Controller

Overview

Under limited direction and reporting to the Sr. Director of Financial Operations, the Controller leads the Institute's accounting and procurement operations across all affiliated entities, supporting an organization of approximately 400 employees and a diversified portfolio of federal contracts, federal grants, and commercial preclinical research revenue.

The Controller owns the integrity of the general ledger, the monthly and annual close, the procurement function, and the accounting controls that support the Institute's federal award compliance, external audit, and tax filings. This is a hands-on leadership role in a regulated, deadline-driven research environment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities Accounting Operations and Close

• Own the monthly, quarterly, and annual close calendar, including review and approval of journal entries, account reconciliations, and supporting schedules.
• Oversee accounts payable, billing and accounts receivable, payroll accounting, general ledger, and fixed assets.
• Review the monthly ASC 606 revenue recognition schedule and supporting analysis for contract research agreements, including estimates of progress toward completion.
• Prepare and analyze monthly financial statements and variance analysis for review by the Sr. Director of Financial Operations and the Chief Financial Officer.
• Support consolidation and intercompany accounting across the Institute's affiliated entities.
• Maintain the accounting policy manual, the chart of accounts, and project structures within the Institute's ERP (Deltek Costpoint).

Procurement

• Oversee the Institute's procurement function, including requisition and purchase order processing, vendor onboarding and qualification, competitive solicitation, and vendor file documentation.
• Ensure purchasing practices comply with the federal procurement standards at 2 CFR 200.317 through 200.327, including competition requirements, documented cost or price analysis, and required affirmative steps for small, minority-owned, and women-owned business participation where applicable.
• Maintain suspension and debarment verification for covered transactions.
• Administer the Institute's purchasing card and preauthorization program in accordance with established policy.
• Support capital equipment acquisition, including coordination with Facilities and with award terms governing title and disposition of federally funded property.

Federal Award and Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure accounting practices comply with 2 CFR Part 200 (Uniform Guidance), applicable FAR and agency supplements, and Cost Accounting Standards as applicable to the Institute's awards.
• Support preparation and submission of the Institute's indirect cost rate proposal and monitor actual versus provisional rates throughout the year.
• Maintain records and internal controls sufficient to support cognizant agency audits and incurred cost submissions.
• Support compliant labor distribution and timekeeping practices, effort reporting, and allowability, allocability, and reasonableness determinations for costs charged to federal awards.

Audit and Tax

• Prepare all schedules and supporting documentation for the annual financial statement audit and the Uniform Guidance (Single) Audit, and serve as a primary day-to-day contact for the external auditors.
• Assist the external tax firm in preparing annual returns, including Forms 990 and support state and local filings including gross receipts tax, property tax, and unclaimed property.
• Track and support remediation of audit findings, management letter comments, and internal control deficiencies.

Treasury and Banking

• Serve as a point of contact for the Institute's banking relationships on operational matters, including account administration, positive pay, and cash application questions.
• Prepare cash forecasts and monitor liquidity, debt covenant compliance, and reporting obligations to lenders.
• Note: this position does not hold unilateral authority to initiate, approve, or release funds transfers. All disbursement authority follows the Institute's delegation of authority and dual-approval requirements.

Internal Control and Leadership

• Design, document, and monitor internal controls over financial reporting, including segregation of duties within the accounting and procurement functions.
• Because procurement, accounts payable, and the general ledger all report to this position, the Controller is responsible for maintaining compensating controls. These include system-enforced approval hierarchies, dual approval of purchase orders and disbursements above established thresholds, independent three-way match performed outside the requisitioning chain, and periodic independent review by the Vice President, Finance. The Controller does not approve transactions in which the Controller is the requester or beneficiary.
• Manage, mentor, and develop a team of 7 direct reports and their staff. Identify staffing needs, direct recruiting and selection for departmental positions, and partner with Human Resources on performance management, training, and development.
• Drive process improvement and system automation within the accounting and procurement functions.
• Communicate financial information effectively to scientific, operational, and administrative leadership who may not have a finance background.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

An applicant must meet all of the following to be considered:

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge, skills, and abilities have been attained.
• Seven or more years of progressively responsible accounting experience, including responsibility for a monthly and annual close cycle.
• Four or more years of direct supervisory experience managing professional accounting staff.
• Experience preparing or supporting an annual external financial statement audit.
• Experience with a project-based or government contractor ERP general ledger system.
• Must be able to work onsite in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
• Requires previous experience effectively leading a large team in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
• Must be able to obtain and maintain the access credentials required to perform work at the Institute's facilities, including any access required for Kirtland Air Force Base, in accordance with applicable Department of Defense requirements.

 

This position requires a post-offer credit check.

Preferred/Additional Qualifications

• Active CPA license. CPA is highly desired and will be weighted heavily in candidate evaluation.
• Experience with federal contract or grant accounting, including Uniform Guidance, indirect cost rate proposals, and Single Audit.
• Hands-on experience with Deltek Costpoint, including project setup, labor distribution, and the project and accounting reporting modules. Costpoint experience is a significant advantage.
• Experience overseeing a purchasing or procurement function, including federally funded procurement.
• Experience in a nonprofit, biomedical, life sciences, or contract research organization.
• Experience with multi-entity consolidation and intercompany accounting.
• Experience with ASC 606 revenue recognition in a services or contract research environment.
• Master's degree in accounting, business, or a related field.

Competencies

• High degree of professionalism, diplomacy, and discretion, with proven ability to handle confidential information.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present financial information to non-financial audiences.
• Sound judgment, analytical rigor, and a practical approach to problem solving.
• Ability to manage multiple complex priorities and competing deadlines with limited supervision.

Physical Requirements

Work is performed in an office environment. Will operate standard office equipment and will frequently stand, walk, sit, perform desk-based computer tasks, use a telephone, perform repetitive motions and occasionally lift objects that weigh up to 10 pounds. The above is intended to describe the general requirements for the position and should not be interpreted as an exhaustive statement of physical requirements. The Institute will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires an accommodation to perform the essential functions of the position.

Salary

Salary is commensurate with experience.