CONTROLLER

POSITION DESCRIPTION

POSITION TITLE:    Controller

DEPARTMENT:    Finance

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS: REPORTS TO:    Chief Operating Officer

DIRECT REPORTS INCLUDE:    Accounting and Revenue Manager

WORK SCHEDULE:    40 hours/week on-site, 9am-5pm, Monday - Friday

STATUS:                Full Time Salaried Exempt

COMPENSATION:    $110,000 - $130,000 

BENEFIT STATUS:    Eligible

DEPARTMENT:    Finance

ABOUT THE COMPANY

The Ebell of Los Angeles is a women-led nonprofit that has served the Greater Los Angeles community for over a century. Our mission is to inspire women and build community through arts, culture, education, service, and stewardship of our historic campus and collections. Housed in a historic campus in the heart of LA, The Ebell presents public programs, arts and cultural events, community engagement initiatives, and educational offerings, while also operating as a venue for rentals, weddings, and member-driven activities. The breadth of The Ebell’s mission-driven work, combined with its rental income streams, requires cohesive branding and strategic communication across all areas.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Controller is a senior finance leader responsible for both the integrity of The Ebell of Los Angeles’ financial operations and the strategic development of financial systems that support organizational growth. This role ensures strong internal controls, audit readiness, and compliance, while also serving as a key partner in financial planning, decision-making, and long-term sustainability.

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the Controller oversees all accounting functions, leads the annual audit, and plays a central role in budget development, financial analysis, and systems optimization. The Controller brings a forward-looking, solutions-oriented approach to building infrastructure that supports a complex, multi-entity nonprofit organization.

This exempt position requires full-time on-site presence at our facility in the Mid-Wilshire area of Los Angeles. The Controller is a key member of the organization’s financial leadership and partners closely with the COO, CEO, and Board Finance Committee to support The Ebell’s financial health and long-term sustainability.

Key Responsibilities:

Financial Leadership & Strategy

•    Partner with the COO and senior leadership to support financial strategy, long-range planning, and organizational decision-making 

•    Provide clear, actionable financial analysis, including trends, forecasts, and scenario modeling 

•    Translate financial data into insights for department leaders, the CEO, and Board committees 

•    Support capital planning, major initiatives, and organizational growth through financial modeling and risk assessment 

•    Lead ethical, accurate reporting and organizational financial transparency, including reporting on contributed income such as grants 

Financial Controls & Risk Management

•    Design, implement, and continuously strengthen internal controls to ensure accuracy, transparency, and safeguarding of assets 

•    Establish and maintain accounting policies and procedures across departments 

•    Proactively identify financial and operational risks and recommend mitigation strategies 

•    Ensure appropriate segregation of duties, approval workflows, and documentation standards

Audit & Compliance Oversight

•    Lead the annual audit process and serve as primary liaison with external auditors 

•    Oversee preparation of financial statements, audit schedules, and supporting documentation 

•    Ensure compliance with GAAP, IRS regulations, and nonprofit reporting requirements, including Form 990 

•    Support and own strategy for organizational transition to a 501(c)(3) public charity/public support test tracking

•    Maintain audit readiness year-round through strong documentation and reconciliations 

Accounting Operations

•    Oversee general ledger, accounts payable/receivable, payroll accounting, and cash management 

•    Ensure timely and accurate month-end and year-end close processes 

•    Supervise accounting staff 

•    Ensure proper revenue recognition across contributed and earned revenue streams, including restricted funds and pledges 

•    Maintain a clean, scalable chart of accounts aligned with organizational reporting needs 

Budgeting, Forecasting & Performance Management

•    Partner with the COO and department leaders to develop and manage the annual budget 

•    Monitor financial performance against budget, including variance analysis and reforecasting 

•    Support department heads in understanding and managing their budgets 

•    Align accounting practices with internal budget tracking and reporting expectations 

•    Provide regular support to department leaders and budget managers, cultivating an environment of financial empowerment, accountability, and transparency 

Systems & Data Strategy (Sage Intacct)

•    Serve as the organizational lead for Sage Intacct, ensuring strong system configuration, controls, and reporting functionality 

•    Maintain and refine dimensional accounting structures to support programmatic, departmental, and funding analysis 

•    Identify opportunities for automation, integration, and improved financial workflows 

•    Partner cross-functionally to strengthen data integrity and reporting across systems

Qualifications: 

•    Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field (CPA strongly preferred) 

•    8–12+ years of progressive accounting and financial management experience, including senior nonprofit experience 

•    Demonstrated leadership in internal controls, audit management, and financial compliance 

•    Experience supporting budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis at an organizational level 

•    Advanced experience with Sage Intacct preferred

•    Strong knowledge of nonprofit accounting, including fund accounting, restricted revenue, and pledge recognition 

•    Experience working with senior leadership and Board Finance Committees

Core Competencies:

•    Strategic thinker with strong analytical and financial modeling skills 

•    Deep expertise in building and maintaining effective financial systems and controls 

•    Clear communicator who can translate complex financial information into actionable insights 

•    High level of integrity and sound judgment in managing financial risk 

•    Capable people manager with experience within a small team of generalists

•    Hands-on leader comfortable operating in a dynamic, evolving organization

The Ebell of Los Angeles provides a dynamic working environment in which duties and responsibilities may change. Employees are expected to be flexible and responsive to changes in the scope of their duties. All employees are required to pass a background check.

Compensation: 

This position has a salary range of $110,000 - $130,000, dependent upon experience. 

Benefits:

The Ebell offers a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plan options, paid vacation, sick, and holidays plus health benefits including medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance, and employee assistance program.

The Ebell is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, color, ancestry, disability, age, national origin, pregnancy, veteran/military status, genetic information or any other basis prohibited by law. We support, promote and embrace a diverse workforce.