Controller at Amerant in Miramar, Florida

Job Description:

The Controller heads the Company’s accounting department which comprises activities related to general and investment accounting; mortgage banking and other lending accounting; subsidiaries’ accounting and consolidation; travel and expense reporting; accounts payable; bank-premises lease accounting; fixed assets; accounting reconciliations; corporate credit card program; overall accounting assurance; and the design and operating effectiveness of relevant internal controls associated with such processes.


Directs all activities related to the Company and its Bank and non-bank subsidiaries related to: (i) accounting in accordance with USGAAP, and public company requirements of the SEC; (ii) accounting requirements of US Federal banking regulators (Federal Reserve, OCC, FDIC), and other specialized regulatory bodies. Supports the Company’s Chief Accounting Officer (CAO) in strategic initiatives, including capital market transactions, new business developments and corporate finance activities. This high-visibility position supports the CAO as subject-matter expert in matters requiring specialized technical accounting and compliance with internal controls over financial reporting requirements relevant to the role, and supports periodic interactions with internal and external auditors and other stakeholders, including periodic bank and bank holding company examinations by federal banking regulators.



Responsibilities:

Compliance with periodic public company accounting requirements and preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States (US GAAP). This includes:

• Manages the process for ongoing compliance with organizational accounting policies for the preparation of financial statements under with US GAAP and other basis of accounting as necessary, including periodic closing and consolidation in coordination with other units, including managing interactions with internal and external auditors and other stakeholders.


• Oversees the Company’s general and investment accounting processes as well as the subsidiaries’ accounting, which includes directing the periodic closing process, and the review of changes in the financial position and results of operations of all standalone entities and at the consolidated levels. Ensures all transactions are recorded completely, timely and accurately in accordance with the Company’s accounting policies.


• Oversees the Company’s accounting reconciliation and assurance process.


• Oversees the Company’s travel and expense reporting and accounts payabls process, which includes corporate credit card and integrated payables administration.


• Oversees the Company’s process for bank-premises lease accounting and fixed assets.


• Oversees the Company’s compliance with certain annual information reporting requirements of the IRS (i.e. tax withholding, FATCA).


• Manages interactions with regulatory agencies during their periodic examinations.


• Supports corporate actions and strategic decisions requiring highly technical accounting expertize, including development of adequate documentation supporting accounting judgements and conclusions.

Compliance with internal controls over financial reporting:

• Supports compliance with applicable federal rules and regulations pertaining to management’s certifications under FDCIA and Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act over the effectiveness of the organization’s Internal Controls over Financial Reporting (ICFR) based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO)


• Manages the design, operating effectiveness and maintenance of adequate internal controls over financial reporting process pertaining to accounting processes, for compliance with federal banking regulations and Management’s attestation for public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other Principal Activities

• Supports the CAO in the completion of special projects as necessary and in alignment with the specifics of the role, including filling in during absences.


• Monitors ongoing compliance with all contractual stipulations of trusts established for the purpose of issuing “Trust Preferred Stock” and a Real Estate Investment Trust, or REIT, including reporting requirements and timely payment of interest.


• Positions the accounting department as the go-to body for assistance on technical accounting and effects on operations.


• Supervises compliance with employment policies for all department team members (currently a total of 19 team members).


• Leads the accounting department’s assessment of contingency plans for the unit, adequacy of resources, allocation of responsibilities of the team, periodic reviews of resources’ performance results and recruiting.


• Liaises and supports the work of other areas of the Finance Organization, including Investor Relations, Financial Planning and Analysis, Treasury, Internal Controls over Financial Reporting, and Corporate Taxes in matters requiring technical accounting and understanding effects on operations.


• Collaborates with other departments and team members, especially during quarterly and year-end processes, to ensure timely compliance with deadlines.


• Maintains ongoing communication with the Financial Budgeting & Profitability unit for assessments of variances versus budgets and forecasts.


• Evaluates, researches and implements enhancements to processes for operational efficiencies while ensuring compliance with Company and regulatory requirements.

Corporate-Related Activities

• Supports potential transactional activities, such as Mergers and Acquisitions and capital transactions, including financial due diligence processes, valuations, purchase price allocations, among other activities.


• Interviews candidates for employment and provides direct feedback in the selection process, provides training for new hires, conduct performance appraisals and counseling sessions as necessary and make recommendations on promotions and terminations.


• Identifies, evaluates, monitors and makes any recommendations deemed necessary to the Chief Accounting Officer and Chief Financial Officer in order to assess, reduce, eliminate or control any current or prospective risks to earnings or capital arising from violations of, or nonconformance with, laws, rules regulations, prescribed practices, internal policies and procedures or ethical standards.


• Ensures preventive measures are carried out to fully comply with current rules, regulations and internal policies relating to risks pertaining to BSA, USA Patriot Act, OFAC and other AML related issues.

Minimum Education and/or Certifications Requirements:

• Bachelor's or Master’s degree in accounting


• Advanced degree in finance, business administration, or a related field is preferred.


• Professional certifications (e.g. Certified Public Accountant or relevant equivalent professional certifications) are required. Other valid professional certifications such as CGMA are desired.

Minimum Work Experience Requirements:

• Must have over 12 years of individual or combined public accounting and corporate/industry experience, with experience in the banking and securities industry.


• A minimum of 7 years in supervisory/management positions is required, with direct involvement in the design and implementation of internal controls over accounting processes, banking accounting and regulatory processes.


• Knowledge of tax accounting and regulations with advanced knowledge of State and Federal Rules and Regulations.

Technical and/or Other Essential Knowledge:



Managerial experience required. Ability and experience in directing and supervising the work of experienced managers and staff. Must have advanced technical research, analytical, oral and written communication skills. Previous experience is desired with MS Office Skills, including advance MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, MS Project and MS Visio required. Prior experience implementing and/or using Leasequery, SAP Concur, TPG, Loan Vision, is highly desirable; previous experience using FIS Integrated Banking Solution (IBS), Data Intelligence Manager (DIM) and Peoplesoft is strongly desired. Advance data management skills are highly desirable. Strong organizational skills, preferably with ability to communicate in professionally in English and Spanish. Apply Now