Controller

Description

Position Title: Controller

Department: Administration

Reports to: VP/Chief Finance and Administration Officer (CFAO)

Category: Exempt

Status: Full-time salary

Location: Taliesin West, Scottsdale, AZ

Remote Compatible: Hybrid

Reviewed/Approved: July 20, 2026

Position Summary:

Under the supervision of the VP/Chief Finance and Administration Officer (VP/CFAO), the Controller is responsible for direct fiscal management of the Foundation. The Controller provides leadership and management to ensure that the organization has operational controls and administrative and reporting procedures and systems in place to effectively grow and enhance the Foundation and realize its vision. Key components of the role include preparing monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements, state and federal tax filings and other corporate documents; compiling the annual budget and forecasts; organizing and managing restricted funds and investments under the policy established by the Board of Trustees; and overseeing the annual financial audit and tax return preparation. The Controller and his/her team also provides staff support for Committees of the Board of Trustees (Board), leadership, and all departments of the Foundation.

Essential Functions:

• Oversees the functions and supervision of the Finance Department and staff. 
• Plans, manages, and oversees general ledger entries and a timely monthly closing process.
• Works in partnership with revenue-generating departments to ensure the Finance Department receives timely and accurate information. These departments include but are not limited to store, public engagement, licensing, and advancement.  
• Has overall responsibility for managing and monitoring revenue and expenses and ensuring funds are spent within budget. Establishes and monitors compliance with purchasing policies and procedures.
• Has primary responsibility for department coordination and compilation of the annual operating and capital budgets, forecasts, and operational review, and works closely with the CEO/President and VP/CFAO on developing the annual budget prior to submission for Board approval.
• Manages and analyzes all Foundation accounting, cash, and investment activity, including financial statements, accounts payable/receivable, payroll, cash flow, lines of credit, and operating reserve, and establishes and monitors controls to safeguard funds and assets.
• Reviews and distributes monthly financial reports to the CEO/President, VP/CFAO, Board or Committees (as requested), and Department Managers.
• Administers the Foundation’s commercial card program through Alliance Bank of Arizona and the Concur expense management system.  
• Plans, organizes, and coordinates the annual independent audit of financial statements, compilation of financial statements, tax return preparation, and Federal Single Audit, if required.
• Assists revenue generating departments to provide support for the successful operation of point-of-sale, ticketing, and event management software, and to ensure the associated data entry to the accounting software is timely and accurate.
• Has primary responsibility for Foundation cash management; monitors daily cash position and recommends movements between accounts as needed to cover anticipated expenses.
• Administers payroll, benefits, and 401k programs, working with the HR Director and VP/CFAO to evaluate benefit packages and employee costs.  
• Recommends and researches departmental efficiencies and software solutions and makes recommendations to department heads and VP/CFAO for funding.
• Assists VP/CFAO in oversight of our external technology consultant, ensuring IT and phone related issues are resolved in a timely manner.
• Understands and is aware of upcoming and new accounting standards or pronouncements and implements the standards as needed.  
• Serves as a back-up for Finance staff duties and tasks.
• Works with Taliesin Preservation, Inc. management and staff in Wisconsin.
• Performs other tasks as assigned by VP/CFAO.

This hybrid position is full-time with a salary of $105-115K/year depending on experience (DOE), and a comprehensive benefits package including paid time off. The Foundation pays up to 90% of monthly health insurance premiums and provides all regular full-time employees with our life insurance, short-term and long-term disability, and long-term care policies at no cost to employees.

A career at Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation offers more than an opportunity to impact the world through our mission. Our team does vital and valued work that fosters creativity, collaboration, and camaraderie. Besides competitive compensation and benefits, we offer an inclusive environment, amazing views, and incredible architecture to inspire you every day.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or related degree.  
• At least four years’ relevant experience in the accounting field.
• At least one year of nonprofit accounting experience including compiling and/or auditing nonprofit financial statements.
• At least two years’ management or supervisory experience. 
• Ability to identify and resolve problems in a timely manner and skillfully gather and analyze information. 
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills including ability to maintain confidentiality, communicate with peers and encourage a team environment.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to prioritize and plan work activities and use time efficiently when managing workload.
• Ability to ensure quality control, accuracy and thoroughness and monitor own work to ensure accuracy.
• Ability to adapt to changes in the work environment, manage competing demands and deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.
• Ability to work independently and be dependable.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Certified Public Accountant or working towards CPA certificate.
• Experience with Blackbaud’s Financial Edge/NXT accounting system, or similar mid-market accounting software such as Great Plains, Sage, NetSuite or MAS 90.
• Experience with Shopify Point of Sale software interfaces and reporting, or other Retail Point of Sale Software.
• Experience with commercial card and expense report management.
• Experience with Salesforce interfaces and reporting, or other fundraising software such as Altru.

Physical Demands and Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job. 

Physical Demands: While performing the essential functions of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to handle or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; and consistently talk or hear; and rarely taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.  

Work environment: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

OSHA Risk Classification for COVID-19 Exposure: Lower Risk (Caution): This position has minimal occupational contact with the public and other co-workers and is therefore determined to fall within the Lower Risk category as defined by OSHA. To further minimize risk, employees are required to follow the Foundation's Safe and Healthy Workplace guidelines and related personal and facility infection control policies.