Controller

The Texas Tribune seeks a Controller to lead the organizations accounting operations and help ensure strong financial stewardship across the newsroom and business teams. This person will oversee core accounting functions including financial reporting compliance and day-to-day financial processes ensuring accuracy and efficiency in support of the Tribunes mission. They will work closely with the CFO and collaborate across teams to maintain transparent reliable financial systems that support a growing nonprofit newsroom.

This role oversees core accounting functions including general ledger accounts receivable accounts payable payroll monthly close audit budgeting support and cash management. The Controller directly supervises the Staff Accountant and Accounts Receivable Specialist fostering a collaborative high-performing finance team.

The successful Controller will bring rigor transparency and operational excellence to the finance function. They will combine strong technical accounting skills with a practical collaborative approach suited to a dynamic nonprofit news environment.

Key Responsibilities:

Accounting & Financial Operations

• Manage all accounting operations including general ledger journal entries reconciliations accounts payable accounts receivable payroll coordination and fixed assets.
• Lead monthly and annual close processes to ensure timely and accurate financial statements.
• Prepare internal financial reports variance analyses and dashboards for the CFO and leadership team.
• Maintain accounting systems chart of accounts and financial workflows to support operational efficiency and growth.
• Monitor cash flow liquidity and banking activity; assist CFO with forecasting and treasury management.
• Track and report restricted and unrestricted funds in accordance with nonprofit accounting standards.
• Support accounting for multiple revenue streams such as contributions memberships subscriptions digital and events.
• Ensure proper allocation of shared costs across business lines.

Compliance & Controls

• Maintain strong internal controls and accounting policies.
• Ensure compliance with GAAP nonprofit accounting standards and applicable federal/state regulations.
• Coordinate annual financial audit and preparation of schedules workpapers and auditor requests.
• Support preparation of IRS Form 990 and other required filings in partnership with external tax advisors.
• Manage out of state employee payroll tax/benefit requirements sales tax or other indirect tax compliance where applicable.

Budgeting & Strategic Support

• Partner with the CFO on annual budgeting forecasting and long-range financial planning.
• Provide department leaders with budget-to-actual reporting and financial guidance.
• Analyze trends in revenue expenses staffing and program investments to inform decision-making.
• Recommend process improvements and scalable systems as the organization grows.

Team Leadership

• Supervise mentor and develop the Staff Accountant and Accounts Receivable Specialist.
• Establish clear priorities workflows and accountability across the accounting team.
• Promote a service-oriented detail-focused and mission-aligned team culture.

Qualifications:

Required

• Bachelors degree in Accounting Finance or related field.
• 7 years of progressive accounting experience with at least 2 years in a supervisory role.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP and nonprofit accounting principles including fund and grant accounting.
• Experience managing month-end close audits and financial reporting.
• Proficiency with accounting systems and advanced Excel skills.
• Strong organizational skills attention to detail and ability to manage multiple deadlines.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work cross-functionally with non-finance staff.

Preferred

• CPA or CPA candidate.
• Experience managing the finances of a growing and changing organization..
• Experience with ERP/accounting platforms such as QuickBooks Sage Intacct NetSuite or similar.

The salary for this position will depend on experience. The minimum is $115000.

Location

Austin TX- Remote- Candidate must reside in the Austin MSA

Benefits

This job is full-time and has the following benefits:

• Medical vision and dental insurance
• A cellphone stipend
• 20 days of paid time off each year
• Up to 16 weeks of paid family leave plus four weeks of additional job protection
• 401(k) matching
• Support for professional training and attending industry conferences
• Remote work flexibility

How to Apply

Submit your application by June 8th along with a résumé and cover letter summarizing your previous experience and telling us why you want to work at our award-winning news Texas Tribune is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race religion color national origin gender sexual orientation age marital status veteran status or disability status.
We cant wait to hear from you!

About The Texas Tribune

Our mission:
We pursue the truth so Texans can shape our future.

Our vision:
We envision a Texas where the work of self-government is enabled by accurate information. All Texans can ask questions hold leaders accountable for outcomes good or bad and participate fully in shaping our policy agendas. Across political and geographic divides Texans engage one another with curiosity rather than caricature strengthening our democracy and our future.

Our values:
Curious: We approach every question and person with an open mind.
Independent: We answer to the truth not to any party donor or ideology.
Constructive: We participate productively.
Ambitious: We pursue excellence and embrace bold ideas.
Accountable: We hold power to account and we hold ourselves to the same standards.

To fulfill our mission vision and values we are committed to a newsroom and coverage that reflect Texas by including a wide range of perspectives from people of different backgrounds ideologies and experiences.

Learn more about The Texas Tribune here.