Vice President & Controller

Work Environment

This position offers a hybrid work arrangement. Actual compensation will be based on geographic location, experience, qualifications, internal equity, and other relevant factors. and includes a 20% incentive target.

Pay Range

· Charlotte, Miami, San Antonio: $174,000 – $194,500

· Atlanta, Buffalo, Dallas, Fresno: $184,000 – $205,700

· Houston, Johnston, Minneapolis: $187,000 – $209,000

· Chicago, Philadelphia, Voorhees: $195,700 – $218,700

· Boston, Los Angeles: $203,700 - $227,600

· New York City, San Francisco: $217,000 – $242,800

Overview:

The American Arbitration Association (AAA) is seeking an experienced and strategic Vice President & Controller to provide enterprise-wide leadership in financial reporting, accounting operations, internal controls, and regulatory compliance.

This senior leadership role is responsible for ensuring the integrity, accuracy, timeliness, and reliability of the organization’s financial operations while driving operational excellence and strengthening financial governance. The Vice President & Controller will lead and develop a high-performing accounting function, establish scalable processes and controls, and implement best practices to support the organization’s continued growth and evolving needs.

The ideal candidate will bring strong business acumen, exceptional leadership capabilities, and the ability to communicate complex financial information clearly and effectively to stakeholders at all levels, including executive leadership.

Reporting to the CFO, the Controller is a core member of the executive Finance leadership team and works in close partnership with the CFO, the Vice President of Financial Planning & Strategy, and the Vice President of Finance Operations. The Controller has primary accountability for accounting, financial reporting, controls, audit, and related compliance matters while sharing responsibility for the overall quality and effectiveness of Finance.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Organization and Talent Leadership

Build and lead a high-performing accounting organization, including talent development, succession planning, and organizational design for 15 direct and indirect reportsAct as a trusted advisor to the CFO and executive leaders on accounting implications of strategic and operational decisions

Enterprise Accounting and Financial Reporting

Own the integrity and effectiveness of the monthly, quarterly, and annual close, ensuring timely, accurate, and decision-useful financial reportingOwn the preparation and integrity of internal and external financial statements and related disclosuresProvide accurate financial results and accounting insights, partnering with FP&A to explain performance drivers and material variances to managementEstablish and enforce accounting policies aligned with GAAP and regulatory standards

Controls, Audit, Tax, and Regulatory Stewardship

Serve as the primary owner and executive lead for all external audits, including planning, execution, issue resolution, and remediationEnsure audit readiness year-round and maintain strong relationships with external auditors, regulators, and advisorsOwn all federal, state, and local tax filings and compliance requirements, including coordination with external specialists as neededSupport the CFO in presenting financial reporting, audit results, accounting matters, and internal control topics to the Board of Directors and/or Audit CommitteeLead implementation of new accounting standards, ensuring timely adoption, proper documentation, and clear communication of impactsIdentify emerging accounting, reporting, control, compliance, and financial process risks and ensure appropriate controls, mitigation, escalation, and oversight

Accounting Operations and Transformation

Oversee transactional accounting functions, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, cash management, fixed assets, investments, insurance, and technology-related accountingEstablish a continuous-improvement agenda for accounting operations, leveraging automation, standardization, and technology to improve speed, scalability, accuracy, and controlEnsure accounting operations scale effectively with organizational growth, complexity, and change

Executive and Enterprise Partnership

Lead the accounting workstream for acquisitions, mergers, joint ventures, strategic investments, and other complex transactions, including due diligence, transaction structuring considerations, purchase accounting, opening balance sheet preparation, and post-close integration.Ensure acquired entities’ accounting processes, controls, and reporting are integrated effectively into AAA’s frameworkPartner with executive and functional leaders on strategic initiatives, ensuring accounting, control, reporting, and financial governance implications are appropriately consideredSupport ad hoc projects, special initiatives, and emerging responsibilities that may not be explicitly defined but are necessary for effective finance leadership

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related discipline requiredCPA designation strongly preferred; advanced coursework or certifications in accounting, audit, or finance transformation a plusSignificant progressive accounting and finance experience, typically 15+ years, including at least 5–7 years+ leading enterprise accounting functionsDemonstrated experience serving as Controller, Assistant Controller, or equivalent senior leader in a mid-sized to large organization, ideally with multi-entity, multi-fund, or complex reporting structuresDemonstrated success leading complex accounting organizations and developing senior accounting talentProven track record leading month-, quarter-, and year-end close and financial statement preparation in environments requiring high accuracy, strong controls, and tight timelinesExtensive experience designing, implementing, and operating internal control frameworks, financial policies, and audit processesExperience directing external audit relationships, including planning, execution, issue resolution, and remediation, as well as preparing materials for the Board, Audit Committee or similar governance bodiesExperience leading accounting transformation initiatives, including process redesign, system implementations or upgrades, automation, and standardizationExperience partnering with FP&A, IT, and business leaders to ensure accounting structures support analytics, forecasting, and strategic decision-making