Reports To: Chief Financial Officer Direct Reports: Assistant Controller, Accounts Payable Manager & Payroll and Accounting Associate
POSITION SUMMARY: Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, the Controller is responsible for directing finance and accounting operations and organizational oversight of accounting, payroll, budgeting, and accounts payable for the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. With a team of 3-4 full-time employees in Payroll, Accounts Payable, and Accounting, provide the organization with effective strategies and best practices to ensure sound financial management, effective processes and strong internal controls.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Oversee the accounting and finance operations, providing strategic analysis, executive support, and optimization of financial systems and processes.
Manage the accounting and payroll team, ensuring accuracy and timeliness across areas of responsibility.
Drive the annual budgeting process and serve as a subject matter expert, consulting with department leaders and providing insight to executive leadership to ensure an effective process and a balanced budget.
Ensure financial reporting is completed accurately on a monthly, quarterly and yearly basis.
Oversee accounts payable processes, expense reimbursements, credit card allocation processes, and appropriate and required documentation of these processes.
Oversee company retirement plan contributions and upload funds to retirement plan, ensuring compliance.
Oversee internal audit processes and serve as primary liaison with external auditors during audit periods.
Ensure that all financial operations are conducted in compliance with generally accepted accounting principles and state and federal laws and regulations.
Coordinating with the public accounting firm, ensure the preparation of 990 tax returns for SLSO, Encore and SLSET.
Provide insight and reporting during insurance renewal processes, retirement plan year-end and compliance testing time periods.
Support grant application processing, including completion of financial information sections of grant reports.
Develop new and updated processes and policies to ensure the organization streamlines and stays up to date on the latest best practices, requirements and laws.
Work closely with other teams to understand challenges and identify ways to improve organizational support.
REQUIREMENTS:
Bachelor’s degree in accounting, business administration, or related field.
8+ years of advanced accounting experience, preferably in a non-profit environment, with a proven track record in a leadership/management role.
CPA certification strongly preferred. Public accounting experience preferred.
Experience managing payroll preferred.
Proficient in Word and Excel. Accounting software such as Financial Edge preferred.
High degree of accuracy and ability to meet deadlines.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills; ability to effectively interact with all levels in the organization.
Strong ability to motivate a team and achieve successful results through others.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and work with confidential data.
About the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra
Celebrated as one of today’s most exciting and enduring orchestras, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra is the second-oldest orchestra in the country, marking its 145th year with the 2024/2025 season and its sixth with Stéphane Denève, The Joseph and Emily Rauh Pulitzer Music Director. Widely considered one of the leading American orchestras, the Grammy® Award-winning SLSO maintains its commitment to artistic excellence, educational impact, and community collaborations—all in service to its mission of enriching lives through the power of music.
The core of the SLSO’s artistic foundation is its dynamic partnership with Denève, whose energetic musicianship, visionary storytelling, and collaborative spirit have created stronger connections with local and visiting artists, as well as advanced the SLSO’s role as a leader in music education. The SLSO musical family also includes two resident choruses: the St. Louis Symphony Chorus, founded in 1976, performs choral-orchestral music from the Baroque era to today; and the St. Louis Symphony IN UNISON Chorus, founded in 1994, focuses on the performance and preservation of music from the African diasp...ora. The St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra, founded by Conductor Laureate Leonard Slatkin in 1970, is the region’s premiere training orchestra for high school and college students.
In March 2023, the SLSO broke ground on a 65,000-square foot expansion and renovation of the orchestra’s home, Powell Hall—the first major renovation project at the historic Grand Center building since it became the SLSO's permanent home in 1968. Led by the internationally acclaimed architecture firm Snøhetta, the project will transform the audience and artistic experience while protecting Powell Hall's historic character and celebrated acoustics, creating a state-of-the art center for community, innovation, and powerful music experiences. While construction is underway, the SLSO will perform throughout the community. The Jack C. Taylor Music Center, with the revitalized Powell Hall at its heart, will open in 2025.
An integral part of the vibrant St. Louis community, the SLSO enjoys a long history of robust and enduring artistic collaborations with individuals and organizations locally and around the world. Orchestra musicians share dozens of education and community performances throughout the region each year at medical facilities, places of worship, community centers, and schools. For more than 20 years, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra: Live at the Pulitzer series has highlighted today’s leading musical voices through innovative performances in collaboration with and reaction to the exhibitions at the Pulitzer Arts Foundation. The SLSO has served as the resident orchestra for Opera Theatre of Saint Louis for more than 45 years. The orchestra also continues to foster impactful artistic collaborations, including a chamber music series with The Sheldon, as well as regular partnerships with The Muny, Saint Louis Dance Theatre, the Saint Louis Art Museum, and others. Beyond the St. Louis region, the SLSO's impact is realized through Saturday night concert broadcasts on St. Louis Public Radio and Classic 107.3, acclaimed recordings, regular touring activity, and a digital portfolio that includes a robust online education platform with curriculum materials, interactive programs, activities, and learning opportunities for all ages.
Since the arrival of Marie-Hélène Bernard as President and CEO in 2015, the SLSO has aligned its mission to make music more accessible, while fostering a culture welcoming to all. Building on its momentum, the SLSO serves as a convener of individuals, creators, and ideas, and is committed to building community through compelling and inclusive musical experiences. As it continues its longstanding focus on equity, diversity, inclusion, and access, the SLSO embraces its strengths as a responsive, nimble organization, while investing in partnerships locally and elevating its presence globally. For more information, visit slso.org.
