Controller - Lion Country Safari, Inc.

Lion Country Safari is currently accepting applications for a Full-Time Controller in our Finance department. The Controller is responsible for all accounting functions involving the general ledger, the production of monthly financial statements and preparation for annual audit by outside accounting firms and working with outside tax accountants and various auditors.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Reconcile all bank accounts on a monthly basis. Provide oversight and assure balances with GL. Review reconciliations and assist as necessary.
• Record all journal entries, including accruals, according to standard accounting procedures and in accordance with GAAP.
• Responsible for the integrity of the general ledger ensuring that accounts are correct and consistent including monthly reconciliation of all balance sheet accounts.
• Prepare and maintain a monthly binder for reporting.
• Maintain sub ledgers as appropriate and assure balances with GL.
• Produce computer generated financial reports by entering data.
• Create spreadsheets to generate comparative reports on an annual basis for the RVP.
• Provide Management with a cash activity report weekly, and an actual payroll to budget comparison report bi-weekly.
• Reconcile daily sales reports and charge slips with bank deposits.
• Oversee and manage daily activities in the department, including cash control and cashiers. Prepare schedules and work-papers as required by outside auditors on an annual basis or as needed, including cash flow, asset and depreciation roll forward.
• Compute report and pay sales taxes as required.
• Compute report and pay tourist taxes as required.
• Oversee accounts payable, payroll and cash receipts to ensure that postings to G/L are correct as well as the accuracy of GL account numbers.
• Work with management to ensure appropriate internal control systems are in place.
• Monitor internal control systems and report problems and/corrections to management.
• Assist with implementation of internal control system.
• For monthly closing and annual audit file information, work papers, ledgers, reports etc. so that they can be retrieved when necessary.
• Maintain asset management reports and depreciation schedules.
• Generate internal and external accounting and financial reports as assigned by management. yes
• Research variances, accounts, postings, and mis postings to accounts to ensure appropriate classification.
• Investigate, reconcile, and resolve credit card billing issues and disputed charges.
• Report unclaimed property to Florida Department of Financial Services.
• Reconcile A/R from credit card processors.
• Record tax-exempt transactions by month.
• Reconcile sub ledgers to general ledger as appropriate, but at least monthly as part of monthly close.
• Supervise the entry of all sales data by the staff accountant.
• Reconcile the payroll accounts.
• Compute and enter all transfers from inventories, accruing sales tax as appropriate and write off damaged goods.
• Enter all manual checks, wires, and the like into the system.
• Record barter transactions and applicable sales taxes by month.
• Prepare workers compensation self-audit reports and other workers comp reports as required as well as other insurance audits as required.
• Maintain inventory balances in accordance with information provided.
• Accrue anticipated ATM income and reconcile.
• Maintain general insurance schedules to appropriately expense premiums.
• Maintain unearned annual pass income computation.
• Maintain records of unredeemed tickets and third-party ticket sellers.
• Reconcile computer and manual accrued accounts payable to general ledger yes.
• Other duties from time to time assigned by management.

Education and Experience

• Minimum 4-year college with major in accounting or business.
• Understanding of double entry bookkeeping, accruals, bank reconciliations, computerized accounting systems, spread sheets, payroll, internal control systems, fixed assets, depreciation and related accounting and financial issues.
• Be familiar with asset tracking and depreciation software.
• Be familiar with sales tax filing software.
• CPA a plus.
• Knowledge of GAAP
• Must have knowledge of accounting practices.
• Detail oriented.
• Good written and spoken communication skills.
• Excellent time management skills.
• Must be able to work some weekends and holidays.
• Must be proficient in Office 365, Outlook, Word, and Excel.
• Valid FL Driver’s License.

BENEFITS

• Insurance available (medical, dental, and life)
• 401(k)
• Paid time off
• Performance based increase and review after first 90 days

EMPLOYEE PERKS

• 40% off food and beverage
• 30% off all retail shops
• Free tickets to Lion Country Safari
• Free tickets to attractions through Florida and discounts for family members
• Free uniforms

MISSION STATEMENT

Be a leader in animal care, conservation, and education to inspire people through connections with wildlife in a fun, family-friendly environment.

ABOUT LION COUNTRY SAFARI

Lion Country Safari-Florida opened in 1967, in rural Western Palm Beach County as the first drive-through safari park in the country and introduced a new concept to animal lovers, “The Cageless Zoo.” Lion Country Safari was originally developed by a group of entrepreneurs who wanted to bring the experience of an African game park, then and now, an expensive and time-consuming trip, to families who would otherwise not be able to experience an African safari. Today, Lion Country Safari is home to over 900 animals in drive-through preserve and Safari World habitats. Among the more notable species on display at the park are lions, white rhino, chimpanzees, zebra, and giraffe. Safari World, the walk-through area of the park, has been developed and improved since the park initially opened. The restaurant and gift shops were among the earlier additions, with many of the habitats, attractions and interactive experiences added later over the years to enhance the visitors’ experience at the park. The KOA Campground was opened in the 1980's to provide overnight accommodation for visitors. In its 57th year of operation, Lion Country Safari-Florida is one of South Florida’s leading attractions and Palm Beach County’s largest tourist attraction. Hundreds of thousands of people visit Lion Country Safari every year to experience the thrill of eye-ball-to-eye-ball viewing of magnificent animals in a natural open environment.

DFWP/EOE