Travel Requirements: Annual Employee-Owned Las Vegas Conference (November), Professionals Forum (February), certain large regional events, some Board of Directors or other leadership meetings as required.
Overall Description of Position:
The Controller will lead the day-to-day financial, budgeting and reporting operations, including functional responsibility over accounting, accounts payable and accounts receivable for the ESOP Association (“TEA”) and its affiliated 501(c)3, The Employee Ownership Foundation (“EOF”). The Controller will provide oversight of all finance, accounting and reporting activities and ensure TEA and EOF have systems and procedures in place to support effective program implementation and conduct flawless audits.
The Controller will work with department managers and their staff, to educate regarding finance and accounting procedures and explore how finance and accounting functions can best support program operations.
TEA is the oldest and largest national trade association representing companies with Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) and the professionals who provide services to them. An ESOP is a mechanism created under ERISA that allows the employees of a company to purchase and own the company where they work through a retirement plan in which they share ownership. Nearly 11 million American workers own part or all of the company where they work through an ESOP. That represents more American workers than the entire U.S. auto industry. There are nearly 7,000 ESOPs in America spanning every sector of the economy. However, some of the most recognizable ESOP companies include: Bob’s Red Mill, Publix Grocery Stores, WaWa, Taylor Guitars, Gore-Tex, Trex Bicycles, Cliff Bars, and many more.
The ESOP Association is the only organization that advocates on behalf of all ESOP (Employee Owned) companies. Dedicated to education and expansion of Employee Ownership as well, The ESOP Association attracts more than 10,000 people annually to its 18 chapters & five national meetings — including the Employee-Owned Conference in Las Vegas, which is the largest ESOP event in the world.
TEA is a dynamic and forward leaning organization that has been experiencing a significant refresh and dramatic increase in interest and activity. In 2020 we opened new offices at the International Employee Ownership Center in Washington, DC that includes our own in-house digital production studio and post-production edit suite. Our high caliber staff includes former national political party leaders, Congressional Chief’s of Staff, Senior White House Officials, and recognized event and communications specialists. We are looking for other dynamic and forward leaning professionals ready to roll up their sleeves and bring their talents to our impactful mission driven organization.
Responsibilities:
Financial Management
Planning: Assist COO in developing financial forecasts to ensure TEA’s near-term stability and assess future growth potential.
Budgeting: Assist with annual budget development process in collaboration with COO and Senior Managers. Manage budget revisions during fiscal year.
Reporting: Prepare monthly financial reports for Executive Team, and quarterly financial reports and forecasts to be presented by CEO to the Board, and daily cashflows to be provided to CEO and COO. Prepare quarterly departmental reports for senior managers and assist managers in their review and interpretation.
Accounting
Compliance: Monitor and update Accounting Policies and Procedures to ensure high-quality internal controls and compliance with GAAP standards. Prepare and issue annual 1099s, monthly use tax returns, annual unclaimed property, annual personal property tax return, bi-annual reporting, and quarterly estimated 990T payments per Auditor’s direction.
Systems: Provide ongoing maintenance of accounting systems, overseeing all accounts, ledgers, and transactions. Process payables via checks and wires weekly, daily review of accounts receivables entries. Maintain Balance Sheet accounts by keeping supporting schedules and reconciling monthly. Maintain accounting software. Provide input for systems improvements. Coordinate payables.
Audit: Manage preparation for annual audit, including interactions with auditors, preparing audit schedules and draft financial statements. Ensure timely completion of audit drafts, final audited financial statements and 990.
Cash: Maintain cash flow projections to provide effective cash management and early warning for potential cash flow challenges. Manage cash balances, and staff credit cards. Maintain signature cards when board members change, completing paperwork when a LOC drawdown and/or an investment transfer is needed.
Human Resources
Systems: Provide ongoing maintenance of payroll system, review, and process employee expense reporting, overseeing all employees’ profiles and personal records. Prepare semi-monthly payroll, including management of payroll vendor, and remittance of semi-monthly 401K remittance. Maintain benefits per employee’s requests to include new hires, termination, changes when requested.
Compliance: Work closely with the 401K record-keeper to prepare the annual form 5500. Work with insurance vendor to complete the annual workers compensation compliance testing.
Planning: Work with the COO to review annual insurance renewals for Health, Dental, Vision and Life
Qualifications and desired skills:
Minimum five years of accounting and financial reporting experience. Experience in accounting for nonprofit sector or small business is preferred. Additional formal training in accounting, financial management or business administration is a plus.
Experience with automated accounts receivable, member management database system and credit card processing.
Excellent understanding of accounting systems, including strong proficiency in Excel and Dynamics 365.
Desire to be part of a small pro-active team that highly values collaboration.
Attributes of the Controller
Project manager. You can juggle multiple tasks, allocate & optimize resources, & manage timelines. You enjoy creating & implementing processes & procedures that uphold rigorous standards. You manage a task from start to finish.
Collaborative. You work well with colleagues & members, understanding their concerns & realistically managing their expectations – you build trust & rapport across all levels of the organization. You give respect; you earn yours. You are grounded in our organizational values of sharing information & working cooperatively.
Ownership. You succeed in a team environment, work well independently, & carry your weight, learning from others & contributing in equal measure.
Exceptional communicator. You are known for your poise, tact, & diplomacy. You are comfortable in a professional but fun work environment & can confidently engage at all levels & across multiple stakeholder groups. You collaborate on projects & communicate results, & you are willing to listen & learn from others.
Cool under pressure. You do your best work when the pressure is highest. You grow more controlled & confident in your abilities to solve problems the more problems arise.
Service drive. You set the standard for meeting & exceeding expectations. You are responsive & committed. You are clear, tactful, & diplomatic about what’s realistic & what’s possible.
Strong initiative & judgment. You have good judgment & a thoughtful approach. You are sensitive to the challenges, goals, & varying needs of all stakeholders.
The ESOP Association is the only organization that advocates on behalf of all ESOP companies. Dedicated to education, The ESOP Association attracts more than 10,000 people annually to its 18 chapters and five national meetings—including the Las Vegas Conference & Trade Show, which is the largest ESOP event in the world.
