Accounting Manager

Museum of Contemporary Art Denver; Denver (CO); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

403(b) retirement plan matching

Job summary

The Accounting Manager at MCA Denver oversees day‑to‑day accounting operations, including accounts payable and receivable, reconciliations, monthly close, and donor revenue tracking. This hands‑on role works with the COO on budgeting, forecasting, audits, and regulatory compliance, providing timely financial reporting for decision making.

Ideal candidates have nonprofit accounting experience or a strong willingness to learn nonprofit standards, with at least five years in accounting and a

Qualifications

• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible accounting or finance experience.
• Nonprofit accounting, grant management, fund accounting, and restricted-fund reporting experience strongly preferred.
• Ability to learn nonprofit financial reporting standards and donor restrictions.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day accounting operations including AP, AR, general ledger, journal entries, and financial recordkeeping.
• Own the monthly close process with reconciliations, accruals, and timely financial statements.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, audits, and regulatory reporting in collaboration with the COO.
• Coordinate with departments to ensure accurate coding, reporting, and adherence to procedures.
• Maintain donor and funder accounting, grant reporting, and restricted/unrestricted fund records.

Skills

Accounting

Education

CPA or equivalent

Job description

The Accounting Manager oversees MCA Denver’s day-to-day accounting operations, ensuring accurate financial records and supporting the Museum’s financial health and sustainability. This hands‑on role manages core accounting functions, including accounts payable and receivable, reconciliations, monthly close, cash flow, grant and restricted fund reporting, and donor revenue tracking.

Working closely with the COO, the Accounting Manager also supports budgeting, forecasting, audits, and regulatory compliance while providing financial analysis and reporting to inform organizational decisions. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, proactive, and collaborative, with strong accounting fundamentals, sound judgment, and the ability to balance daily operations with broader financial priorities. Nonprofit accounting experience is preferred, but a strong accounting professional willing to learn nonprofit financial management will be considered. This role requires a minimum of three days per week in the office.

Key Responsibilities

Priority 1: Accounting Operations and Financial Controls

• Manage day-to-day accounting operations, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, general ledger maintenance, journal entries, expense coding, and financial recordkeeping.
• Process vendor invoices, employee reimbursements, and payments accurately and on schedule; resolve discrepancies and maintain positive relationships with vendors.
• Manage invoicing, incoming payments, deposits, receivables, and outstanding balances; monitor aging reports and follow up on overdue payments as appropriate.
• Own the monthly close calendar and ensure reconciliations, journal entries, accruals, and supporting schedules are completed accurately and on time, with material discrepancies resolved or escalated promptly.
• Manage the monthly and annual financial close processes, including accruals, adjusting entries, supporting schedules, and preparation of accurate, timely financial statements.
• Perform monthly bank, credit card, balance sheet, and general ledger reconciliations, ensuring transactions are properly recorded and discrepancies are resolved promptly.
• Maintain and strengthen accounting policies, procedures, internal controls, and documentation to ensure accuracy, consistency, and compliance.
• Maintain organized, complete, and audit-ready financial records and supporting documentation.
• Prepare annual 1099 forms and support other required tax filings and regulatory reporting.
• Identify opportunities to improve accounting systems, workflows, reporting, and operational efficiency.
• Maintain reliable, up-to-date financial information that enables the COO to assess organizational performance, cash position, budget variances, and emerging financial risks.

Priority 2: Nonprofit Financial Management and Reporting

• Maintain accurate records of restricted and unrestricted funds, contributions, grants, and other revenue, ensuring transactions are recorded and funds are used in accordance with donor intent and applicable requirements.
• Manage grant accounting and financial reporting, including tracking grant budgets and expenditures, monitoring allowable costs and reporting deadlines, and preparing financial reports for funders.
• Maintain a grant reporting calendar and ensure financial reports, expenditure reconciliations, supporting documentation, and other required submissions are completed accurately and by established deadlines.
• Coordinate with program and department leaders to gather supporting documentation, monitor grant spending, and ensure grant-related financial obligations be met.
• Maintain schedules supporting restricted net assets, contributions, pledges, and other nonprofit accounting requirements.
• Partner with the donor database manager monthly to reconcile gifts, pledges, pledge payments, and contributed revenue between the accounting system and donor database.
• Manage donor and funder invoicing, payment tracking, pledge schedules, and related financial correspondence, providing timely and professional service to donors and internal stakeholders.
• Ensure donor invoices, pledge schedules, and payment records are accurate and current, and promptly communicate discrepancies or collection concerns to the appropriate staff.
• Support the accurate classification and recording of contributed revenue, earned revenue, program expenses, and other financial activity in accordance with applicable accounting standards.
• Develop and maintain an understanding of nonprofit accounting principles, including fund accounting, donor restrictions, and applicable Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) guidance.
• Support the preparation of financial reports and analysis for organizational leadership and the Board of Trustees, including the Finance and Audit Committees.

Priority 3: Cash Management, Budgeting, and Financial Analysis

• Own and maintain a rolling cash flow forecast incorporating anticipated contributions, grant receipts, receivables, payroll, payables, and other material cash obligations.
• Monitor daily cash balances and the timing of incoming and outgoing funds; follow up on outstanding receivables and proactively identify potential cash shortfalls or liquidity risks.
• Communicate cash flow risks, anticipated funding gaps, and recommended actions to the COO to support timely financial decision-making.
• Support the annual budgeting process, working with the COO and department leaders to gather information, prepare budget schedules, and ensure financial assumptions are accurately reflected.
• Prepare periodic budget-to-actual reports and variance analyses, identify material differences, and work with department leaders to understand and communicate variances.
• Assist with financial forecasting, scenario planning, and analysis of revenue, expenses, and operating performance.
• Maintain schedules and reporting related to endowment distributions, invested assets, and other financial resources in accordance with organizational policies and applicable restrictions.
• Identify trends, risks, and opportunities to improve financial performance, manage costs, and strengthen organizational sustainability.

Priority 4: Audit, Compliance, and Cross-Department Collaboration

• Coordinate the preparation of schedules, reconciliations, supporting documentation, and financial records for the annual financial statement audit.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for external auditors on routine accounting matters and respond to information requests in a timely and organized manner.
• Lead on audit preparation, financial reporting, compliance requirements, and implementation of audit recommendations.
• Coordinate with external partners and service providers, including banking partners, payroll providers, benefits administrators, retirement plan providers, insurance brokers, and other financial vendors as needed.
• Collaborate with colleagues across Development, Curatorial, Learning and Engagement, Visitor Experience, Events, and other departments to ensure accurate financial coding, timely reporting, and adherence to financial procedures.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, vendors, donors, and funders, handling financial questions and sensitive information with professionalism and discretion.
• Maintain and update accounting procedures, process documentation, and internal guidance to support continuity, transparency, and effective financial management.
• Contribute to the development and improvement of financial systems, reporting tools, and organizational processes.

Qualifications

• Education:CPA, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Degree in accounting, finance, or a related field preferred.

Experience

• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible accounting or finance experience.
• Demonstrated experience managing core accounting functions, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, general ledger accounting, reconciliations, and month-end close.
• Experience with budgeting, financial reporting, cash management, or financial analysis.
• Nonprofit accounting, grant management, fund accounting, and restricted-fund reporting experience strongly preferred.
• Candidates without direct nonprofit experience should demonstrate the ability and willingness to learn nonprofit accounting standards, donor restrictions, grant compliance, and nonprofit financial reporting.
• Experience preparing for or supporting an external financial audit preferred.
• Pay: $75,000–$90,000 annually
• Benefits: Full-time staff are eligible for the following:
• Health insurance: medical, dental, and vision coverage. MCA Denver pays 80% of the HMO plan premium until the staff member reaches one year of employment, and 100% after that. Staff may choose a PPO plan instead and pay the premium difference between the HMO plan and the plan they select. After one year of employment, MCA Denver also pays 25% of the HMO plan premium for spouses and dependents on the plan.
• Retirement plan: 403(b) with an employer-funded match of up to 2%.
• More can be found at www.mcadenver.org

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those necessary to perform the essential functions of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

• Ability to work with and process information from computers, printed materials, and other communication media.
• Ability to sit for extended periods, with mobility to access offices and other museum spaces.
• Ability to perform occasional standing, walking, bending, reaching, and stair climbing or elevator use.
• Ability to lift and/or move materials weighing up to 30 pounds, as needed.

MCA Denver is an equal opportunity employer. Management retains the right to add to or change the duties and responsibilities of this position at any time.