Controller

Job Highlights 

The Controller oversees general ledger management, financial reporting, audit coordination, tax compliance, and internal controls to provide timely and accurate financial analysis and reporting to meet the strategic priorities and operational objectives of the organization. This position requires technical accounting expertise, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to communicate financial information clearly to non-financial stakeholders.

Join Us!

We are looking for talented, passionate, and dedicated people who are eager to make contributions to our community and our mission. If you are excited about this position but your experience does not align perfectly, we encourage you to apply! You may be just the right candidate for this position or another role at HGO.

About the Houston Grand Opera

The mission of HGO is to enrich our diverse community through the art of opera. We do so by creating, curating, exploring, and producing outstanding experiences centered around the human voice. HGO has received a Tony Award, three Grammy Awards, and three Emmy Awards – we are the only opera company in the world to win all three honors.

Our strategic focus is two-fold: creating profoundly enriching experiences for our diverse audiences and clearly defining and positively promoting the HGO brand. We believe every team member enriches our organization by exposing a broad range of ways to understand and engage our community and discover, design, and deliver enriching experiences.

Compensation and Benefits

We offer robust benefits to full-time employees, including:

• Comprehensive and affordable health benefits.
• Generous paid time off.
• 403b retirement plan with employer match.
• Flexible work schedule.
• Professional development fund and opportunities.
• Discounted parking in the Theater District garage and nearby lots, plus easy access to Metro transportation.
• Free tickets to our mainstage and community productions and events.

Key Responsibilities

Accounting Operations

• Oversee accounting operations, including general ledger, accounts payable, fixed assets, revenue, payroll accounting, and cash management.

• Manage month-end and year-end close processes, including account reviews, reconciliations, and preparation of financial and management reporting packages.
• Manage financial operations and record-keeping for the Endowment, including the quarterly closing process, preparation of the investment roll forward, oversight of the named endowment funds, review of investment tax consequences, and preparation of general ledger entries.
• Develop, implement, and maintain a comprehensive system of internal controls to safeguard organizational assets and ensure the reliability of financial reporting.
• Maintain and enforce financial policies and procedures, updating documentation as needed.

Audit, Tax & Compliance

• Coordinate the annual audit and preparation of audited financial statements.
• Coordinate of preparation of the annual IRS Form 990s and any required state charitable registration filings.
• Ensure organizational compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local financial and tax reporting requirements, including required state charitable registration filings, sales tax returns, payroll W2 and 1042 tax returns, and 1099 tax filings
• Maintain compliance with grant reporting requirements; prepare or review financial reports for government, foundation, and corporate funders as required.
• Monitor changes in nonprofit accounting standards and tax regulations and implement necessary updates to policies and procedures.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, or a related field required. 5+ years of progressive accounting experience. Demonstrated experience managing audits, preparing Form 990s, and working with restricted fund accounting. Knowledge of GAAP as applied to nonprofit organizations, including ASC 958 net asset classification and revenue recognition standards. Proficiency with accounting software required; experience with Financial Edge NXT preferred. Advanced Microsoft Excel skills; experience with financial reporting tools and data visualization platforms a plus. Familiarity CRM/development platforms preferred, experience with Tessitura a plus.

Special Characteristics

Exceptional attention to detail and commitment to accuracy in all financial work. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify issues and implement effective solutions. Clear and confident communicator, able to translate financial information for non-financial audiences including board members, funders, and program staff. Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet critical deadlines in a fast-paced environment. Collaborative, service-oriented approach; builds trust and effective working relationships across the organization. Integrity, discretion, and sound judgment in handling sensitive financial information. Genuine interest in and commitment to the mission of the arts.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those we consider important for an employee to successfully perform essential functions of this job: extended periods of sitting and performing tasks such as typing and using a computer mouse, with strong visual and auditory focus, occasional lifting (not exceeding 20 pounds), reaching for items, effective communication skills, and fine motor abilities, being mobile within the office for activities like attending performances, events, and meetings. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Equal Opportunity

Houston Grand Opera is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at HGO are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws or regulations. HGO will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics. HGO encourages applicants of all ages.