Controller
About The Position
Reporting directly to the CFO, the Controller is the financial anchor of the San José Museum of Art. We are looking for a proactive, highly autonomous leader to take full ownership of the finance function, maintaining the absolute integrity of our financial records and driving accurate, timely reporting. This role is designed for someone who thrives on running the show—comfortably working independently, seamlessly managing competing priorities, and ensuring our financial operations run efficiently across the entire organization. You will command core accounting functions, from month-end close and complex financial analysis to payroll processing, all while strictly adhering to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and nonprofit accounting standards.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree from a four-year college or university, and three to five years of related accounting/finance experience and/or training or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Advanced knowledge of financial systems and databases is required.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite (especially Excel), and SharePoint is also expected.
- Ability to read and write.
- Ability to communicate clearly both verbally and in writing with all levels of the organization.
- Ability to successfully translate complex data into routine reports and correspondence.
- Advanced accounting knowledge.
- Financial literacy to confidently create, interpret, and drive budgets, forecasts, and reports.
- Must be able to perform each essential duty from a satisfactory to an outstanding level.
- Can be depended upon to report consistently to work at scheduled time and is seldom absent from work.
- Notifies supervisor with appropriate notice when absent.
- Follows instructions, responds to management direction, takes responsibility for own actions, and keeps commitments.
Nice To Haves
- CPA Certification preferred.
- MIP/Abila/Sage Intacct experience strongly preferred.
- Altru experience preferred.
Responsibilities
- Maintain the general ledger in accordance with GAAP, ensuring precise, accurate coding of revenue and expenses by department, program, and funding source.
- Oversee and take ownership of all financial activities, including grants, contributions, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and payroll.
- Lead the month-end close processes, perform balance sheet reconciliations for cash, fixed assets, prepaids, deferred revenue, and accrued liabilities, and prepare complex journal entries to accurately capture endowment investment activities.
- Apply a continuous process improvement mindset to accounting operations, offering strategic recommendations to leverage technology, improve efficiency, and implement new processes where appropriate.
- Take charge of temporarily and permanently restricted gifts and endowments, guaranteeing proper classification, tracking, and reporting in accordance with donor restrictions and applicable accounting standards.
- Command the semi-monthly payroll process (or seamlessly coordinate it), maintain personnel financial records, and manage employee benefit program reconciliations to ensure total accuracy and compliance.
- Prepare monthly, quarterly, and year-end financial statements for management and the board of trustees. Act as the primary lead and support for annual audits, grantor reporting, and tax filing preparation (e.g., Form 990).
Benefits
- Possibility of a hybrid WFH schedule.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
