Controller

Fotografiska, the photography museum, is the Home of Contemporary Culture. Founded in Stockholm, in late 2019 the Museum opened a treasured, historic landmark building in NYC’s Flatiron District. The iconic Stockholm and NYC locations are complemented by expansion in Tallinn, and a forthcoming Berlin Museum set to open in 2023. Fotografiska’s goals are simple: to build a more conscious world through the power of photography, to bring people together, raise awareness and inspire new perspectives.

Fotografiska | New York

Located at 281 Park Avenue South, the six-floor, 45,000 sq ft. historic landmark is home to an unexpected mix of world-class art, vibrant cultural programming, and exceptional dining experiences including Verōnika and Chapel Bar. Recent exhibitions include works from Andy Warhol and David LaChapelle, and currently Hip-Hop “Conscious, Unconscious” and Elizaveta Porodina.

The Role

Fotografiska New York’s Controller will serve as steward for the accounting process, systems, and controls across the entire property. The role reports into Museum’s Executive Director and has a functional reporting line to the President/CFO of Fotografiska, who is based in Stockholm.

The Controller develops and maintains the accounting foundations, practices and discipline required to support the Museum long-term. Working alongside our external accounting partners, the Controller will take responsibility for building the accounting infrastructure needed to ensure a responsible, compliant, and sustainable operation scaling toward financial sophistication. We are looking for an autonomous self-starter who acts as a team player with various stakeholders across the business.

Responsibilities

The Controller will lead and be responsible for the whole accounting function in NYC.

• Leverage strong accounting and financial expertise to support Fotografiska’s NYC operations, including:
• identifying opportunities for accounting process improvement and automation by leveraging implementing best practices and/or technology solutions
• provide guidance on accounting treatment for business activities as they arise; stay up to date with accounting policy changes and ensure compliance through proper and timely implementation

• proactively identify and address the evolving needs of the business as we scale including the change out or implementation of any new systems
• develop, document, and enforce policies and procedures
• oversee and direct the Accounts Payable function including vendor management, invoice processing, and timely scheduling of payments
• oversee all aspects of tax compliance including sales tax, federal and state income taxes, etc., with assistance from our external accounting partners
• Ensure timely filing of all tax returns and payments

• Effectively support the execution of accounting responsibilities for the business, including:
• Support the annual business plan and operating budget, forecasting, financial analysis
• Responsible for internal controls, cash management, balance sheet reconciliation, financial reporting, P&L accuracy, capital expenditure budget
• Help to enhance and educate team on financial accounting skills and accounting best practices, including:
• assisting all department heads in the interpretation of financial data as it relates to accounting, and recommending a course of action to maximize profitability, cost control, sales, etc.

• providing ongoing analytical decision support & tools to ensure revenue goals are met and opportunities are identified and addressed
• assisting in creating SOPs and put in place appropriate controls to manage business and financial risks
• ensure compliance with standard and local operating procedures, and local regulations
• closely work with HR in booking and compliance of payroll and benefits
• Oversee internal, external, and regulatory audit processes and ensure compliance

• Ensure that the P&L is accurate, and statements are delivered to appropriate individuals or external partners in a timely manner
• Effectively manage property working capital and cash flow
• Perform other ad hoc tasks or projects as assigned by Executive leadership team and/or the CFO

• 10 years of related accounting experience
• 5 years leading full-cycle accounting for a private business, complemented by experience in public accounting; ideally experience with high-volume transaction reconciliation
• Expert understanding of GAAP with the ability to translate GAAP standards to international consolidation; some exposure to IFRS would be helpful, but is not required
• Experience with cloud-based POS systems like Toast and Shopify will be beneficial to quick integration into Museum financial operations
• CPA certification

• Previous experience managing the relationship of the accounting function with an external accounting partner necessary
• Experience working in an international environment

COVID19: The health and well-being of our members, guests and staff has been our number one priority and the guiding force behind all of our decisions as we open our doors. We encourage you to learn more about our commitment to safety by reading through the steps we have taken to ensure that our teams feel safe, comfortable, and secure going forward on our website.

Diversity & Representation: Fotografiska is committed to building and supporting diverse and representative communities and extends Equal Employment Opportunities to qualified applicants and employees on an equal basis regardless of an individual's age, race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy status, marital status, military or veteran status, genetic disposition or any other reason protected by law.