Assistant Controller

Founded in 1876, the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) is the oldest conservation and recreation organization in the United States. Our mission is simple yet powerful: foster the protection, enjoyment, and understanding of the outdoors. With a focus on protecting mountains, forests, waters, and trails throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions, we envision a world where our natural resources are healthy, loved, and always protected, and where the outdoors occupies a place of central importance in every person’s life.

This position helps advance AMC’s mission and the four strategic priorities of AMC’s All Out Action Plan:

• Inspire joyous, meaningful outdoor experiences
• Protect critical landscapes for the well-being of people and the outdoors
• Cultivate and sustain a robust and welcoming community
• Foster access to the outdoors

The Assistant Controller partners with the Controller to oversee the organization’s accounting, financial reporting, and compliance functions. This role ensures the accuracy and integrity of financial data, supports grant management, and maintains adherence to GAAP, federal and state regulations, and nonprofit accounting standards. The Assistant Controller provides strong leadership and guidance to the accounting team, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and professional growth. The Assistant Controller plays a central role in month-end close, audit preparation, and restricted and grant funds management, as well as actively driving process and system enhancements to improve efficiency, strengthen internal controls, and support the organization’s long-term financial health.

This role can be hybrid or remote but must be within driving distance of AMC’s Boston Headquarter to attend meetings, and other events as needed.

What You’ll Be Doing At AMC

Accounting and Reporting

• Maintain the general ledger and ensure accuracy of all financial data.
• Oversee the monthly and annual close process, including journal entries and reconciliations.
• Assist in the preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements.
• Leverage the financial system to develop reports that support analysis and strategic decision-making, ensuring the reporting structure aligns with non-profit reporting and organizational needs, and cost allocation methodologies.
• Oversee or perform the accounting for capital assets, payroll and fringe, investments, endowment, contract and grant revenue recognition, and cost allocations.
• Investments – track manager documents, monitor and approve capital calls, record and reconcile activity, maintain portfolio cash analysis.
• Support budget and forecasting processes, as requested

Restricted and Grant Funds Management

• Maintain and enhance systems, processes, accounting and reporting of restricted gifts, grants and government awards.
• Oversee all financial aspects of post award grant management.
• Partner with and support program teams in recording and tracking grant and gift expenses and balances.
• Ensure compliance with federal uniform guidance standards.
• Maintain proper documentation and audit trails for all restricted and government-funded activities.

Systems & Process Improvement

• Provide leadership in maintaining and enhancing financial systems, processes and reporting, including the following related to Sage Intacct:
• Activating additional system functions (bank feeds, approval workflows, checklists).
• Evaluating and deploying enhancements and new modules (e.g., dimension structure, dynamic allocations, grants management, fixed assets) in partnership with IT and guided by the technology roadmap.
• In partnership with IT, support digital transformation initiatives, including integrations between the financial system and other enterprise applications (i.e., donor management, lodging, retail, membership).

Team Leadership and Supervision

• Lead and supervise team members to deliver high performance and advance organizational priorities.
• Establish clear expectations, provide regular feedback, and conduct formal performance evaluations.
• Foster a collaborative, supportive, and accountable team culture built on transparency.
• Champion continuous improvement by identifying opportunities to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and communication.
• Provide coaching, mentorship, and professional development to strengthen the team’s technical and analytical skills.

Audit, Tax, and Compliance

• Support the annual financial statement audit, Single Audit (if applicable), 403b audit and preparation of IRS Form 990, including coordination of schedules, documentation, and auditor requests.
• Maintain and monitor the organization’s finance compliance calendar, ensuring timely completion of all federal, state, and local filings.
• Oversee and maintain corporate registrations and good standing in all applicable jurisdictions; prepare and file annual reports, charitable registration renewals, and property tax exemption filings as required.
• Ensure compliance with applicable nonprofit, tax-exempt, and charitable solicitation laws and regulations.

What AMC Is Looking For

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or related field required.
• CPA strongly preferred.
• 5+ years of progressive accounting experience, including at least 2 years in a nonprofit organization and at least 2 years in a supervisory role.
• Proven experience leading, mentoring and motivating high-performing teams
• Solid understanding of nonprofit accounting, grants management and federal uniform guidance.
• Experience with financial statement audits and grant reporting.
• Proficiency in Excel at and advanced level, and with at least one major accounting system (Sage Intacct preferred).

Skills & Competencies

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Exceptional attention to detail and organizational ability
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines and priorities
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong team leadership and development
• Collaborative mindset with the ability to work cross-functionally with program, development, and operations teams
• Commitment to the mission and values of the organization

What AMC Can Offer You

Salary Range

Boston based: $88,796- $119,881

Other New England based locations: $77,214-$104,244

We are committed to fair compensation practices, and we encourage qualified candidates to apply. The initial salary represents our starting point, and our compensation philosophy is designed to reward and recognize the contributions of our employees as they grow within the organization. External candidates typically begin their journey with us at the starting point of the salary range. The final compensation offer will be based on factors such as experience, education, skills and geographic differential relevant to the position, and will be discussed during the interview process.

Benefits

• Health Plan: Generous employer contributions with optional vision and dental.
• Other Insurance: 100% employer paid life insurance, AD&D insurance, long-term disability.
• Career Progression: The potential to have annual compensation reviews commensurate with performance and effort.
• Retirement: 403(b) with 4% matching employer contributions and a vesting schedule. This benefit increases with tenure.
• Paid Time Off: up to 4 weeks of Paid Time Off and up to 11 paid company holidays at hire. This benefit increases with tenure.
• Other Team Member Perks:
• 30% discount on AMC Merchandise Free Annual AMC Membership
• 10 Free nights at AMC locations
• Educational Assistance
• Pro deal discounts on equipment & gear and more!