The Controller will be responsible for managing all finance, accounting, and reporting activities. As the number-two finance person to the CFO, the Controller will be involved in supporting presentations to the Board’s finance and audit committees and will work closely with the ICA’s departmental managers and senior leadership team. The Controller will oversee all day-to-day finance operations of the $20 million annual operating budget and assist with the supervision of the finance team of two staff members that includes the functional responsibility for accounting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, budgeting, treasury, and grants administration for activities encompassing three mission driven sites. The Controller will ensure that the ICA has systems and procedures in place to support effective financial reporting, program implementation and successful audits. The Controller will work closely with departmental managers and their staff to educate them regarding budgeting and accounting procedures as well as explore how the finance function can better support their program operations. This is a full-time, salaried position.

The Controller contributes to a culture of collaboration, community, and respect while embodying the principles of ICA’s Quality of Service and centers the work of Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, Inclusion, and Belonging in all areas of their work.

Please note:

  • All ICA employees are required to reside in Massachusetts and within commuting distance from our Seaport location as of their first day of work.
  • The ICA offers a hybrid work week, which averages three days a week onsite for employees eligible to work remotely (subject to change, and at managers’ discretion).

Responsibilities:

  • Oversee the ICA’s chart of accounts, ledgers, and reporting systems to ensure compliance with appropriate GAAP standards and regulatory requirements
  • Maintain internal controls and safeguards for the receipt of revenue and the expenditure of funds
  • Review reconciliations of bank statements, balance sheet, revenue, and expense accounts on a monthly basis
  • Process month end closing entries and prepare financial statements and financial dashboard reports on a monthly basis
  • Coordinate the annual audit and preparation of federal and state tax filings by outside firm
  • Assist in the completion of financial surveys
  • Collaborate with HR to ensure accurate recording of bi-weekly payroll GL entries and the filing of all required payroll reports
  • Collaborate with HR on administration and compliance of employee benefit plans
  • Assist the CFO with supervising Staff Accountant and Accounts Payable and Office Manager and provide them with daily direction
  • Oversee the processing of accounts payables and the maintenance of vendor payment files
  • Oversee the procurement of office supplies and the operation of the copy/mail room
  • Assist in the preparation of the ICA’s annual budget and compare the budget plan to actual results in order to identify, explain, and correct variances as appropriate
  • Prepare salary, fringe benefit and other cost projections
  • Review balance sheet to ensure all net asset balances are correct
  • Support the CFO in engaging the Director and the Board’s audit and finance committees around financial issues, trends, projections, and benchmarks
  • Oversee financial, project, program and grants accounting to ensure that expenditures are consistently aligned with grant and program budgets. Compile financial data for government, corporate, and foundation grant applications and reports
  • Manage organizational cash flow by maintaining accurate cash flow forecasts
  • Track the performance of invested assets in keeping with policies and investment guidelines
  • Ensure accurate accounting, reporting, tax, and documentation records for endowment investments
  • Analyze financial data and trends; Support CFO in managing ICA’s financial risk in the area of budgeting, endowment, and overall operations
  • Ensure the development and documentation of business processes and accounting policies to maintain and strengthen internal controls
  • Leverage the strengths of the finance team members by helping to clarify roles and responsibilities and developing and implementing training programs in order to maximize and reach optimal individual and organizational goals
  • Effectively communicate with staff at all levels throughout the organization

Qualifications:

  • Five to eight years of progressive accounting and finance experience, ideally beginning in accounting and audit, followed by experience in gathering, evaluating, presenting, and reporting financial information to senior management, Prior experience in a complex nonprofit organization, preferably with a cultural institution that has admissions, box office and retail operations preferred
  • Bachelor’s degree in Accounting required; CPA or on CPA track preferred
  • Significant experience in coordinating audit activities and managing reporting, budget development and analysis, accounts payable and receivable, general ledger, payroll, and accounting for investments
  • A track record in grants management as it relates to compliance and reporting of government, corporate, and foundation grants
  • Extensive knowledge of IRS rules regarding contributed revenue
  • Prior experience managing financial professionals
  • Technology savvy with experience in selecting and overseeing software installations, managing relationships with software vendors, and advanced knowledge of accounting and reporting software
  • Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and unwavering commitment to an organization’s mission
  • Commitment to recruiting, mentoring, training, and retaining a diverse team and the foresight and ability to delegate accordingly
  • Keen analytic, organization, and problem solving skills which allows for strategic data interpretation and presentation versus simple reporting of actuals
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills with experience in effectively communicating key financial data to senior management and board committees
  • Ability and desire to translate complex financial concepts to individuals at all levels including finance and non-finance managers
  • Other duties as assigned

Physical Requirements:

  • Possess mobility to work in an office setting and use office equipment; move about throughout the museum, occasional travel offsite to different ICA locations
  • Ability to see, listen, and talk for extended periods in person, over the telephone and computer, and understand printed materials
  • Prolonged periods of remaining stationary working on a computer, standing, and/or moving about the office and museum
  • Ability to lift up to 15 pounds, pushing and pulling, keyboarding and gripping
  • Must be able to exchange accurate information with staff, departments, and vendors

This is not necessarily an all-inclusive list of job-related responsibilities, duties, skills, efforts, requirements or working conditions. While the above is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed as assigned.

The ICA offers an excellent benefit package that includes health, dental and vision insurance, disability/life insurance, flexible spending accounts, 403(b) retirement plan, and paid time off.

Starting Compensation: $115,000.00 Annually;
Starting compensation is based on meeting minimum qualifications.

ICA Compensation:

Each ICA position has a job grade based on the position’s evaluated job responsibilities, required education and experience, needed skills to perform the job, and professional knowledge. The position’s grade and respective compensation range is determined by the position’s overall responsibilities, including decision making, supervisory/management requirements, resource management and budgeting duties.

Compensation is ultimately determined by the scope of the position and responsibilities, the candidate’s relevant experience, and internal equity, with starting salaries typically falling in the lower half of the compensation range.

Interested candidates should send a resume and letter of interest to jobs@icaboston.org. When applying, please include “Controller” in the subject line.


The ICA is located at 25 Harbor Shore Drive, Boston, and is accessible by public transportation (Red and Silver Line).

Other Locations:

Seaport Studio
100 Pier 4 Blvd, Second Floor
Boston, MA 02210

ICA Watershed
256 Marginal Street
Boston, MA 02128

The ICA is dedicated to building a culturally diverse and pluralistic workforce committed to working in a multicultural environment. Qualified candidates from groups historically underrepresented in the museum professions are strongly encouraged to apply.

The ICA is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to being a diverse and inclusive workplace. We are an EOE/AA employer dedicated to fair and inclusive employment practices for all individuals. The ICA is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, contact HR-EOE@icaboston.org or 617-478-3171.