Description

Norton Simon Museum

Accounting

Controller

The Norton Simon Museum is known around the world as one of the most remarkable private art collections ever assembled. Over a thirty-year period, industrialist Norton Simon (1907–1993) amassed an exquisite collection of European art from the Renaissance to the 20th century and South and Southeast Asian art spanning 2,000 years. Approximately 1,000 works from the permanent collection of 12,000 objects are on view in the Norton Simon Museum’s galleries and sculpture garden throughout the year.

The Museum is in beautiful Pasadena, California, just steps from the bustling Old Pasadena district known for its shops and restaurants, and adjacent to the vibrant neighborhoods of northeast Los Angeles, Glendale and South Pasadena. Easily accessible by public transportation, the Museum also offers its employees free parking, as well as free admission to the Museum anytime, and discounts in the store and café. Full-time employees can expect excellent benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance and a generous retirement savings program.

Summary

Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, this full-time exempt position helps oversee all accounting, financial information systems, and designated investment functions for the Norton Simon entities (the Museum and two foundations).

Requirements

Qualifications

Position requires excellent judgment, should be organized with extreme attention to detail, ability to maintain a high degree of discretion, strong supervisory skills, excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and financial information systems expertise. Proficiency in Excel is a must, financial information systems upgrades/implementation project management experience required, and familiarity with Sage Intacct and File-Maker-Pro is a plus. Minimum of eight years experience in accounting or finance and staff supervision, with a public accounting background preferred; Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance is required; CPA or MBA preferred; nonprofit, museum, and private foundation experience is a plus. 

Job Responsibilities

Assists the Chief Financial Officer in all accounting, financial information systems, and designated investment functions
Helps develop and ensure compliance with accounting procedures and internal controls 
Liaison with staff, vendors, and financial institutions in most accounting/financial matters
Develops and maintains chart of accounts 
Drafts annual budgets; prepares monthly reports comparing approved budgets to actual results; explains significant variances
Assesses existing finance technology and develops multiyear systems roadmaps.
Leads user training and change management, translating technical system changes into efficient workflows for accounting and non-accounting employees.
Develops standardized procedures and documentation to maintain and improve efficiency, data quality, reporting consistency and institutional knowledge.
Oversees and upgrades/integrates the File-Maker-Pro Purchase Order / Contracts / Check Request and Sage Financial Management systems, and interacts with IT professionals to implement system changes and maintain accuracy of financial and budget information  for all staff
Administers accounting department budgets
Oversees annual audits (including correspondence, workpapers, and report drafts)
Liaison with investment management firms and investment custodian (account setup, transaction processing, and reporting); helps implement approved investment actions (e.g., investment trades and cash transfers); assists with asset allocation oversight (upon request by the CFO)
Supervises three accounting staff members. Oversees monthly financial statement preparation, accounts receivable, and accounts payable
Processes online banking transactions, including review of wire and ACH transfer
Assists in preparing workpapers for tax filings (990, 990-PF’s, 571-L’s, etc.)
Oversees merchant accounts 
Executes special projects upon request
 

Physical Requirements

This position requires some moderate lifting, stretching, reaching, and bending.

Schedule 

This is a full-time, exempt position scheduled to work on-site from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm.

Compensation

Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience, and includes excellent benefits, including medical, dental, vision and life insurance and a generous retirement savings program.

Interested applicants should submit a cover letter, resume and the names of at least two references attention to:

Controller_resume@nortonsimon.org 

All interested applicants are requested to provide their expected earnings; resumes without expected earnings will not be reviewed.

Interview process is conducted in person.

No phone calls. Due to volume of resumes received, we will not be able to acknowledge receipt of resumes. 

Employment is contingent upon proof of legal status to work in the United States.