Position SummaryThe Assistant Controller, Cost and Capital Accounting leads the accounting for how AmaWaterways spends: ship operating costs, vendor and payables activity, and capital investment in the fleet and the business. This role ensures costs are recorded accurately and promptly, capital spend is properly evaluated and tracked, and cost data is available to support planning and decision making. This role operates with imperfect information and helps the team quickly identify and implement the changes needed to produce quality, decision-useful cost and capital data.
Key Responsibilities- Lead cost accounting, including operating cost accruals, prepaid and accrued liabilities and cost allocation across ships, sailings and departments
- Own capital accounting, including capital project tracking, capitalization decisions, fixed asset additions and depreciation for ship refurbishments and other investments
- Oversee accounts payable end to end, including approvals, vendor management, payment controls and the offshore processing team
- Own invoice routing and controls, including the related policies and procedures
- Lead accounting for leases and charter arrangements under both US GAAP and IFRS and review related contracts
- Review and approve account reconciliations and cost-related journal entries during the monthly close
- Partner with FP&A and Operations Finance on budget-to-actual cost analysis and variance explanations
- Supervise and develop the cost accounting team, including the Accounting Manager, Costs and the payables supervisor
- Design, implement and maintain internal controls over cost, payables, fixed asset and capital project processes
- Strengthen controls and drive automation of invoice processing and other manual cost accounting tasks
- Support audit, tax and treasury requests related to costs, fixed assets and capital projects
- Provide monthly cost reporting and insight to the Controller
- Champion AI enablement in cost and capital accounting, identifying AI-enabled tools that speed invoice processing, accruals and reconciliations
- Identify and help implement the changes needed to deliver quality, decision-useful cost and capital data
Qualifications & Experience- Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance; CPA required
- 8+ years of progressive accounting experience, including 3+ years supervising teams
- Strong experience in cost accounting, fixed assets and capital project accounting
- US GAAP and IFRS experience required, as AmaWaterways reports under both
- Experience designing and implementing internal controls
- Experience with lease accounting under both US GAAP (ASC 842) and IFRS (IFRS 16) required
- Experience overseeing accounts payable and offshore or outsourced teams
- Hands-on NetSuite experience required; advanced Excel
- Strong analytical and communication skills
- Public accounting experience preferred
- Experience in travel, hospitality, shipping or consumer-facing industries is a plus
- Interest in and practical experience with AI enablement, with the ability to apply AI-enabled tools and processes to improve how finance work gets done
- Comfortable operating with imperfect information and exercising sound judgment to keep moving while data quality improves
- High-energy, self-driven and collaborative, with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, growing company with private equity-style expectations for pace, accountability and results
Core Competencies for SuccessBusiness AcumenUnderstands the broader business impact of decisions; considers financial, market, and operational implications; aligns work with strategic priorities.
Analytical ThinkingSynthesizes complex information; leverages data, experience, and sound judgment to design practical and effective solutions.
Strategic ThinkingAnticipates trends and opportunities; adapts strategies as conditions change; balances near-term execution with long-term growth.
Collaboration & TeamworkPartners effectively across teams and functions; values diverse viewpoints; builds trust; advances shared goals and collective success.
Leadership & InfluenceInspires and motivates others; communicates a clear direction; provides meaningful feedback; leads with confidence, empathy, and accountability.
Quality & AccountabilityDelivers accurate, thoughtful work; applies feedback to improve outcomes; maintains high standards while balancing efficiency.
