Controller in Austin, Texas at Texas Tribune Inc

The Texas Tribune seeks a Controller to lead the organization’s 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 Tribune’s 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• Bachelor’s 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.

• 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 $115,000.

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 organization. The 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 can't wait to hear from you!

About The Texas Tribune

Here’s what you should know about the Tribune. From day one, we’ve had disruption, innovation and risk-taking in our DNA. We’re ambitious as all get out but still have the punch-above-your-weight mentality of a scrappy start-up. We believe we can meet the demands of our audience and our own expectations for excellence without breaking the bank — or our staff. We understand not everything is a story for us — we have to make choices — but we’re always looking to expand our boundaries.

We’re non-profit because the challenging economic reality for media these days obligates us to find a different way, reliable and sustainable, to fund serious journalism. We’re nonpartisan because we live in the United States of Confirmation Bias — and we don’t need to be part of the problem. We don’t need to be yet another source of information affirming the voices and perspectives that are already in people’s heads. At the same time, nonpartisan is not non-thinking. We call B.S. when B.S. needs to be called.The Texas Tribune seeks to ensure that its newsroom and its news coverage reflect Texas by including a wide range of perspectives from people of different backgrounds, ideologies and experiences.
Learn more about The Texas Tribune here.