Controller

Bishop Museum was founded in 1889 in honor of Bernice Pauahi Bishop, who was the great-granddaughter of King Kamehameha I, by her husband Charles Reed Bishop. Its original purpose was to house the royal family heirlooms of the Kamehameha and Kalakaua Dynasties. Having expanded its mission over the course of more than 130 years, the Museum now stewards over 25 million cultural treasures and biological specimens, each of which provides evidence and gives voice to the stories of Hawai‘i and the broader Pacific. These include cultural artifacts, archaeological materials, historical photographs, films, works of art, audio recordings, books, manuscripts, and more than 22 million specimens of plant and animal life across seven scientific areas of study. Today, Bishop Museum is the world’s premier museum for Hawai‘i and the Pacific, recognized internationally for its primary source materials. This “library of life” and archive of Oceania cultural heritage connects the people of this region to their ancestors and chronicles changes in Hawai‘i and the Pacific over time and, in so doing, builds a bridge between the past and the future. Bishop Museum is located in Honolulu, Hawai‘i.

Job Purpose

Responsible for oversight of the Accounting Department and financial systems throughout the organization, the Controller ensures the Museum’s business is conducted in compliance with all Federal, State and Local laws, regulations and statutes and in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). This position is intricately involved in daily financial activities, and provides training, guidance and mentorship to accounting staff and other museum staff responsible for financial matters. The Controller works closely with and supports Executives by monitoring all financial matters and providing financial reporting on a consistent basis. The Controller directly supervises the Director of Accounting and reports to: To be determined.

Additional Responsibility Job Purpose

Museum Safety Captains are responsible for maintaining records, rehearsing safety drills and practices, and coordinating department needs related to safety and security of both the personnel and collections in spaces they often occupy. As members of a cross-departmental team, Safety Captains help to keep the institution prepared for the variety of natural and human-impacted crises and circumstances that may affect our resources and visitors. Examples of situations that Safety Captains help to prepare for include medical emergencies, natural disasters, weather-resiliency, emergency evacuations, and secure-in-place events.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Directs, advises and appraises the management and performance of the Accounting Department through the department supervisor(s), whose responsibilities cover the following:
• a. Financial Reporting: General ledger, Federal and State grants reporting, tax reporting, management information
• b. Accounting Operations: Accounts receivable, accounts payable, purchasing and payroll.
• Approves all large cash disbursements within determined limits and reviews cash flow projections and cash needs analysis.
• Reviews all critical month-end and year-end general ledger reconciliations, as required.
• Manages information preparation for the annual audit and has direct oversight responsibility for all critical elements of the audit.
• Prepares and/or coordinates the preparation of all tax returns.
• Prepares financial forecasts and budgets, and analyzes financial performance against approved budgets.
• Interacts with other program and department managers and senior management to provide information and recommendation that involve financial decisions.
• Responsible for the functional proficiency of the accounting software. Works with the IT Department to oversee the functional proficiency of all Museum related software.
• Works with others on the periodic preparation of the organization’s Government Grant indirect cost rate calculation and the employee benefits rate.
• In coordination with the department supervisor(s), reviews and approves journal entries.
• Supports Financial Planning & Analysis tasks as needed.
• Performs other tasks as requested by Executive or Senior Management personnel.

Additional Responsibility Duties and Responsibilities

• Maintain Medical and Emergency supply kits by checking assigned supply statuses quarterly.
• Inspect evacuation bags and update rosters quarterly.
• Update Emergency policies and procedures in Museum Handbooks within your unit when they change.
• Facilitate accurate hazardous materials documentation practices within your unit.
• Communicate policies and procedures between Safety Committee and colleagues. Represent safety updates or take issues back from department meetings.
• Co-facilitate evacuation drills and tabletop exercises to help prepare unit for multiple emergency scenarios.
• Train and refresh staff in your zone on emergency procedures, evacuation routes, fire extinguisher locations, fire alarm pull handles.
• Designate backups for safety issues in your absence.
• Report unsafe and/or unsecure situations and/or be prepared to address certain situations individually, as appropriate (example: calling for security backup if a visitor seems to be of concern).
• In times of emergency, know your role and serve as a point person for that role.

Qualifications

• 3 – 5 years progressively responsible experience in accounting. Demonstrated knowledge of accounting and financial reporting concepts and terminology, with particular focus on general ledger knowledge. High degree of knowledge and successful application of accounting principles, practices and procedures on manual and automated systems.
• Demonstrated commitment to quality assurance and controls, abiding with all regulations, policies, procedures and instructions
• Ability to work effectively and adapt in an environment of change
• Demonstrated ability to direct and supervise staff
• Prefer prior experience working in a non-profit environment with an understanding of Government grant compliance and accounting

• CPA certificate and Bachelors in Accounting preferred

Additional Responsibility Qualifications

• Organized
• Situational Awareness
• Current on Museum required safety trainings

Other Requirements

• Excellent Excel and Microsoft Word skills
• Excellent oral and written communication skills; and project management skills
• Good organizational skills, ability to multi-task, prioritize work and manage time efficiently to meet multiple deadlines
• Good interpersonal skills; ability to work effectively with a diverse group of people professionally and express, communicate and interpret ideas clearly to others
• Ability to work independently in a team environment
• Good analytical skills; ability to recognize/comprehend, interpret, and translate large numbers, as required

Direct Reports

Accounting Department Staff: Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Purchasing, Payroll, Accounting Supervisor

Working Conditions

Typical office environment. Occasional evening events that occur outdoors.

Job Type: Full-time