Controller

Oregon Public Broadcast

$121K — $150K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
  • 8+ years of progressive accounting experience, with a focus on nonprofit accounting
  • 3+ years of management experience overseeing finance teams
  • Strong knowledge of GAAP and internal controls
  • Proven ability to lead external audits and coordinate with auditors
  • Experience preparing IRS Form 990 with a tax firm
  • Capability to manage complex accounting operations effectively

Responsibilities

  • Lead and oversee accounting operations, including transaction entry and payroll processes
  • Facilitate the monthly close process to ensure timely financial reporting
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for annual external audits
  • Establish and maintain strong internal controls to mitigate risks
  • Supervise and develop a team of accounting professionals
  • Manage day-to-day functions like accounts payable and receivable
  • Play a key role in implementing and optimizing finance-related IT systems

Benefits

  • Hybrid work environment with flexibility
  • Opportunity for professional development and team mentorship
  • Access to a high-performance financial team
  • Engagement with strategic financial planning initiatives
  • Participation in organizational growth and innovation projects
Full Job Description
The Opportunity:

Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB) is seeking a highly experienced and detail-oriented Controller to lead the organization's accounting operations, financial reporting, and internal controls. This role is responsible for ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and timeliness of OPB's financial information, while maintaining compliance with GAAP and nonprofit accounting standards.

The Controller serves as a key partner to the CFO and Finance leadership, overseeing transaction entry, payroll, the monthly close process, external audit, compliance, and core accounting functions. This role will play a critical leadership role in strengthening accounting processes, supporting OPB's continued growth, and ensuring strong financial stewardship across the organization.

Position Summary

The OPB Finance team is evolving beyond traditional accounting functions toward a highly collaborative, strategic partner model. The Controller will be instrumental in building scalable processes, strengthening controls, and supporting a high performing finance team.

OPB is currently modernizing its financial systems through implementation of a new ERP, Workday. The Controller will play a central role in system design, process improvement, and ensuring data integrity during and after implementation.

In partnership with the CFO, the Controller contributes to OPB's long-term financial strategy by providing insights, identifying risks and opportunities, and supporting organizational decision-making. This role helps translate OPB's strategic priorities into sustainable financial plans, ensuring financial systems, processes, and reporting frameworks can support future growth, innovation, and operational excellence.

Working Conditions
  • Work environment: Hybrid, located at bureau or other OPB location. Primarily office based with extensive computer use during OPB business hours. Hybrid work is available in accordance with OPB policy.
  • Schedule: This position typically works 5 days per week, Monday through Friday during core business hours, though some weekend/evening work is possible/required.
  • Physical demands: This position requires extended periods of computer use, including viewing screens and performing repetitive keyboard and mouse tasks, as well as the occasional lifting, carrying, and moving of file boxes and office materials weighing up to 40 pounds.
  • Travel: Occasional travel could be required for conference opportunities.

Required Education & Experience
  • Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
  • 8+ years of progressive accounting experience, including nonprofit accounting
  • 3+ years of management experience
  • Strong knowledge of GAAP and internal controls
  • Experience leading external audits and working with auditors


  • Experience leading 990 preparations in coordination with tax firm
  • Demonstrated ability to manage complex accounting operations

Preferred Education & Experience
  • CPA or equivalent certification
  • Experience in nonprofit, media, or public broadcasting organizations
  • Experience with ERP systems; Workday and Ramp experience strongly preferred
  • Familiarity with grant accounting and donor-restricted funds

Minimum Position Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
  • Technical accounting expertise
  • Commitment to accuracy and integrity
  • Strong leadership and team development skills
  • Process improvement and systems mindset
  • Effective communication with both finance and non-finance stakeholders
  • Strong organizational and time management skills
  • Strategic thinking and long-range financial planning capabilities
  • Ability to translate financial data into actionable business insights
  • Strong analytical and scenario-planning skills


  • Ability to identify organizational risks, opportunities, and emerging trends
  • Enthusiasm for the mission of OPB

Supervisory Responsibilities
This position supervises 4 employees.
  • Lead and manage an accounting team of 4 people, Accountant 1, Payroll Accountant, and 2 Accounting Technicians, including hiring, coaching, and performance management
  • Establish and maintain clear workflows, documentation, and internal controls across accounting functions
  • Provide mentorship, training, and professional development to accounting team members
  • Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement within Finance

Essential Functions

Financial Reporting & Close - 25%
  • Oversee monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes to ensure accurate and complete transaction entry and timely financial reporting
  • Partner with Senior Finance Manager to prepare and review internal financial statements and supporting schedules
  • Provide financial insight and trend analyses that support strategic decisions and organizational planning

Audit & Compliance - 25%
  • Lead annual external audit and serve as primary liaison with auditors in partnership with CFO
  • Oversee preparation of Form 990, 990T and other state and municipal regulatory filings in partnership with CFO
  • Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local requirements, including grant reporting
  • Maintain and strengthen internal controls and risk mitigation practices


Accounting Operations - 25%
  • Oversee day-to-day accounting functions, including transaction entry, general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll accounting, lease accounting, and fixed assets
  • Ensure accurate accounting for diverse revenue streams, including grants, underwriting, membership, and sponsorships
  • Oversee and review journal entries and reconciliations
  • Perform key account analyses including identifying errors, omissions, and items for reclassification
  • Support cash and treasury accounting processes in coordination with CFO

ERP Systems & Process Optimization - 25%
  • Play a leadership role in implementation, configuration, and ongoing optimization or all finance department IT systems
  • Identify and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency, scalability, and data accuracy
  • Partner with Finance, IT, and system stakeholders to troubleshoot issues and improve workflows
  • Ensure strong data governance and integrity across financial systems

Additional Information
  • This role is full time, benefits eligible, and unrepresented.
  • The probable hiring range for this exempt role is $121,000-150,000 per year.

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