VP, Controller

Position Title:

VP & Controller

Department:

Accounting

Corporate Area:

Finance

Status:

Regular, Full time Exempt

Manager Title:

Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer

Position Overview:

The Vice President, Controller is responsible for the structure, services, and quality of the financial controllership function for the organization, leading sound fiscal practices and systems that ensure and promote the organization’s continued growth and success.

They serve as the chief accounting officer for PBS and are responsible for the quality and administration of PBS’s accounting, GAAP financial reporting, and analytical activities in support of its mission. They are responsible for all the related financial, tax, grant and regulatory reporting, including those of its wholly owned and consolidated subsidiaries.

The VP, Controller serves as the primary liaison to the PBS community for development and administration of financial policies & procedures and financial systems. They are responsible for the development and leadership of the accounting staff, seeking ways to better service and support PBS’s expanding network of constituencies.

The candidate hired will be a CPA with a strong service mindset. As a collaborative leader, s/he will bring extensive knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and generally accepted auditing standards (GAAS), and a thorough understanding of fund accounting and working knowledge of federal guidelines applicable to PBS.

Key responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• As team leader of the Controllership organization, ensure effective service and management by:
• Working collaboratively with the Vice President of FP&A teams to mentor and help address specific projects needing top level attention.
• Develop and maintain qualified, diverse staff through appropriate hiring, staff development and training, and effective and timely performance feedback.
• Foster and sustain a collaborative relationship based on mutual respect across the organization and advocate for a stronger sense of teamwork and partnership.
• Implement sustainable cultural and organizational change in a sensitive way, effectively socializing new approaches and initiatives.
• Convey a passion for PBS’s public service mission and project values of collaboration, learning and respect.
• Ensure that staff provides responsive and reliable service on a timely basis.
• Oversee 3 direct reports in a department of 14 employees:
• Director, Financial Reporting
• Senior Director and Assistant Controller, Accounting Operations
• Senior Director, Tax and Compliance
• Manage the workflow of the accounting department including:
• Assuring the receivable and payable functions provide for efficient and timely collection of amounts due from customers and payment of obligations owed to vendors;
• Overseeing payroll processing and reporting to ensure employees are paid, and external reporting is prepared, correctly and timely;
• Ensuring all monthly journal entries are entered into system timely & accurately;
• Scheduling and coordinating monthly, quarterly and year-end closings to provide timely and precise feedback of information to PBS departments, Board of Directors as well as timely preparation of external reports;
• Ensuring timely preparation and review of monthly account analyses and activity to ensure PBS activities and transactions are accurately reflected; and
• Setting appropriate priorities within the department to distribute and control the workload.
• Ensure the following areas are properly analyzed and accounted for:
• Contracts and grants (federal and non-federal)
• Programming funds and the related broadcast rights
• Donated broadcast rights
• Fixed assets
• Investments
• Commitments
• Establish appropriate policies and procedures to ensure adequate internal control over financial accounting and reporting.
• Direct the preparation of the quarterly financial statements and analysis for PBS and consolidated operations.
• Implement appropriate FASBs and other technical guidance and required financial reporting relevant to PBS.
• Coordinate all financial statement audits of PBS and PBS Foundation.
• Formulate and implement improved policies and procedures relative to the accounting department operations to ensure processes are streamlined and efficient.
• Ensure integrity of control environment and other financial data/results.
• Oversee all financial, project/program, and grants accounting; ensuring that expenditures are consistently aligned with grant and program budgets throughout the year. Ensure timely and accurate reporting of federal and non-federal contracts and grants in compliance with contract/grant, federal compliance requirements, and other regulations.
• Ensure that PBS is meeting their grant programmatic and fiduciary responsibilities required by the grant agreements and Federal regulations.
• Manage PBS’s taxable compliance activities including:
• Annual filing of federal and state tax returns, including Form 990, for PBS and PBS Foundation;
• Filing of state and local tax returns, as applicable;
• Miscellaneous tax related filings;
• Remain alert to unrelated business income tax issues and developments.
• Support all relevant Board and Committee activities and reporting including the Finance, Audit and Investment Committees.
• Oversee the preparation of the annual indirect cost rate proposal.
• Direct the maintenance of accounting processes and procedures documentation.
  
  

Requirements for success:

• 12 years or more of overall related experience.
• 5-8 years of experience in public accounting with non-profit reporting exposure.
• Strong management experience with demonstrated record of progressive responsibility.
• Experience working as controller or assistant controller in a complex non-profit organization is preferred.
• Experience in managing compliance and reporting of grants, both federal and non-federal.
• A track-record of successful management and preparation of all aspects of an audit, the IRS Form 990 and financial statements.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting (MBA a plus).
• CPA required.
  
  
  

Other Desired Skills and Qualities:

• Deep knowledge and current familiarity with accounting theory and practice.
• Technically savvy with experience in a wide variety of accounting systems and financial reporting tools.
• Unassailable integrity, credibility, and the capacity to commit to PBS’s mission and values.
• Intelligent and intellectually curious with the ability to hold their own working alongside bright, talented professionals.
• Commitment to recruiting, mentoring, training, and retaining a diverse team.
• Strong team builder and ability to effectively direct and inspire staff.
• Proactive with a real penchant for getting things done well and on a timely basis.
• A style that is interactive, collaborative and customer service oriented.
• A steady hand, good at multi-tasking, and an unflappable personality.
• Attention to detail with a pride in accuracy.
• Agnostic about level, plays as well up as down in an organization.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks under tight deadlines.
• React to change positively and productively.
  
  
  

PBS is an Equal Opportunity Employer in accordance with the EEOC and the Commonwealth of Virginia