Assistant Controller

Job Summary:

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.

The Honolulu Museum of Art:

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.

To learn more about HoMA, please visit our website.

Minimum Qualifications

• 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.

Desired Qualifications

• 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.

Essential Duties

• Accounting Operations and Close
  • 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
• Financial Reporting
  • 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.
• Payroll, Compliance, and Internal Controls
  • 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.
• Audit and Stewardship
  • 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.
• Leadership and Process Improvement
  • 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.

Compensation

The Honolulu Museum of Art is committed to practicing salary transparency. The range for this position is $90,000 per annum to $95,000 per annum. Please note that pay range information is a general guideline only. Many factors are taken into consideration when setting pay, including education, experience, the external labor market, and internal equity.

This opportunity includes a generous benefits package, including but not limited to:

• 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.

Working Conditions and Atmosphere:

Work takes place in an office environment. General office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with flexible scheduling as appropriate. Ability to operate general office equipment including computers, copiers, printers, etc. Ability to lift, carry, push, pull, up to 25 pounds of general office material or equipment. Ability to work some evening and weekend hours.

The employee must be able to fulfill all Essential Duties with or without a reasonable accommodation. This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of all activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned, at any time with or without notice.

EEOC Statement:

HoMA is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing equal opportunity for all employees and applicants. HoMA recruits, hires, trains, promotes, compensates, and administers all personnel actions and benefit programs without regard to race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, including pregnancy and gender identity and expression, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, reproductive health decisions, marital status, arrest and court record (except as legally applicable), citizenship, credit history, military and veteran service, victim of domestic violence or sexual abuse victim status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

The statements contained herein describe the scope of the responsibilities and essential functions of this position but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work duties and requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other areas to cover absences or relief to equalize peak work periods or otherwise balance the workload.

HoMA maintains a policy of nondiscrimination in all employment practices and decisions, ensuring equal employment opportunities for all qualified individuals. This applies to both HoMA employees and applicants for employment with the Museum. Any form of harassment of any employee because of any protected status is prohibited.

HoMA welcomes people from all backgrounds and walks of life, and this is reflected in our diverse community of employees. We encourage applications from candidates across a wide variety of backgrounds, including, but not limited to, people of all races and ethnicities, people with disabilities, women, veterans, and all members of the LGBTQ community.

Salary : $90,000 - $95,000