Controller

Controller

Reporting to the chief financial officer, the controller will oversee all core accounting operations and financial reporting while supervising a team of five professional staff members. The person in this role carries primary responsibility for the integrity of AEI’s general ledger, accounts payable and receivable, payroll, financial reporting, and internal controls.

The controller will play a key role in maintaining the financial discipline and operational rigor required to support a leading national research institution. The successful candidate will bring technical expertise and sound judgment and will work closely with program leadership to ensure that financial processes effectively support AEI’s research mission and operational priorities.

This is a leadership role for a professional who combines strong accounting expertise with the ability to manage people, improve processes, and maintain the highest standards of financial stewardship.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all accounting operations, including the general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and financial reporting.
• Maintain the integrity of the chart of accounts and accounting systems, ensuring their compliance with generally accepted accounting principles and regulatory requirements.
• Design, implement, and continuously strengthen accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls.
• Prepare accurate and timely financial statements and lead the fiscal year–end close process.
• Manage the annual external audit, working closely with independent auditors and ensuring a smooth and efficient process.
• Oversee compliance with all required federal, state, and local filings, including tax and regulatory returns, and ensure timely and accurate reporting related to employee benefit plans, including form 5500.
• Lead the annual budget preparation process and monitor financial performance throughout the year, including tracking results against budget and preparing variance analyses and forecasts for senior management.
• Lead, mentor, and develop the accounting team while maintaining a collaborative and high-performing department.
• Prepare routine and ad hoc financial reports and analyses for senior leadership.
• Manage banking relationships and monitor liquidity to ensure operational needs are met.
• Support grant management and ensure compliance with donor requirements and applicable regulations.

Qualifications

• A certified public accountant license (required)
• A bachelor’s degree in accounting or business administration (required)
• 10 or more years of progressive accounting experience, including significant experience supervising accounting staff
• Significant experience in nonprofit accounting or public accounting with a nonprofit client base (strongly preferred)
• Demonstrated solid experience managing audits and producing high-quality financial reporting
• Demonstrated experience managing annual budget preparation and monitoring financial performance against budget, including variance analysis and reporting to senior leadership
• A strong understanding of internal controls, accounting systems, compliance, and financial management best practices
• A proven ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining exceptional attention to detail
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to explain complex financial concepts clearly to nonfinancial colleagues
• High personal integrity, sound judgment, and a strong sense of responsibility for the organization’s financial stewardship
• Experience with Sage Intacct, Solver, or similar cloud-based accounting systems (preferred)