coordinating with external auditors and tax advisors, and supporting the CFO in preparing materials for board and leadership review. This role requires the ability to build trust with non‑financial stakeholders and translate accounting into language that informs decisions.

• Directly supervise the Accountant, and oversee the AP / Accounting Clerk through that role
• Serve as the anchor of the finance team's reporting structure, establishing and maintaining segregation of duties across accounting, accounts payable, and payroll
• Set close-cycle priorities, review staff work product, and develop the accounting team's technical capability
• Provide coverage planning and cross‑training to eliminate single‑owner dependencies within the finance function

• Execute the consolidated month‑end close, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and proper documentation
• Prepare multi‑entity financial statements with full intercompany eliminations in accordance with GAAP
• Maintain the general ledger, chart of accounts, and annual approved budget across all accounting systems
• Own and enforce the close calendar; coordinate the monthly close process across departments
• Deliver monthly budget‑to‑actual reporting with narrative to the CFO on a timely basis

• Oversee the monthly bank reconciliation process
• Review and approve all payments before final executive sign‑off
• Monitor daily cash balances and maintain cash flow forecasts
• Maintain the debt covenant compliance framework and calendar across all active financing instruments
• Track financial and reporting covenants; escalating potential defaults or breaches to the CFO

• Oversee the accounting for donor‑restricted net assets, ensuring proper classification, tracking, and release from restriction in accordance with donor intent and GAAP
• Supervise grant expenditure reporting and draw documentation in coordination with program teams
• Maintain lease accounting schedules, journal entries, and disclosures in accordance with applicable accounting standards
• Research and document accounting positions on complex or emerging issues
• Ensure GAAP compliance and identify areas of accounting risk across all…