Controller, Finance & Banking, Financial Manager

Warren Averett is seeking a financial professional to take over as controller for an established organization in Pensacola, FL. The Controller is a key finance leader responsible for ensuring the integrity of the organization’s financial operations while serving as a trusted partner to executive leadership, the Board, and operational teams across multiple sites. This role blends strong technical accounting expertise with the interpersonal skills required to support a mission-driven organization and guide teams toward equitable, sustainable financial outcomes.

The Controller will oversee accounting operations, lead the monthly close and financial reporting process, support budgeting and strategic analysis, and work closely with external auditors, bankers, investment advisors, and Board committees. This is a hands‑on, in‑office role with succession responsibility as two senior accountants approach retirement.

• Oversee all accounting operations including general ledger, financial reporting, cash management, and internal controls
• Review and provide analytical oversight of the monthly close package prepared by the accounting team
• Perform financial analytics to identify trends, risks, and opportunities, supporting executive decision‑making
• Lead and support cost‑benefit analyses, including program‑level financial evaluations (e.g., new or expanding service lines)

• Serve as primary liaison with external auditors (financial statement, workers’ compensation, and state audits)
• Ensure compliance with GAAP, nonprofit reporting standards (where applicable), and applicable regulatory requirements
• Support retirement plan oversight with exposure to ERISA‑related considerations, in partnership with plan administrators and advisors

• Lead the annual budgeting process, which occurs in October, in collaboration with leadership and operations teams
• Monitor budget‑to‑actual performance and communicate variances with clarity and context
• Partner with operational leaders to balance mission‑driven initiatives with financial sustainability

• Support Board and committee interactions through financial reporting, analysis, and presentations
• Participate in meetings with bankers, trust teams, and investment advisors related to cash, investments, and financing
• Oversee or collaborate on investment portfolio reporting and monitoring

• Work closely with operations leaders and program teams, many of whom are mission‑focused "do-gooders," to guide financial decisions toward equitable and practical outcomes
• Navigate differing priorities through collaboration, negotiation, and strong communication skills
• Travel quarterly to organizational sites to support fundraising and events, including on‑site financial operations (e.g., point‑of‑sale tools like "Square" for art sales and donation processing), and to visibly demonstrate management support
• Provide leadership, mentorship, and development to the accounting team
• Prepare to assume full accounting continuity as senior accountants transition toward retirement
• Foster a collaborative, high‑accountability team environment

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive accounting and financial leadership experience
• Strong technical accounting knowledge and analytical skills
• Prior supervisory or people management experience
• Experience working directly with external auditors
• Ability and willingness to travel to organizational sites for events and leadership presence (approximately quarterly)
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to work effectively across functions
• Accurate, timely, and insightful financial reporting
• Strong, trusted relationships with leadership, operations, and the Board
• Smooth audit processes and well‑maintained compliance
• A well‑prepared accounting team with clear succession coverage
• Financial decisions that balance mission impact with long‑term sustainability

• Experience in a nonprofit (NFP) environment
• Prior Board or Board committee interaction
• Familiarity with ERISA‑related matters
• Experience partnering with C‑suite executives and senior leadership

Warren Averett is an equal opportunity employer. We hire, promote and make all other employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, genetic information, military service, disability, age, or any other unlawful basis.