Controller

JOB SUMMARY: 

The Controller is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day accounting operations of St. Mary’s Native Corporation and its subsidiaries. This position ensures the timely and accurate preparation of financial information, supports strong internal controls, and helps maintain compliance with applicable accounting standards, tax requirements, and government contracting regulations.

This is a hands-on role. The Controller will not only supervise the accounting function, but will also play an important role in improving and formalizing processes, strengthening the close cycle, supporting the development of staff, and helping create a organized and reliable accounting environment. The accounting structure is being refined so the ideal candidate must be adaptable, proactive, and comfortable working in an environment where processes may need to be created or improved rather than simply followed.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Controller oversees the daily operations of the accounting department, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, fixed assets, general ledger activity, job costing, and account reconciliations. The position is responsible for ensuring that accounting transactions are recorded accurately, consistently, and in a timely manner across the corporation and its subsidiaries.

The Controller manages the monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes and prepares or reviews financial statements for both individual subsidiaries and the consolidated organization. This includes ensuring that financial reports are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and that supporting schedules, reconciliations, and workpapers are complete and audit-ready.

The Controller performs detailed review and analysis of financial activity, including budget-to-actual results, prior-period comparisons, and other variance analysis. This role investigates unusual balances or trends, identifies errors or process weaknesses, and communicates findings and recommendations to the CFO.

The Controller supports accounting and reporting requirements related to government contracting, including work involving 8(a) entities and other contracts subject to applicable compliance requirements. Experience with FAR, job costing, Service Contract Act, Davis-Bacon, union considerations, or related contracting requirements is essential. The role also supports the preparation of required government reports and assists with the financial aspects of contract compliance when applicable.

The Controller coordinates the annual audit process and works closely with external auditors, tax preparers, and other outside financial professionals. This includes preparing schedules, answering questions, gathering support, and helping ensure that audits and tax filings are completed efficiently and accurately.

The Controller supervises and develops accounting staff by assigning work, reviewing performance, answering technical questions, and helping create a more effective and accountable department. The role requires someone who can mentor employees while also setting clear expectations and maintaining standards for timeliness, accuracy, and professionalism.

The Controller may assist the CFO with budgeting, forecasting, cash flow analysis, and related financial planning activities. While overall financial strategy and executive-level leadership remain the responsibility of the CFO, the Controller plays an important supporting role by ensuring the accounting foundation is strong and that financial data is reliable. The Controller may also perform transactional or other incidental duties as needed to maintain continuity of operations, meet deadlines, and support the broader goals of the finance department.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

A bachelor’s degree in accounting is required. Equivalent combinations of education and progressively responsible experience may be considered if consistent with company policy.

The successful candidate should have at least seven years of progressive accounting experience, including significant experience in general ledger accounting, financial statement preparation, reconciliations, and month-end close. At least three to five years of supervisory or management experience is strongly preferred.

The candidate must have a strong working knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles and experience managing accounting operations in a complex environment.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Preference may be given to candidates with experience in Alaska Native Corporations, multi-entity organizations, or companies with subsidiary structures.

Experience with government contracting and related compliance requirements, including FAR, 8(a), Service Contract Act, Davis-Bacon, union agreements, and job costing, is highly desirable.

Experience with Sage Intacct is strongly preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES

The ideal candidate must possess strong technical accounting skills and the ability to move comfortably between detailed transactional review and higher-level financial oversight.

This position requires strong organizational ability, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines. The Controller must be able to assess problems, identify root causes, and implement practical solutions.

Strong leadership and interpersonal skills are essential. The successful candidate must be able to supervise staff effectively, provide guidance and accountability, and help build a strong and disciplined accounting team.

The Controller must communicate clearly and professionally with employees, managers, executives, auditors, consultants, and external stakeholders. The ability to explain accounting issues in a practical and understandable manner is important.

This role also requires flexibility, initiative, and a can-do attitude. The company is continuing to build and improve its financial processes and structure, so the successful candidate must be comfortable working in an environment that requires patience, adaptability, and a willingness to help create better systems rather than inherit them.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The majority of work is performed in a professional office setting with a wide variety of people with differing functions, personalities, and abilities.

Physical Demands

The work is generally sedentary, requiring routine walking, standing, bending, and carrying items weighing less than forty pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Preference Statement

SMNC grants preference to qualified SMNC Shareholders first, and second to qualified shareholders of other Alaska Native corporations that grant a similar preference in all phases of employment and training, including but not limited to hiring, promotion, layoff, transfer, and training.

General Disclaimer

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee in this position. The employee will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized

Interested applicants may contact HR@stmnc.net