Accounting, Controller

Controller

Norton Simon Museum

Location: Pasadena, California
Department: Accounting
Status: Full-Time, Exempt
Reports To: Chief Financial Officer
Hiring Pay Scale: $155,000–$175,000 per year
Schedule: On-site, 9:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.

 

About the Norton Simon Museum

 

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 located 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.

 

About the Role

 

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.

 

Primary Responsibilities

 

• Assist the Chief Financial Officer in all accounting, financial information systems, and designated investment functions.

• Help develop and ensure compliance with accounting procedures and internal controls.

• Serve as liaison with staff, vendors, and financial institutions in most accounting and financial matters.

• Develop and maintain the chart of accounts.

• Draft annual budgets; prepare monthly reports comparing approved budgets to actual results; and explain significant variances.

• Assess existing finance technology and develop multiyear systems roadmaps.

• Lead user training and change management, translating technical system changes into efficient workflows for accounting and non-accounting employees.

• Develop standardized procedures and documentation to maintain and improve efficiency, data quality, reporting consistency, and institutional knowledge.

• Oversee and upgrade/integrate the FileMaker Pro Purchase Order/Contracts/Check Request and Sage Financial Management systems, and interact with IT professionals to implement system changes and maintain accuracy of financial and budget information for all staff.

• Administer Accounting Department budgets.

• Oversee annual audits, including correspondence, workpapers, and report drafts.

• Serve as liaison with investment management firms and the investment custodian for account setup, transaction processing, and reporting; help implement approved investment actions, including investment trades and cash transfers; and assist with asset allocation oversight upon request by the CFO.

• Supervise three accounting staff members and oversee monthly financial statement preparation, accounts receivable, and accounts payable.

• Process online banking transactions, including review of wire and ACH transfers.

• Assist in preparing workpapers for tax filings, including Forms 990, 990-PF, 571-L, and related filings.

• Oversee merchant accounts.

• Execute special projects upon request.

 

Qualifications

 

• Excellent judgment, strong organizational skills, 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 required.

• Financial information systems upgrade and implementation project management experience is required.

• Familiarity with Sage Intacct and FileMaker Pro is a plus.

• Minimum of eight years of 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.

 

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 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

 

Compensation & Benefits

 

• Competitive salary of $155,000–$175,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

• Benefits package includes: 1) medical, dental, vision, and life insurance; 2) retirement savings program, including an employer-funded defined contribution plan and 403(b) plan; and 3) vacation accrual starting at 15 days per year.

• Employees also receive free parking, free admission to the Museum, and discounts in the Museum store and café.

 

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

 

The Norton Simon Entities provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. The Norton Simon Entities do not unlawfully discriminate or tolerate harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, reproductive health decision making, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender—including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions—gender identity, gender expression, age (forty years of age and over), sexual orientation, military and veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law, ordinance, or regulation.

 

The Norton Simon Entities make reasonable accommodations for disabled applicants and employees and for religious observances and practices. This policy applies to all areas of employment, including, but not limited to, recruitment, hiring, termination, training, promotion, compensation, benefits, transfer, and social and recreational programs.

 

The Norton Simon Entities are committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of diversity and inclusion in its workforce.

 

The Norton Simon Entities are composed of the Norton Simon Museum of Art at Pasadena and the Norton Simon Art Foundation. Employment may be with either or both of these entities.

 

How to Apply

 

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

Controller_resume@nortonsimon.org

 

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

 

The interview process is conducted in person.

 

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

 

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