Controller

The Controller is responsible for the leadership, integrity, and accuracy of the Bank's accounting function. The Controller partners closely with leadership to drive a disciplined, efficient and well-documented close process and maintains strong balance sheet reconciliation practices.

The Controller ensures compliance with U.S. GAAP, and regulatory reporting requirements, provides financial leadership and operational insight to the accounting team and supports strategic initiatives including acquisitions and new accounting standards implementation.

The Controller will supervise accounting staff and provide hands-on training and development to the team. The Controller plays a key part in strengthening the accounting function through clear documentation, standardized reconciliation practices, and collaboration with internal stakeholders across the organization.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Financial Accounting & Reporting

• Lead and oversee all accounting operational processes, including the monthly close process, ensuring timely completion of journal entries, reconciliations, and review procedures.
• Maintain ownership and integrity of the general ledger, ensuring transactions are recorded accurately, timely and consistently.
• Ensure all balance sheet accounts are reconciled and supported timely, with appropriate documentation and review.
• Supervise and mentor accounting staff, providing hands-on training and development on reconciliations, journal entries and transaction flows.
• Ensure operational consistency, timeliness and accuracy across accounting processes, including accounts payable, prepaid accounting, fixed assets, investment, accruals and recurring journal entries
• Partner with internal teams to research and resolve discrepancies and improve data flow into the general ledger
• Foster a culture of accountability, accuracy, and continuous improvement.
• Lead research and implementation of new accounting pronouncements under U.S. GAAP.

Regulatory Reporting

• Oversee the preparation and provide review of regulatory filings, including the quarterly Call Report, Y-9C and Y-9LP, ensuring proper reporting that is supported and timely.
• Establish and reinforce a general ledger reconciliation program, including standard documentation requirements, review procedures, and escalation protocols for unresolved items.
• Maintain and enhance a robust system of internal controls in full compliance with SOX 404(b) requirements.
• Support external and internal audits by ensuring documentation is organized, complete, and readily available.
• Act as the primary liaison between internal stakeholders and external auditors, ensuring timely and accurate fulfillment of audit requests across all departments.
• Continuously improve accounting controls, processes and documentation, including development of standardized templates, procedures and training materials.
• Increase utilization of technology to support the accounting operations to allow more focus on value-added tasks and responsibilities.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Strong understanding of U.S. GAAP, regulatory reporting requirements for financial institutions, balance sheet reconciliations, and the financial close process.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop accounting staff, including training and mentoring team members.
• Ability to research complex accounting transactions and identify root causes of reconciling differences.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a dynamic environment.
• Ability to communicate accounting concepts clearly to both accounting and non-accounting stakeholders.
• Experience working in environments undergoing process improvements, systems implementations, or operation change preferred.
• Understanding of SOX 404(b) compliance and the ability to lead the team in relation to proper internal controls.
• Ability to adhere to Needham Bank's Core Values.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance or related field
• Master's degree is a plus
• CPA is preferred
• 7+ years of progressive accounting experience, including 5+ years of banking-related experience
• Experience working with core banking (COCC experience preferred), accounting systems (Prologue experience preferred), workflow systems (FloQast experience a plus) and understanding how transactional systems integrate with the general ledger.
• Strong understanding of general ledger structures, account reconciliation practices, and close processes
• Strong understanding of SOX internal controls and related compliance
• Demonstrated experience developing accounting staff and improving accounting operations
• Knowledge of U.S. GAAP and regulatory reporting requirements
• Intermediate-level computer skills and working proficiency with Microsoft Office
• Strong project management skills
• Experience with or implementation of advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence is a plus.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Normal business office environment

Pay Range: $116,440.45 - $163,016.63/year

The pay range provided is based on what we believe is a reasonable estimate for the pay range for this job at the time of posting. Actual pay may vary based on experience, skills, and market factors; additional compensation may apply.

Needham Bank offers a competitive salary and an amazing benefit package for a full-time employee which includes fully paid medical and dental insurance, HRA, 401(k) plan with an 8% bank match, paid time off (PTO), paid holidays, a bonus program, flexible spending accounts, vision service plan, group term life insurance, short and long term disability insurance, tuition reimbursement, and an Employee Assistance Program. We offer a great benefit package to our eligible part-time employees as well.

At NB, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace - if you are excited about this role, but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we still encourage you to apply. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Needham Bank is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. Needham Bank will provide all applicants for employment and all employees with equal opportunity for employment and promotion regardless of race, color, religion, gender, national origin or ancestry, age, disability, veteran status, military service, sexual orientation, genetic information, or gender identity.