Staff Accountant

Organization

Established in 1948 by artists, the Asheville Art Museum engages, enlightens, and inspires individuals and enriches the community through dynamic experiences developed for all ages that interpret its Collection and exhibitions of American art of the 20th and 21st centuries. Anchoring the center of lively downtown Asheville in the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Museum serves residents of the Southeast and Western North Carolina, as well as visitors from around the country and the world. The Asheville Art Museum holds accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums and received the National Medal for Museum and Library Service.

Position Summary

The Staff Accountant serves as the Museum’s sole accounting professional and is responsible for the full cycle of financial operations. Working closely with leadership and in partnership with all departments, this role oversees accounting, budgeting, financial reporting, payroll, compliance, audit coordination, and grant financial tracking. This position requires a high degree of independence, sound judgment, and the ability to balance detailed transactional work with broader financial planning and analysis. This is a department of one role requiring comfort working independently, managing competing priorities, and maintaining accurate, timely financial operations across the organization.

Primary Responsibilities/Essential Functions:

Accounting Operations

• Process daily deposits, accounts payable, credit card transactions, and other routine accounting activities
• Accurately record daily transactions in QuickBooks Online
• Maintain complete and accurate financial records in accordance with nonprofit accounting standards
• Track revenues and expenditures by department, program, and funding source, including grants where applicable
• Review purchase requests against the board-approved budget to support appropriate spending practices

Payroll, Tax, and Compliance

• In partnership with Human Resources, review employee time records and process semi-monthly payroll and contractor payments
• Prepare and file required federal, state, and local tax reports and payments
• Calculate, prepare, and file monthly sales tax reports and payments
• Track sales tax paid and file for reimbursement twice annually

Reconciliations and Reporting

• Reconcile monthly bank, credit card, and investment accounts
• Track endowment activity, including contributions, earnings, and fees
• Prepare and present bimonthly financial statements for staff and Trustees, including budget-to-actual and year-over-year comparisons
• Communicate financial information clearly to staff, leadership, Trustees, auditors, and external partners

Budgeting, Audit, and Grants

• Lead the annual budget process, including preparation, mid-year analysis, and revisions
• Coordinate with staff to develop departmental budgets and financial goals
• Manage the annual audit process and serve as the primary contact for outside auditors
• Coordinate annual tax return preparation with the Museum’s external tax firm
• Support grant and sponsorship planning by preparing budgets, tracking expenditures, and completing financial reports and budget justifications as needed
• Support Finance and Audit Committee work by preparing reports and analysis for leadership, the Treasurer, and Trustees

Special Requirements & Compensation

This in-person, year-round, full-time position with full benefits may, at times, require a flexible schedule to accommodate events and after-hours work.

This position operates in a professional office environment and requires extended periods of computer use, including typing and viewing a monitor. The role involves prolonged sitting, with occasional standing and walking, and light lifting up to 15 pounds. Effective communication is essential. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Valid driver’s license and ability to travel locally for Museum business as needed.

Annual salary range: $55,000 to $58,000, commensurate with experience, plus paid time off, health, dental, life insurance, and retirement benefits after the required introductory period.

Education & Experience

• The ideal candidate is a detail-oriented accounting professional with strong analytical skills, sound judgment, and the ability to manage a broad range of financial responsibilities independently.
• 3 to 5 years of accounting experience required, including full-cycle accounting responsibilities
• Nonprofit accounting experience preferred
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field preferred
• Experience developing and maintaining budgets
• Experience with QuickBooks Online, Excel spreadsheets, charts, and financial reporting
• Experience processing payroll and associated tax filings
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present financial information clearly to a variety of audiences
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple deadlines in a fast-paced, creative environment
• High standards of professional ethics, discretion, and integrity
• Ability to quickly understand organizational operations and translate that knowledge into effective financial support and reporting.

To apply, please send a resume, cover letter, and three professional references to careers@ashevilleart.org with "Staff Accountant" in the subject line.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Asheville Art Museum provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants. It prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type, regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.