Controller

Reports to: Director of Finance                                                Schedule: Full-Time, Exempt

The Controller oversees the financial operations of a dynamic $8M non-profit museum with 90 employees across two locations: the historic Jones Center on Congress Avenue in downtown Austin, and Laguna Gloria, a unique, fourteen-acre art-in-nature site that includes the landmark Driscoll Villa, the Betty and Edward Marcus Sculpture Park, the Art School at Laguna Gloria, and the Moody Pavilions. This role is critical in ensuring accurate financial reporting, regulatory compliance, and efficient use of resources to support the museum's mission. The ideal candidate will have extensive non-profit accounting experience and advanced proficiency with QuickBooks Online.

Responsibilities:

• Financial Management & Reporting:
  • Prepare and manage financial reports, including monthly, quarterly, and annual statements, in accordance with GAAP.
  • Oversee cash flow, ensuring stability across both museum locations.
  • Develop custom reports in QuickBooks Online to meet internal and external stakeholder needs.
• Budgeting & Forecasting:
  • Collaborate with department heads to create and monitor the museum’s annual budget.
  • Provide detailed financial analysis and forecasts to guide strategic decision-making.
  • Monitor variances and recommend corrective actions to stay within financial goals.
• Compliance & Audit:
  • Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local tax regulations, including annual Form 990 filings.
  • Lead the preparation for the annual external audit, coordinating with auditors and providing necessary documentation.
  • Oversee compliance with grant and donor-restricted fund requirements.
• Accounting Operations:
  • Manage all aspects of day-to-day accounting, including accounts payable/receivable, payroll, and general ledger maintenance.
  • Implement and maintain strong internal controls to safeguard the museum’s financial assets.
  • Reconcile bank, investment, and other financial accounts monthly.
• Grant & Fund Management:
  • Partner with the development team to track restricted and unrestricted funds.
  • Ensure accurate and timely financial reporting for grants and other funding sources.
• System Management:
  • Optimize the use of QuickBooks Online for advanced reporting and efficient financial management.
  • Identify and implement technological solutions to streamline accounting operations.
• Team Leadership:

  • Supervise and mentor the accounting team, fostering professional growth and collaboration.

  • Serve as a financial resource for leadership and staff across departments.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field;
• CPA or CMA preferred.
• Minimum of 7 years of accounting experience, with at least 3 years in non-profit accounting.
• Advanced expertise in QuickBooks Online, including custom report generation and system optimization.
• Familiarity with grant compliance and fund accounting principles.
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking capabilities.
• Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to explain complex financial concepts to non-financial staff.

How to Apply: 

Submit cover letter and resume at this link. Thank you for your interest in The Contemporary Austin and please keep an eye on our careers page for current opportunities.

Our Mission
We invite you to discover contemporary art in settings that provoke thought and joy. Our programs join art with place in a pursuit of a deeper experience, a bigger conversation, and a closer community.

Our Vision
We believe in the capacity of art to transform lives. We dream of a future where more eyes, ears, hearts and minds are opened by contemporary art in all of its forms.

Our Values

Extending the Welcome – We want every person to feel like they belong here. Our invitation is completely open and inclusive.

Always Caring - We know that details matter. We care deeply about the quality of our work and about the experiences of our guests, the artists we collaborate with, our staff, and all those we have yet to meet.

Socially Mindful - We believe that contemporary art is a way for people to connect their personal experiences with the broader social and cultural dialogues of our place and time.

Staying Curious - We observe closely, listen intently, and inquire sincerely because we have a boundless fascination with people, art and ideas.

Making Progress - We always want to be better—to inspire more deeply, to engage more openly, and to serve more joyfully. We are mindful of feedback and committed to ongoing reflection and iteration.

Being Here - A place can transform your experience of art, and art can transform your experience of a place. We activate our downtown exhibition space and our lakeside sculpture park in imaginative ways to serve Austin.

Trying New Things - We believe in the importance of experimentation, play, and the surprise that often results from trying something new. We know that progress comes through both bravery and vulnerability.

About The Contemporary Austin 

As Austin’s only museum focused on contemporary artists and their work, The Contemporary Austin offers exhibitions, educational opportunities, and events that start conversations and fuel the city’s creative spirit. Known for artist-centric projects and collaborations, The Contemporary invites exploration at both its urban and natural settings—downtown at the Jones Center on Congress Avenue, lakeside at the Laguna Gloria campus (including the Betty and Edward Marcus Sculpture Park, the Art School, and the historic Driscoll Villa), and around Austin through the Museum Without Walls program. 

Our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and access (DEIA)

The Contemporary Austin values a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace and we seek to model these values in our hiring and engagement practices for all our artistic and educational programs. We welcome applications by BIPOC candidates as well as individuals who bring new perspectives in a host of ways. It is the policy of The Contemporary Austin not to discriminate against any person because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, age, disability, or veteran status and to take action to ensure that those seeking to do business with the Contemporary are treated fairly. The Contemporary Austin aims to create a safe, welcoming working environment and doesn’t tolerate discrimination of any kind.  The organization is currently pursuing a multi-year DEIA effort and seeks individuals who share our commitment to this work.