Assistant Controller, Director at American Institute of Physics Incorporated – College Park, Maryland

Position Title: Assistant Controller, Director

WHO WE ARE: As a Federation, AIP advances the success of a community of more than 30 independent scientific organizations. They, in turn, support hundreds of thousands of professionals across many scientific and engineering disciplines. AIP creates shared spaces — forums, conversations, connections — where individual action among our Member Organizations becomes collective impact.

We want you to become a part of our mission and join our dynamic team!

SUMMARY:

AIP is seeking an Assistant Controller, to oversee the day-to-day functions of the accounting team under the direction of the Controller. This role performs a variety of hands-on general accounting tasks and ensures all accounting transactions comply with GAAP. Responsibilities include reviewing payroll, payables, receivables, completing account reconciliations, and approving journal entries. The Assistant Controller will play a key role in the annual consolidated financial and retirement plan audits and in preparing Forms 990 and 990-T. This position works closely with the Controller and helps drive the priorities across the department.

WHAT YOU’LL DO: 

• Review and approve recurring financial transactions and activities.
• Identify and recommend corrections for errors or inconsistencies in financial entries.
• Document accounting processes and identify opportunities for process improvement.
• Prepare audit workpapers and support schedules for annual financial audit and employee benefit plan audits.
• Coordinate completion of Forms 990 and 990-T, including the UBIT calculations.
• Lead the accounting team in adherence to the month-end close timelines and account reconciliation schedules.
• Work with the Assistant Director of F&A on ERP and planning/budgeting systems’ maintenance, including hierarchies and report development.
• Coordinate with the Controller to ensure accurate and timely processing and recording payroll and general accounting transactions.
• Maintain a strong understanding of all general accounting functions to aid and cross-train as needed.
• Maintain internal controls related to areas of responsibility.
• Supervise payroll and general accounting staff.
• Participate in the annual budgeting process.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

WHAT YOU’LL BRING:

• Bachelor's degree is required. Master’s Degree is preferred.
• CPA is preferred.
• 5-8 years of progressive accounting experience in a leadership role to include payroll and general accounting teams in a nonprofit environment.
• Prefer experience working in a nonprofit with multi-organization reporting responsibility
• Experience managing or overseeing an organizational budget of $40M or greater
• Proven ability to meet deadlines.
• Strong supervisory and leadership skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.
• High attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
• Effective time-management skills and the ability to prioritize competing tasks.
• Solid understanding of GAAP and NFP accounting.
• Experience with ADP required.
• Experience with Oracle Fusion ERP and related PBCS system is a plus.

TO APPLY:

Include a resume and a cover letter. We encourage you to apply even if your experience does not fully match the position description. At AIP, we embrace people from a diversity of backgrounds and career experiences. 

COMPENSATION: $122,828.00 - $135,111.00

WORKING AT AIP:

AIP embraces a flexible hybrid work environment to balance in-person collaborative work with remote work. The team works in a flexible, hybrid schedule and reports to our offices in College Park, Maryland and Washington, DC, as needed. Employees are required to reside in the DC Metro regions of Maryland, Virginia, or Washington, DC.

We offer comprehensive benefits, including generous paid time off, medical/dental/vision coverage, an annual retirement contribution of 10% of base pay, tuition assistance, commuter benefits, and more. 

Your colleagues at AIP are welcoming, gracious, and eager to help each other succeed. With our commitment to community service, institute-wide social opportunities, and ongoing learning and development, AIP is a rewarding place to work.

ABOUT AIP: Scientific discovery shapes our lives every day. And AIP empowers the organizations and people that make those discoveries possible.

As a Federation, AIP advances the success of a community of more than 30 independent scientific organizations. They, in turn, support hundreds of thousands of professionals across many scientific and engineering disciplines. AIP creates shared spaces — forums, conversations, connections — where individual action among our Member Organizations becomes collective impact.

As an Institute, AIP preserves the history of discovery so the past can guide the future. We study how research is done, who participates, and what holds people back or propels them to succeed. Our findings inform policy, practice, and decision-making across the physical sciences. We are especially focused on the next generation of physical scientists and committed to ensuring talent from anywhere can thrive in our fields.

Humanity needs science. And science needs people and organizations working together to tackle our planet’s toughest challenges. Together, we can advance science, empower scientists, and ensure discovery continues to shape our lives.

Commitment to Non-Discrimination: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.

Join our team of energized, charismatic, collaborative, and passionate individuals, and contribute to making a difference in the field of physical sciences!