Controller - Finance

The Controller serves as the Chief Financial Officer’s principal technical accounting partner, working collaboratively with Finance personnel and department leaders to ensure that financial information is accurate, timely, and optimal for informed decision-making.  This position also serves as the primary owner of Sage Intacct accounting software functionality; leading ongoing improvements in accounting processes, controls, documentation and financial systems.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Financial Closing and General Accounting Processes

• Maintain accountability for monthly, quarterly, and annual financial closing processes.
• Maintain a formal monthly closing calendar with clearly assigned responsibilities and deadlines. Ensure monthly financial statements are completed within established organizational timelines.
• Review journal entries, account reconciliations, accruals, and supporting schedules prepared by accounting staff.
• Assign general ledger, reconciliation, and close responsibilities among accounting personnel.
• Review significant or unusual transactions and determine appropriate accounting resolution.
• Ensure balance sheet accounts are reconciled accurately and timely. Review bank and cash reconciliations and ensure reconciling items are investigated and resolved.
• Maintain the integrity of the general ledger and chart of accounts. Ensure consistent application of generally accepted accounting principles and organizational accounting policies.
• Prepare or review financial statements and supporting schedules prior to submission to the CFO.
• Ensure appropriate accounting for revenue, receivables, prepaid expenses, fixed assets, accrued liabilities, deferred revenue, etc.

Accounting Team Leadership, Internal Controls and Policies

• Direct and supervise accounting personnel. Establish clear responsibilities, deadlines, performance expectations, and review procedures for accounting staff.
• Allocate responsibilities to support effective segregation of duties and appropriate levels of review. Maintain appropriate separation between transaction initiation, processing, reconciliation, and approval.
• Develop cross-training and backup procedures for critical accounting processes. Coach and develop accounting staff.
• Design, implement, document, and maintain effective accounting controls. Periodically evaluate segregation of duties and recommend changes when necessary.  Ensure accounting activities comply with established financial policies, authorization limits, and procedures.
• Monitor compliance with accounts payable, purchasing, expense reimbursement, cash handling, and accounts receivable requirements. Identify control weaknesses, accounting risks and process deficiencies. Recommend corrective action to the CFO.

Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable Oversight

• Provide management oversight of accounts payable, accounts receivable, vendor administration, billing, and collection activities.
• Review aging reports, significant past-due receivables, unusual vendor activity, and unresolved discrepancies.
• Ensure payments are properly authorized, supported, coded, and recorded in the correct accounting period.
• Ensure vendor records are properly maintained and protected through appropriate internal controls.
• Monitor electronic payment processes and related financial controls. Oversee annual Form 1099 preparation and other applicable transactional reporting.

Treasury, Cash, Audit and Complaince

• Monitor cash balances & short-term cash requirements. Ensure all bank & investment accounts are reconciled accurately and timely.
• Assist the CFO with cash forecasting, banking relationships, investments, and liquidity management. Maintain appropriate controls over bank accounts, electronic payments, and access to financial assets.
• Serve as lead of accounting preparation for the annual independent audit. Coordinate preparation of audit schedules and supporting workpapers.  Review accounting information provided to auditors for accuracy and completeness.  Coordinate timely resolution of audit questions and findings.
• Assist the CFO with tax, regulatory, governmental, and other external financial reporting as required. Maintain financial records in accordance with organizational record-retention requirements.

QUALIFICATIONS & TECHNICAL SKILLS

• Strong knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles, accrual accounting, account reconciliations, financial statement preparation, and internal controls.
• Demonstrated ability to manage monthly and year-end close processes.
• Strong spreadsheet and financial-system capabilities.
• Experience with cloud-based accounting systems.
• Sage Intacct software experience strongly preferred. com or similar electronic AP platform experience preferred.
• Ability to understand, document, and improve accounting workflows.
• Excellent presentation and communication skills are required.

Explore St. Louis offers a robust compensation and benefit package including medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance as well as pension, paid holidays and PTO.  Apply on our Explore St. Louis Careers URL or email a resume and cover letter to jobs@explorestlouis.com.  Please include your cover letter and resume when applying online. NO PHONE CALLS! EOE.

Explore St. Louis is the sales and marketing organization responsible for selling and promoting St. Louis as a convention, meeting site, and leisure travel destination. Explore St. Louis manages and operates the America’s Center Complex which includes the Cervantes Convention Center, the Dome at America’s Center, the Ferrara Theatre, and the St. Louis Executive Conference Center.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Statement: Explore St. Louis values diversity and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, past or present military service, marital status, gender identification or expression, medical condition or any other protected characteristic as established by law.