Assistant Controller

Description

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Assistant Controller is a senior technical accounting and mentoring role within the Finance & Accounting organization, reporting directly to the Vice President of Finance. This position leads key components of the month-end close, serves as the organization's primary resource for technical accounting research and application of U.S. GAAP, and strengthens coverage across critical accounting areas such as royalties, sales tax, and inventory accounting.

This position also owns financial analysis and forecasting, with particular emphasis on cash-flow forecasting that supports audit readiness, financial reporting, and executive decision-making. The Accounting Operations Manager retains ownership of the annual budgeting process and oversight of the Budget Analyst; the Assistant Controller supports that process by contributing budgeting experience, technical accounting perspective, and forecasting expertise, without owning budgeting directly.

The Assistant Controller directly supervises the Senior Accountant(s) and Accountant(s), and provides technical accounting guidance and close-related coordination to the General Ledger Accountant on a dotted-line basis, while the General Ledger Accountant continues to report directly to the Vice President of Finance.

The Assistant Controller plays a lead role in developing and mentoring accounting team members, building technical capability and team coverage, and modernizing accounting processes through the practical, well-controlled use of automation and artificial intelligence tools. This position partners closely with the Vice President of Finance, the Accounting Operations Manager, and the General Ledger Accountant to improve financial accuracy, reduce concentration risk, strengthen audit readiness, and support the organization's broader financial reporting and stewardship goals.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS:

Reports to: Vice President of Finance

Direct reports: Senior Accountant(s) and Accountant(s), with full supervisory responsibility for these roles.

Dotted-line relationship: The General Ledger Accountant reports directly to the Vice President of Finance, but partners closely with, and receives technical accounting guidance and close-related coordination from, the Assistant Controller.

Coordinating relationship: Works closely with the Accounting Operations Manager (who owns budgeting and oversees the Budget Analyst) on team priorities, workload balance, staffing, and day-to-day execution, and partners with the Budget Analyst on forecasting and budget-to-actual analysis. Serves as a key technical advisor to the Vice President of Finance.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Month-End Close & Financial Reporting

Lead designated components of the month-end close process, partnering with the GL Accountant and Accounting Operations Manager to support timely and accurate close execution

Prepare and post journal entries (accruals, adjustments, reclasses)

Prepare and maintain balance sheet reconciliations for assigned accounts

Assist in the preparation of financial statements and management reports in compliance with U.S. GAAP and other applicable requirements

Reconciliation & Review

Review account reconciliations prepared by staff to ensure accuracy and completeness

Investigate and resolve discrepancies and variances

Ensure reconciling items are properly supported and cleared in a timely manner

Technical Accounting & Audit

Lead technical accounting research and application of U.S. GAAP for routine and non-routine transactions

Draft accounting memos and recommend accounting positions aligned with company policy and GAAP

Serve as a primary resource for technical accounting guidance across the team

Prepare audit schedules, technical analyses, and audit support requests; serve as a point of contact for external auditors on assigned areas

Proactively identify and resolve complex accounting issues, reducing reliance on leadership

Keep up to date on emerging accounting and financial reporting issues relevant to 501(c)(3) and nonprofit organizations

Financial Analysis & Forecasting

Own cash-flow forecasting and related financial analysis, providing the Vice President of Finance with timely, reliable visibility into the organization's cash position and liquidity needs

Develop and maintain rolling forecasts and scenario analyses that support audit readiness, financial reporting, and executive decision-making

Prepare financial analyses and reports reflecting the financial status of the organization, and support financial policy development

Bring budgeting experience and technical accounting perspective to support the Accounting Operations Manager and Budget Analyst in the annual budgeting process and budget-to-actual analysis, without owning the budgeting process itself

Partner with the Accounting Operations Manager on the assumptions, timing, and financial-reporting implications that connect budgeting, forecasting, and the close process

Cross-Functional Support & Coverage

Provide flexible support across key accounting functions, including Senior Accountant responsibilities, Treasurer-related accounting support, and General Ledger Accountant responsibilities as needed

Support continuity across critical processes such as royalties, sales tax, and inventory accounting

Build and maintain working knowledge across these areas to strengthen team coverage and support evolving business needs, including increased responsibility over royalties accounting over time

Technology, Process Improvement & AI Enablement

Identify and implement improvements to inefficient or manual accounting processes

Interface with Information Technology to ensure appropriate systems and controls are in place to support the accounting department

Stay current on artificial intelligence, automation, and other emerging technologies relevant to accounting and finance, and evaluate practical, well-controlled ways to apply them to close, reconciliation, analysis, and reporting work

Champion responsible adoption of AI and automation tools within the accounting team, ensuring appropriate review, documentation, and internal controls accompany any AI-assisted output

Support financial system enhancements and implementations in partnership with the Financial Systems Analyst and Information Technology

Assist in documenting and standardizing accounting policies and procedures

Mentoring, Training & Team Development

Directly supervise the Senior Accountant(s) and Accountant(s), including workload assignment, performance management, and day-to-day guidance

Serve as the primary technical mentor and coach to the General Ledger Accountant on a dotted-line basis for technical accounting matters and close-related coordination, while the General Ledger Accountant continues reporting to the Vice President of Finance

Lead or facilitate training on technical accounting topics, GAAP updates, and effective use of accounting systems and AI-enabled tools

Support cross-training and succession-planning efforts to strengthen team flexibility and coverage

Provide ongoing coaching, performance feedback, and development planning for direct reports, and coordinate with the Vice President of Finance on the General Ledger Accountant's development

Foster a collaborative, high-accountability team culture focused on accuracy, growth, and shared ownership

Collaboration & Organizational Partnership

Partner with the Vice President of Finance to support team priorities, special projects, and organizational initiatives

Act as a technical resource across the Finance & Accounting organization

Communicate technical accounting concepts clearly to both financial and nonfinancial audiences

Collaborate with team members to ensure effective workload balance and continuity across responsibilities

Success Measures

Accurate and timely completion of assigned close responsibilities

Increased technical accounting capability within the team, reflected in the number of team members mentored and cross-trained

Reduced reliance on leadership for technical accounting decisions

Improved audit readiness and reduction in audit adjustments

Strengthened team coverage across key processes

Measurable improvements in efficiency, workload balance, and adoption of automation and AI tools within the accounting function

Requirements

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or a related field required

CPA preferred but not required

8-10+ years of progressive accounting experience, including strong experience with month-end close, general ledger accounting, and account reconciliations

Demonstrated experience in technical accounting research and application of U.S. GAAP

Experience supporting external audits

Prior experience mentoring, training, or informally leading accounting staff preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills

Ability to independently research and resolve complex accounting issues

Advanced Excel skills; ERP experience preferred (e.g., Microsoft Dynamics or similar financial systems)

Working knowledge of, and genuine interest in, AI and automation tools and their practical application to accounting and finance work

Strong attention to detail with a big-picture mindset

Effective communicator of technical accounting concepts to varied audiences

Demonstrated ability to mentor, coach, and develop the technical skills of others

Collaborative and adaptable across multiple responsibilities, with an ownership mindset and a focus on team success

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

Directly supervises the Senior Accountant(s) and Accountant(s)

Provides technical accounting leadership and close-related coordination to the General Ledger Accountant on a dotted-line basis; the General Ledger Accountant's formal reporting line remains the Vice President of Finance

Participates in interviewing and hiring of direct reports as requested

Maintains attendance records and conducts performance appraisals for direct reports

Partners with the Accounting Operations Manager on staffing, cross-training, and workload coverage across the broader accounting team

Demonstrates an ability to develop and maintain a teamwork attitude among staff

Minister to and pray with staff on an ongoing basis, encouraging spiritual and character development in carrying out the vision of this Ministry

EQUIPMENT TO BE USED

Computer and standard office equipment

Financial and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems

Microsoft Office applications, including advanced Excel

AI-enabled accounting, automation, and productivity tools

TYPICAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Ability to sit for extended periods and use a computer and other office equipment

Requires manual dexterity sufficient to operate standard office equipment

Requires normal range of hearing and vision

Must be able to pull, push, stand, sit, stoop, bend, reach, move, or carry light office equipment or materials

TYPICAL MENTAL DEMANDS

Must be detailed, organized, and communicative

Must be task- and goal-oriented with the ability to multi-task

Must adapt well to changing work situations and be able to grasp and apply new ideas, including new technology

Ability to give, receive, and analyze information, formulate work plans, prepare written materials, and articulate goals and action plans

Must relate and interact with people at all levels

WORKING CONDITIONS

Works in a normal office working environment

May require extended hours during month-end close, audits, and other peak periods

OTHER

Born again believer and must adhere to this organization's doctrines as upheld by Kenneth and Gloria Copeland and their appointed representatives

Must work well with others, as a team and according to Romans 16:17, must not cause dissension, difficulties, or divisions

Must maintain a good attendance record

Because of the wide range of personal contact with ministry leaders within and outside the organization, this position requires considerable diplomacy, maturity, and excellent communication skills

Ability to work with people of all cultures

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