Controller

Company Overview:

Musicals are what we do, and The 5th Avenue Theatre is one of America's leading musical theaters.

As a nonprofit company and our region's largest performing arts employer, we spread the joy of great musicals, enrich the community with this art form, and give the Pacific Northwest a front-row seat to original powerhouse productions that light up marquees and audiences all the way to Broadway.  Through our nationally acclaimed education programs, we reach more than 75,000 young people with programs designed to develop new musicals and ensure the next generation of great musical storytelling.

We share a core belief that Musical Theatre is critical to uplifting and reflecting the humanity around us, and that The 5th Avenue is a vital resource for Seattle, Downtown, and The Pacific Northwest.  Our diversity of people and talents are unified behind these truths, working hard to make great art and sustain a great work culture of belonging & inclusion.

Position Summary:
The 5th Avenue Theatre has an excellent opportunity for a ¾ FTE, temp to permanent position of Controller. This is a key finance leadership position at The 5th Avenue Theatre.  If you are a highly skilled accountant, experienced in this role, and would enjoy working with others in the exciting world of musical theater, this is the job for you!

We are looking for candidates who demonstrate outstanding skills that meet or exceed the requirements in this job posting, excellent technical abilities including attention to detail; and someone who is a team player, enthusiastic, articulate and has an interest in the arts.

Position: Controller
Department: Finance
Reports to: Chief Financial Officer
FLSA Classification: .75 FTE temporary to permanent position, salaried exempt
Compensation: The annual range for this position is $75,000 - $80,000, DOE
Work Location: The 5th Avenue Theatre Administrative Offices, in the Skinner Building downtown Seattle (1326 5th Ave, Suite 735, Seattle, WA 98101). There are opportunities for remote work.
Posting Date: April 2024; this is a rolling application process, and the posting will close as soon as our successful candidate has been selected.

Position Overview:

The Controller collaborates on all accounting and related financial reporting systems, ensuring accuracy and internal controls of the financial information gathering systems, as well as compliance with GAAP and regulatory requirements.

This position is responsible for regular financial reporting to department managers, investigation of budget to actual differences and working with the CFO on regular year-end financial and cash flow forecasts. They assist the CFO in the development of the annual operating and cash flow budget, as well as other information critical to the financial management of the organization. They work closely with the Grants Manager in compiling required financial data for grant applications.

The Controller will actively participate in preparing for and working with all external audits, as well as all regulatory filings. They are responsible for establishing, monitoring, and enforcing internal controls to protect the organization’s assets.  The person in this position regularly performs a wide variety of complex accounting processes requiring initiative and independent judgment.

Principle Duties and Responsibilities:

Manage Daily Operations

• Responsible for accuracy and internal control compliance in daily processing
• Responsible for supporting financial infrastructure that supports accuracy of data retrieval and input into general ledger system
• Responsible for supporting logical and consistent account structure that serves the financial management needs of departments and the organization
• Use technical accounting and problem solving expertise to help resolve financial tracking and coding issues
• Work with users of financial reporting, providing guidance on how the financial system can best meet their needs

Regular Financial Reporting, Year-End Forecasting and Cash Management

• Issuing monthly & show specific departmental financial statements
• Investigate and discuss budget to actual differences with department managers
• Provide additional analysis and recommend potential year-end forecast variances to CFO
• Assist CFO in predicting cash flow needs using monthly budgets and cash flow trends
• Assist CFO in preparing Financial reporting to the organization’s Board of Directors

Specialty Financial Reporting:

Review and monitor internal and external show contracts

• Ensure that show royalty deposits, guarantees and final payments are paid on a timely basis
• Track and communicate collection of co-production receivable payments
• Work with CFO in Tour settlement process and payment
• Respond promptly and thoroughly to grant related financial information as requested
• Complete financial surveys
• Complete annual insurance coverage renewal

Collaborative Financial Management

• Work with CFO and department managers to develop Annual Budget
• Work with CFO and department managers to develop and maintain Cash Flow Plan
• Work with CFO to develop other financial analysis critical to management of organization

Audit & Regulatory compliance work

• Collaborate on timing of annual audit, single audit and tax return
• Collaborate on the gathering of all required supporting documentation
• Coordinate preparation for year-end close and participate in annual audit documents
• Reconcile final year-end reports to year-end forecast and resolve differences
• Work with CFO to finalize all financial statements with auditors
• Ensure compliance with all state registrations, filings and tax payments including quarterly and annual B&O, Excise, Gambling and Property Tax returns.
• Establish, monitor and enforce internal control – protection of assets
• Monitor internal control functions and propose/implement new controls as necessary

Departmental Leadership Expectations

• Develop and recommend improvements in accounting and payroll policies and procedures
• Foster an environment of continuous improvement, establishing financial and administrative systems to support the organization’s operations
• Communicate effectively with staff throughout the organization, leading the department to promote a positive, supportive and customer-oriented environment

Desired Qualifications and Competencies:
The ideal candidate for this position will possess most of these skills and qualifications, or relevant experience and achievements to help them meet needs of the role.

• Bachelor of Arts in accounting or business or equivalent work experience
• At least eight years’ direct accounting experience required
• Thorough working knowledge of non-profit GAAP accounting preferred
• Advanced knowledge of accounting principles, journal entries, and proficiency with accounting software (MIP preferred)
• Detail oriented, highly organized, with a demonstrated ability to manage multiple schedules and changing deadlines and priorities
• Strong communication skills (written and verbal)
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Excellent organizational, documentation, and accuracy skills
• Advanced proficiency with Excel, and at least intermediate skills in other Microsoft Office programs (Word, Outlook, PowerPoint)
• Demonstrated ethics and integrity; skills in exercising good independent judgment and demonstrable analytical abilities
• Able to work in a fast-paced environment
• Demonstrated abilities in “people skills,” including building trust and rapport in business relationships and demonstrating listening skills, poise, and tact
• Flexibility, able to be calm under pressure
• Demonstrated regular and reliable attendance and punctuality
• Passion for the importance of the arts and, ideally, musical theater

Additional Benefits:

The 5th Avenue Theatre employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package including Medical, Dental, & Vision package; Sick, Personal, & Vacation time; ten paid holidays per calendar year, commuter benefits (Orca Card and reduced-price parking); Life and Disability Insurance; enrollment option in the company’s 401(k) retirement plan and tax-advantage savings accounts; complimentary performance tickets to most shows.

Additional Requirements:

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of background and reference checks.

To Apply:

Qualified candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, and references to careers@5thavenue.org. Please include Controller in the subject line.