Assistant Controller

Honolulu Academy of Arts • Honolulu, HI

34d • $90,000 - $95,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Under the direction of the Controller, the Assistant Controller helps lead the day-to-day accounting operations of the Honolulu Museum of Art. This role is responsible for strengthening the accuracy, timeliness, and integrity of the Museum’s financial processes and reporting, while providing direct leadership to the accounting team.

The Assistant Controller serves as a key second-level reviewer across core accounting functions, supports completion of the monthly close, helps finalize internal and external financial reporting, coordinates audit preparation, and enhances policies, standard operating procedures, and internal controls. The position also provides backup and oversight for payroll and other higher-risk accounting activities while supporting departmental succession, cross-training, and continuous improvement.

Opened in 1927, the Honolulu Museum of Art is a home for art and education created for the benefit of the entire community. Founder Anna Rice Cooke envisioned a museum that would bring people together through the power of art and “the deep intuitions that are common to all.” The museum was conceived of as a place of meaningful exchange and dialogue, celebrating the diverse artistic and cultural traditions of Hawai‘i’s multi-ethnic population. From this founding intention grew the museum of today, with a world-class encyclopedic collection of more than 55,000 works of art, representing a stunning breadth of places and eras, from all corners of the globe and from the ancient past to the present day.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting from an accredited university and five years of comprehensive accounting experience.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP, internal controls, and financial close processes.
• Experience supervising staff and formally reviewing the work of other accounting team members.
• Demonstrated experience preparing or reviewing reconciliations, schedules, and financial reports.
• Experience reviewing and refining accounting procedures, internal controls, and reporting processes.
• Understanding of payroll processing and knowledge of state and federal payroll regulations.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office.
• Familiarity with a variety of software solutions such as Blackbaud Financial Edge and ADP Workforce Now, and the ability to quickly learn new technologies.
• Strong analytical, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines, maintain confidentiality, and work cross-departmentally.
• Honesty, integrity, and a strong work ethic supported by commitment, enthusiasm, and follow-through.
• Ability to work within and support a diverse community of visitors, artists, and employees.

Nice To Haves

• CPA or progress toward CPA.
• Nonprofit accounting experience, including donor-restricted and endowment funds.
• Experience with audit preparation and financial statement support.
• Experience with Tessitura CRM or other Enterprise CRM Software.
• Experience supporting budgeting, forecasting, or board-level reporting.

Responsibilities

• Oversees day-to-day accounting operations in partnership with the Controller.
• Provides direct leadership, guidance, and quality control for accounting staff.
• Helps manage the monthly and year-end close processes to ensure timely, accurate completion.
• Reviews and approves journal entries, reconciliations, schedules, and other accounting work prepared by staff.
• Finalizes review of balance sheet reconciliations and close-related workpapers before Controller review.
• Supports accurate accounting for cash, receivables, payables, credit cards, deposits, and other core transactions
• Assists in preparing monthly financial statements, internal management reports, dashboards, and other decision-support materials.
• Helps prepare board reporting materials and supporting schedules for review by the Controller and CFO.
• Supports restricted fund, endowment, and other internal/external reporting needs.
• Ensures reporting is accurate, well-supported, and aligned with internal deadlines and external requirements.
• Provides secondary review and oversight of payroll processing and related controls.
• Serves as a backup reviewer for payroll to help maintain a strong multi-level review process and reduce legal, reputational, and financial risk.
• Maintains and strengthens accounting policies, procedures, and standard operating procedures.
• Evaluates, documents, and improves internal controls across accounting workflows and compliance-sensitive processes.
• Coordinates audit preparation, including schedules, reconciliations, supporting documentation, and auditor requests.
• Supports year-end reporting and other external compliance requirements.
• Assists with endowment-related reporting and fund release tracking as assigned.
• Partners with the Controller on stewardship, documentation, and finance-process readiness for audits and other reviews.
• Trains, mentors, and develops accounting staff to build depth, continuity, and succession within the department.
• Promotes accountability, service orientation, collaboration, and continuous improvement across the Finance team.
• Identifies and implements workflow, systems, and reporting improvements that increase efficiency, strengthen controls, and reduce overreliance on overtime or temporary support.
• Partners with the Controller and CFO on budgeting, forecasting, planning, and other strategic finance initiatives as needed.
• Demonstrates a commitment to fostering cultivating, and preserving a culture of inclusivity, diversity, equity, and accessibility through respectful communication and cooperation with others, continuous training, and the modeling of inclusive behaviors.
• In partnership with HR, supports the leadership team in ensuring equitable experiences, strengthening inclusion acumen and promoting a culture of belonging that embraces the contributions of all staff.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Fully covered medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees.
• 12 paid holidays.
• 15 days of vacation accrued in the 1st year, increasing to 20 days in the 2nd year.
• 15 days of sick leave accrued annually.
• Group retirement plans with employer matching after 12 months of service.
• Shop, Museum Café, and Art School discounts.
• Onsite parking provided.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level