Controller

Job Description

Job Description

At AmaWaterways, we believe meaningful careers begin with purpose, passion and a shared commitment to delivering unforgettable experiences. For those who value curiosity, connection and personal enrichment, AmaWaterways offers the opportunity to help craft meaningful river journeys that invite travelers to follow their own current. Built on a foundation of heartfelt hospitality, we treat our guests—and each other—with genuine care, warmth and respect. AmaWaterways fosters a collaborative environment both onboard our ships and across our global network of offices, where team members grow together, support one another and take pride in upholding the high standards and thoughtful service our company is known for.

We invite talented, motivated professionals to explore our career opportunities and begin their journey with AmaWaterways today.

Position Summary

The Controller leads AmaWaterways' accounting and financial reporting organization, ensuring accurate, timely and compliant financial results across the company's U.S., European and offshore operations. This permanent leadership role owns the close and reporting process, accounting policy and the control environment, and serves as a trusted partner to the CFO, auditors, lenders and the executive team as the finance function matures. This role operates with imperfect information and helps the team quickly identify and implement the changes needed to produce quality, decision-useful financial results and reporting.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the monthly, quarterly and annual close, setting a disciplined close calendar and driving continuous improvement in speed and accuracy
• Lead consolidated financial reporting across entities and currencies under both US GAAP and IFRS, including management, lender, board and audit reporting
• Design, implement and maintain accounting policies, procedures and internal controls; ensure compliance with US GAAP, IFRS and applicable statutory requirements
• Lead the transition from an entrepreneurial style to a well-controlled environment through risk-based control design, implementation and monitoring
• Lead and develop the accounting organization, including revenue, cost and capital accounting, financial reporting, accounts payable and offshore teams
• Oversee accounting for guest deposits, cruise revenue, travel advisor commissions, ship operations and related balance sheet accounts
• Direct the review of complex or non-routine transactions such as leases, charters, debt and ship capital projects
• Manage the relationship with external auditors and coordinate audit preparation, requests and remediation
• Partner with Tax, Treasury and FP&A to ensure alignment between planning, cash, tax and reported results
• Assess the accounting team's capacity and structure; build the processes, tools and automation, including AI-enabling processes, needed to reduce manual work
• Provide clear financial insight and recommendations to the CFO and senior leadership
• Identify and help implement the changes needed to deliver quality, decision-useful financial results and reporting

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance; CPA required
• 10+ years of progressive accounting experience, including 5+ years leading teams
• US GAAP and IFRS reporting experience required, as AmaWaterways reports under both
• Deep understanding of accounting in a multi-currency environment required
• Strong understanding of process and internal controls, with experience designing and implementing them and the ability to lead the transition from an entrepreneurial style to a well-controlled environment (SOX 404 compliance is not required)
• Demonstrated experience running a close and managing an external audit
• Hands-on NetSuite experience required; proficiency with consolidation tools and advanced Excel
• Experience improving processes and implementing systems or automation
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence senior stakeholders
• Experience with international operations preferred
• Public accounting experience preferred; travel, hospitality or consumer-facing experience is a plus
• Interest in and practical experience with AI enablement, with the ability to apply AI-enabled tools and processes to improve how finance work gets done
• Comfortable operating with imperfect information and exercising sound judgment to keep moving while data quality improves
• High-energy, self-driven and collaborative, with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, growing company with private equity-style expectations for pace, accountability and results

Core Competencies for Success

Business Acumen

Understands the broader business impact of decisions; considers financial, market, and operational implications; aligns work with strategic priorities.

Analytical Thinking

Synthesizes complex information; leverages data, experience, and sound judgment to design practical and effective solutions.

Strategic Thinking

Anticipates trends and opportunities; adapts strategies as conditions change; balances near-term execution with long-term growth.

Collaboration & Teamwork

Partners effectively across teams and functions; values diverse viewpoints; builds trust; advances shared goals and collective success.

Leadership & Influence

Inspires and motivates others; communicates a clear direction; provides meaningful feedback; leads with confidence, empathy, and accountability.

Quality & Accountability

Delivers accurate, thoughtful work; applies feedback to improve outcomes; maintains high standards while balancing effici