Controller, Finance

Music Will runs the largest nonprofit music education program in the U.S. public school system. We transform lives by transforming music education.

Using genres including rock, pop, Latin, and hip hop, our program empowers teachers to build music programs as diverse as the kids they serve. As a result, students see themselves reflected in their classes, which strengthens their connection to their school, their peers, and their community. Music Will also donates necessary instruments and curriculum, meeting a key need of many school music programs.

Since 2002, Music Will has served more than 1,800,000 students in more than 6,000 schools in over 1,000 cities and communities across 50 states with highly inclusive and culturally responsive music education. Today, over 1 million kids currently participate in Music Will programs, and we’ve set an ambitious goal to serve 11 million students annually by 2030. Learn more here: www.musicwill.org.

Reporting directly to the Chief Finance & Operating Officer (CFOO), the Controller is the organization's senior hands‑on accounting leader, responsible for the integrity, accuracy, and timeliness of Music Will's financial reporting and accounting operations.

The Controller will own the monthly close, maintain strong accounting processes and internal controls, oversee cash‑flow reporting and forecasting, support budgeting and rolling forecasts, and manage the annual audit and related financial reporting requirements. The role will ensure compliance with GAAP and nonprofit accounting standards, including restricted revenue, grants, and revenue recognition.

This role will also serve as a practical business partner to department leaders, translating financial information into clear, useful insights while supervising and developing the team member responsible primarily for accounts payable and accounts receivable.

• Own and manage the monthly close process, ensuring accurate and timely recording, reconciliation and reporting of financial transactions, including cash activity, pledges, journal entries, accruals, restricted funds, and grants.
• Ensure accounting practices and financial statements comply with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and applicable nonprofit accounting standards, including revenue recognition, restricted contributions, grants, and functional expense reporting, while maintaining accurate financial documentation, established accounting policies, and a strong internal control environment.
• Maintain the integrity of the general ledger, chart of accounts, and subsidiary ledgers while administering and continuously improving Sage Intacct and related accounting processes, systems, and controls.
• Develop and maintain cash‑flow reporting and a rolling 13‑week cash‑flow forecast to support liquidity and cash‑management decisions.
• Lead monthly financial forecasting and update full‑year revenue and expense projections in partnership with the CFOO and department leaders, including collaboration with the Development team on fundraising projections, grants, and restricted revenue.
• Partner with department managers to review monthly budget‑to‑actual performance, understand variances, and update projections.
• Lead the annual organizational budget process, including developing templates and assumptions, consolidating departmental budgets, and preparing financial reports for review.
• Ensure accurate and timely preparation of monthly financial statements and reports, including maintaining supporting financial documentation and preparing work papers for the annual external audit and Form 990 preparation.
• Manage the annual external audit process, including preparing audit schedules and supporting…