Controller

Cleveland Play House, founded in 1915 and recipient of the 2015 Regional Theatre Tony Award, is America's first professional regional theatre. Throughout its rich history, CPH has remained dedicated to its mission to inspire, stimulate and entertain diverse audiences in Northeast Ohio by producing plays and theatre education programs of the highest professional standards. CPH has produced more than 100 world and/or American premieres, and over its long history more than 12 million people have attended over 1,600 productions. Today, Cleveland Play House celebrates its second century of service while performing in three state-of-the-art venues at Playhouse Square, one of the world's premier arts districts, located in downtown Cleveland.

Cleveland Play House is seeking an experienced, hands-on financial and accounting professional to lead the organization's day-to-day finance operations. Reporting to the CEO/Managing Director and working as a member of CPH's leadership team, the Controller is responsible for ensuring that the organization's financial systems, processes, reporting, and controls are accurate, timely, reliable, and well documented.

The ideal candidate combines strong nonprofit accounting expertise with a practical, solutions-oriented approach to financial management. This position is well suited to a finance professional who takes pride in creating reliable systems, meeting deadlines, solving problems, communicating clearly with colleagues, and ensuring that financial information is accessible and useful to both financial and non-financial stakeholders.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Controller will lead the day-to-day financial and accounting operations of Cleveland Play House and create a collaborative and positive working environment within Finance and across the organization. The Director is responsible for maintaining accurate financial records; ensuring timely monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting; managing cash-flow forecasting; administering the organizational budget; overseeing grant and restricted-fund accounting; coordinating the annual audit; and supervising the Finance team.

The Director will establish and maintain reliable financial systems, processes, calendars, and written procedures that support organizational accountability and strong internal controls. The successful candidate will proactively identify financial and operational issues, communicate them clearly, and work collaboratively with colleagues to bring issues through resolution.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

· Responsible for the integrity and day-to-day operation of the organization's accounting and financial systems, including all accounts, ledgers, and financial records, ensuring compliance with GAAP and applicable regulatory requirements.

· Manages the monthly, quarterly, and year-end financial closing process, including trial balance preparation, adjusting journal entries, account reconciliations, and preparation of the statement of financial position, statement of activities, and statement of cash flows.

· Establishes and maintains a consistent monthly close and reporting calendar and ensures financial reporting and reconciliations are completed accurately and on schedule.

· Produces timely monthly financial statements and budget-to-actual reports; investigates material variances; communicates findings clearly to budget managers and Leadership; and works collaboratively with departments to address discrepancies and necessary corrective actions.

· Develops, implements, documents, and maintains sound financial processes, systems, policies, and internal controls to support centralized accounting operations and safeguard organizational assets.

· Maintains written finance procedures and documentation to ensure continuity, transparency, and consistency in financial operations.

· Coordinates the annual organizational budgeting process in consultation with Leadership, including development of department budgets, consolidation of the organizational budget, budget reforecasting and reallocations, and ongoing budget-to-actual monitoring.

· Leads regular budget meetings with department leaders and provides them with the financial information and support necessary to effectively manage their budgets.

· Develops and maintains an accurate rolling organizational cash-flow forecast in partnership with the CEO/Managing Director and Leadership Team; monitors near-term cash requirements and communicates changes in the organization's cash position promptly.

· Works closely with the CPH Board Finance, Investment, and Audit Committees and prepares accurate and timely materials for Board and committee review.

· Serves as primary liaison to external auditors and coordinates preparation for and completion of the annual financial statement audit.

· Coordinates preparation of Form 990 and other required tax and regulatory filings in partnership with external providers as appropriate.

· Ensures proper accounting, reconciliation, and reporting for investments, endowment funds, restricted contributions, and other designated funds.

· Prepares financial reporting for government, corporate, and foundation grants; maintains appropriate grant accounting and documentation; coordinates grant fund drawdowns with Education and Development; and monitors expenditures throughout the grant period to ensure accurate and timely reporting.

· Oversees accounts payable and accounts receivable and ensures transactions are processed accurately and timely.

· Oversees bank and balance-sheet reconciliations and ensures outstanding items are investigated and resolved promptly.

· Maintains ownership of the organization's accounting system and chart of accounts and ensures that financial data and supporting documentation are complete, organized, accessible, and reliable.

· Supervises and develops Finance staff, establishes clear responsibilities and deadlines, and ensures appropriate review and accountability for work performed by the department.

· Builds effective working relationships across CPH and communicates financial information clearly to colleagues with varying levels of financial expertise.

· Identifies inefficient, incomplete, or ineffective financial processes and develops practical solutions, procedures, and systems to address them.

· Works collaboratively with external financial advisors and consultants on specialized financial analysis and projects, providing accurate underlying financial information and implementing agreed-upon processes and recommendations as appropriate.

· Other duties and ad hoc financial analysis as assigned and required.

DESIRED CANDIDATE PROFILE:

The Controller will be a hands-on financial professional who combines strong technical accounting knowledge with excellent organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.

The successful candidate will have demonstrated experience managing the core financial operations of a nonprofit organization, including monthly close, financial reporting, budgeting, cash-flow forecasting, audit preparation, grant accounting, restricted funds, reconciliations, and internal controls.

CPH is particularly interested in candidates who have demonstrated the ability to improve financial operations: establishing clear processes, creating useful documentation, identifying and resolving problems, meeting deadlines consistently, and helping colleagues understand and use financial information effectively.

The Director should be comfortable moving between oversight and hands-on work and willing to engage directly with financial data and accounting systems when necessary. The successful candidate will bring a collaborative approach to the work while demonstrating strong ownership and accountability for the accuracy, timeliness, and reliability of CPH's financial operations. 

Benefits package includes group health insurance to which CPH contributes a portion of the employee's premium, group dental and vision plans. Paid vacation, company and discretionary holidays, as well as the opportunity to participate in a 401(k) plan.

Employment in this position is contingent upon successful completion of a criminal background check.

Cleveland Play House is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

TO APPLY: Interested applicants should upload a cover letter and resume as one combined document. Apply via www.clevelandplayhouse.com/jobs. For more information on Cleveland Play House, visit www.clevelandplayhouse.com 

· 5+ years of progressively responsible accounting and finance experience.

· Significant nonprofit accounting experience, including knowledge of nonprofit GAAP and fund accounting.

· Demonstrated experience managing monthly and year-end close processes, account reconciliations, and preparation of financial statements.

· Experience with grant accounting and restricted funds; experience with government and/or federal grants strongly preferred.

· Demonstrated experience developing and maintaining organizational budgets and cash-flow forecasts.

· Experience coordinating annual audits and working with external auditors.

· Demonstrated ability to develop and implement financial processes, procedures, internal controls, and documentation.

· Strong problem-solving skills and demonstrated ability to identify issues and bring them through resolution.

· Experience managing and developing accounting or finance staff.

· Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities.

· Ability to clearly explain financial reports, budgets, variances, and financial issues to non-financial staff and Board members.

· Advanced proficiency in Excel and strong proficiency with accounting systems; QuickBooks Online experience strongly preferred.

· Combination of education and relevant professional experience.

· CPA, MBA, or other relevant advanced credential is a plus but not required.