Controller

Controller Position at San José Museum of Art

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.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Command the General Ledger: Maintain the general ledger in accordance with GAAP, ensuring precise, accurate coding of revenue and expenses by department, program, and funding source.
• Run Daily Financial Operations: Oversee and take ownership of all financial activities, including grants, contributions, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and payroll.
• Drive Month-End & Reconciliations: 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.
• Champion Process Improvement: Treat the accounting operations as your own domain by applying a continuous process improvement mindset, offering strategic recommendations to leverage technology, improve efficiency, and implement new processes where appropriate.
• Manage Complex Funding: 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.
• Oversee Payroll & Benefits: 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.
• Lead Reporting & Audits: 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).

Qualifications: To successfully run this department, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty from a satisfactory to an outstanding level. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience: 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.

Certifications: CPA Certification preferred.

Computer Skills: Advanced knowledge of financial systems and databases is required, with MIP/Abila/Sage Intacct experience strongly preferred. Proficiency in Altru, Microsoft Office suite (especially Excel), and SharePoint is also expected.

Language Skills: Ability to read and write, and 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.

Mathematical Skills: Advanced accounting knowledge. Financial literacy to confidently create, interpret, and drive budgets, forecasts, and reports.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk and/or hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.

Work Environment: This job operates in a professional office environment with the possibility of a hybrid WFH schedule. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, and fax machines.

Other: 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.

SJMA conducts pre-employment, post-offer background checks in accordance with state and federal law.

SJMA is actively seeking individuals from diverse backgrounds. We deeply appreciate cultural, racial, and ethnic diversity, as well as different gender expressions and abilities. We encourage BIPOC, LGBTQ+, bilingual or multilingual candidates, and individuals with disabilities to apply. As an equal opportunity employer, we at SJMA highly esteem the diversity of individuals and the multitude of ideas, perspectives, insights, and values they contribute to our workplace.

Due to the high volume of interest, regrettably, we cannot respond to individual applicants. If you are selected as a potential candidate, SJMA will contact you to schedule an interview. No phone calls, please.

Salary Range: $75K to $85K