Controller

Summary

American Coatings Association (ACA) seeks a qualified candidate to assist in in performing Controller-level activities within its Finance and Accounting Department. This position is located in Washington, DC and will report to the Senior Vice President and CFO.

About ACA

ACA is a voluntary, nonprofit organization working to advance the needs of the paint and coatings industry and the professionals who work in it. Through advocacy of the industry and its positions on legislative, regulatory, and judicial issues at the federal, state and local levels, it acts as an effective ally ensuring that the industry is represented and fairly considered. The association focuses on advancements in science and technology through its technical conferences and journals, and offers essential business information to members through its publications, surveys, and business programs.

In addition to the parent organization, American Coatings Association, this position will also provide Controller duties for ACA’s subsidiaries: PaintCare (PC), World Coatings Council (WCC), AC Media and PaintPAC. For an overview of our organization, please visit our website at www.paint.org.

Areas of Responsibility

Controllership/Accounting

• In collaboration with the Senior Vice President and CFO, oversee the development of procedures, reports, and documentation for accounting functions. Identify, recommend, and implement process improvements that increase the overall efficiency of the Finance & Accounting team.
• Maintain consistent accounting policies, practices and procedures, upholding appropriate GAAP standards and regulatory requirements across entire organization.
• Remain knowledgeable about existing and new accounting rules and standards.

• Oversee the routine accounting activities and month-end closing process in collaboration with the Accounting Team.
• Review general ledger detail on a monthly basis, including journal entries, for errors to ensure data accuracy and quality.
• Review and approve monthly reconciliations prepared by the Accounting Team.
• Review month payroll journal entries prepared by Finance and Accounting Manager.
• Prepare monthly financial statement packages for ACA and its subsidiaries.
• Ensure account activity and reported results are reasonable and within expectations and provide significant/material variance explanations; Investigate and resolve accounting discrepancies as needed.
• Review the monthly shared services fee allocated to affiliated subsidiaries.
• Review and analyze intercompany activity flowing between subsidiaries.
• Prepare monthly cash flow projection for review by the Senior Vice President and CFO.

Financial Reporting & Analysis

• Develop and prepare monthly financial statement package, and financial metrics for ACA parent and its subsidiaries. Develop and maintain reports in the financial ERP system and forecast and budgeting system.
• Review and analyze actual financial results, comparing to past comparable periods. Work with the Accounting Managers to provide explanations for any identified variances.
• Prepare financial projections for ACA and PaintCare.
• Prepare special ad hoc projects, as requested by theSenior Vice President and CFO, to assist in the evaluation of proposed strategic initiatives and special projects.

Annual Budget Preparation

• Assist the Senior Vice President and CFO with the development, deployment, and administration of the annual financial plan for the parent association and subsidiaries.
• Assist with the development of forecasts/budgets in ACA’s Planful Forecasting & Budgeting Tool system including developing templates, policies, timelines, and other resources to support the effective administration and conclusion of the annual budgeting process.
• Provide a contextual financial analysis to Senior Management team to assist in the development of their budgets.

Financial Audit

• Plan and organize the organization’s annual audit in collaboration with the Senior Vice President and CFO and external auditing firm.
• Develop a timeline and coordinate the collection of required reports, records, and other documentation.
• Maintain a sound working relationship with the external auditors. Provide regular communications with auditors regarding the status of open items and expedite the collection of information when appropriate.
• Review all drafts provided by auditors for accuracy and completeness

Tax & Compliance

• Respond to information requests from the external CPA firm for financial and other information needed for the preparation of federal and state tax returns.
• Recommend, implement, and maintain effective business controls in collaboration with the Senior Vice President and CFO.
• Maintain and adhere to the organization’s record retention policy in collaboration with the Senior Vice President and CFO and ACA’s Legal Department.
• Educate the Finance & Accounting team on controls and ensure financial materials are retained in accordance with company policy.

Accounting and Information Systems

• Serve as Co-Administrator of the online accounts payable system, online banking platforms, and expense reporting system.
• Ensure that financial obligations are paid on a timely basis.
• Perform the cash management function using the banking institution’s online treasury tool.
• Serve as Administrator of the credit card merchant accounts for the various entities.
• Assess reporting needs for the organization and management; work closely with Information Systems department to design, build, and maintain customized reports in ACA’s AMS system.
• Develop and maintain strong understanding of organizational business processes and how the related financial transactional data flows from AMS to financial ERP system.
• Ensure the integrity of all systems contributing to the financial records of all the entities.

Leadership

• Serve as a mentor and coach for Finance & Accounting staff in their assigned areas of expertise.
• Perform functions typically associated with managing and leading others, including performance management, recruitment, and selection.
• In collaboration with Senior Vice President and CFO, develop long-term strategic plan and development for Finance & Accounting department.
• Develops positive working relations within Finance & Accounting and other departments.

Preferred Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance or relevant business degree; CPA license required.
• Seven to ten years of related accounting experience with three or more years management experience.
• Experience with 501(c)(6) and 501(c)(3) organizations and related accounting and reporting requirements is preferable but not required.
• Demonstrated experience and comprehensive knowledge with automated accounting systems, preferably NetSuite and/or Planful Forecast & Budgeting Tool.
• Demonstrated experience with online accounts payable systems, preferably Bill.com or similar.
• Demonstrated experience with a corporate credit card online expense reporting tool, preferably Ramp.
• Knowledge of association management software, preferably Salesforce, and integration workflows between Salesforce and NetSuite.
• Advanced Microsoft Office skills (Word, Excel and PowerPoint) with the ability to create and use complex formulas and pivot tables in Excel.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to interact and communicate with all organizational levels.

Location

This position is located at ACA headquarters in Washington, DC and will operate within a hybrid work environment (working both onsite and remotely).

Employment, Salary and Benefits

This is a full time, regular position. Salary range: $160K-$175K annually, dependent on experience; ACA provides generous benefits including 401(k) match, PTO, medical, dental, and life insurance, commuter benefits & wellness reimbursement, and professional development/training opportunities.

Contact Information

To apply for this position please visit https://american-coatings-association.breezy.hr/. Please submit your resume, a thoughtful cover letter, and salary requirements through the online position listing.