Pro-Bono CPA / Comptroller (Part-Time, up to 20 hours/month)

Location: Hybrid / New York City

Start: August

Organization Type: 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts institution

Compensation: Initially pro-bono (with potential to evolve into a paid, fractional role)

🎭 About New York City Opera

Founded in 1943 as "The People's Opera," New York City Opera (NYCO) is a renowned nonprofit institution with a mission to make opera accessible, relevant, and artistically vibrant. The company is currently undergoing strategic revival under the leadership of Executive Director & Music Director Constantine Orbelian, with a focus on global partnerships, innovative programming, and institutional transparency.

• Registered 501(c)(3)
• Active EIN with the IRS
• SAM.gov registration
• Annual programming includes performances in NYC, national outreach, and education initiatives

🧾 Role Overview

We are seeking a mission-aligned CPA, experienced nonprofit comptroller to join our core operations team and help stabilize, structure, and oversee financial systems during a critical growth phase.

This is a long-term, flexible engagement, ideal for someone who believes in the soft power of culture and is open to contributing their expertise to a high-impact arts organization with national and international visibility.

🔧 Key Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day accounting and bookkeeping (currently no internal bookkeeper)
• Manage chart of accounts, reconcile statements, track donations and grants (we have a grant manager)
• Support preparation and review of IRS Form 990
• Coordinate with executive team on budgeting and reporting
• Provide documentation and financial clarity for the next year audit
• Serve as liaison for financial compliance (SAM.gov, Grants.gov, federal grant documentation)
• Help build internal protocols and financial controls as the organization scales

✅ Ideal Candidate

• The candidate must hold a valid and active CPA license issued by the New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions.
• The license must be in “Active” status
• Familiarity with 501(c)(3) reporting requirements and audit preparation
  • Preferred but not required: membership in professional organizations such as the NYSSCPA or AICPA.
• Hands-on, detail-oriented, and proactive
• Comfortable building from the ground up in a lean but visionary environment
• Aligned with NYCO’s artistic and civic mission

📚 Additional Context

This is a hands-on position — we are not seeking an advisor but someone willing to help rebuild systems responsibly.

Form 990 support is needed in preparation, documentation, and review stages.

The organization is entering a new phase of strategic development: the budget and volume of transactions are still moderate, but we are preparing for larger growth, increased donor activity, and federal funding.

Executive financial authority is held by Maestro Constantine Orbelian. Financial decisions are made collaboratively with the strategic development team.