Controller, Accounting, Financial Reporting

Position

Controller

Finance

Chief Financial Officer

Full Time, Exempt

New York, NY

$130,000 – $150,000

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.

Supervision and Team Leadership

• 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

Consolidation and Financial Reporting

• 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

Treasury

• 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

Technical Accounting

• 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 consolidated entities

Internal Controls and SOPs

• Document, implement, and govern internal controls across all finance processes
• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures for the finance function
• Identify control gaps and implement remediation plans
• Ensure segregation of duties and appropriate authorization protocols are always maintained

External Audit and Compliance

• Serve as day‑to‑day audit coordinator with the external audit firm
• Manage the PBC list, auditor requests, and fieldwork timelines; ensure audit readiness throughout the year
• Own internal controls testing and serve as primary control owner of record
• Coordinate regulatory filings — including Form 990 and state registrations — with external advisors
• Coordinate entity‑level tax compliance across all legal entities with external tax advisors
• Prepare quarterly sales tax filings in coordination with external advisors

Systems and Process

• Serve as functional owner of the core accounting system — COA governance and system integrity
• Identify and drive process improvements that reduce manual error and increase efficiency
• Support the CFO with financial analysis and board reporting as…