Accounting Manager, Nonprofit Finance

Sacbar; California (MO); On-site; USD 100,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

La Jolla Playhouse is seeking an Accounting Manager to lead core accounting operations, close processes, and financial reporting on a full-time basis on-site in La Jolla, CA.

Reporting to the CFO, the role supports forecasting, internal controls, and regulatory compliance while collaborating across departments to drive financial insights for strategic decisions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• 10+ years of relevant accounting experience.
• Advanced proficiency with Excel and enterprise accounting systems.
• Knowledge of GAAP standards and nonprofit fund accounting (endowments, pledges, grants, etc.).
• Excellent organizational, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to identify and implement opportunities to modernize accounting processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close processes with reconciliations and journal entries.
• Provide financial analysis, forecasting, reporting, and decision-support tools for organizational planning.
• Coordinate with Grants Manager to support grant applications, budgets, and reporting.
• Monitor internal controls and ensure regulatory compliance and accurate financial reporting.
• Support external audits, Form 990, and 1099 filings as needed.
• Back up other Accounting team members, including Payroll and AP.

Skills

Excel

Communication

Team collaboration

Process improvement

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting/Finance or related field

Tools

ADP

Financial Edge

Oracle

Dynamics

Great Plains

Job description

DEPARTMENT: Finance

REPORTS TO: Chief Financial Officer

LOCATION: On-site in La Jolla, CA on the scenic UC San Diego campus

CLASSIFICATION: Full-time, exempt, with a comprehensive benefits package

SCHEDULE: Monday through Friday during regular business hours, with occasional evening or weekend work required during audits, fiscal year-end, major deadlines, and organizational events

COMPENSATION: $100,000-$110,000 annually (DOE)

APPLICATION MATERIALS: Resume and cover letter required

ABOUT THE ROLE:

At La Jolla Playhouse, the Accounting Manager plays a critical role in supporting the financial health and long‑term sustainability of one of the nation's leading nonprofit theatres. Reporting to and partnering closely with the Chief Financial Officer, this position leads core accounting operations, oversees monthly and annual close processes, strengthens financial systems and internal controls, and provides analysis, forecasting, and reporting to support organizational decision‑making. The Accounting Manager collaborates across departments to translate financial information into actionable insights, improve operational effectiveness, and ensure compliance with nonprofit accounting standards. This role is ideal for an experienced accounting professional who enjoys balancing hands‑on accounting responsibilities with process improvement, strategic thinking, and cross‑functional partnership. The successful candidate is proactive, collaborative, and energized by this unique opportunity to support a vibrant artistic mission through sound financial stewardship.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

Accounting Operations & Financial Reporting

Focus: accounting operations, financial reporting, analysis, forecasting, and organizational decision support.

• Lead month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close processes, including preparing and reviewing reconciliations, journal entries, schedules, and related reporting to ensure timely and accurate financial records.
• Partner with department leaders to provide financial analysis, forecasting, reporting, and decision‑support tools that strengthen organizational performance and support long‑range planning.
• Coordinate with the Grants Manager to provide financial data for grant applications, budgets, reporting, reconciliations, and compliance support as needed.

Cash Flow & Treasury Management

Focus: liquidity, forecasting, banking, and cash planning.

• Monitor organizational cash flow and prepare rolling 12-month projections to support short‑term operations, long‑term treasury planning, and investment decisions in partnership with the CFO.

Internal Controls & Compliance

Focus: internal controls, accounting integrity, reconciliations, and regulatory compliance.

• Protect assets by establishing, monitoring, and enforcing internal controls.
• Prepare and review monthly balance sheet, bank, work‑in‑progress, capital asset, depreciation, and payroll tax reconciliations to ensure accurate financial reporting.
• Review weekly and bi‑weekly payroll for accuracy prior to submission through ADP, including coordination with HR and Payroll staff on employee changes, deductions, and other payroll‑related updates as needed.

Audit & Regulatory Reporting

Focus: external audits, tax filings, and required reporting.

• Reconciliation of quarterly 941 filings.
• Coordinate annual financial, workers' compensation, and other required audits by preparing schedules, supporting documentation, reconciliations, and Form 990 information while serving as the primary liaison to external auditors.
• Manage annual 1099 filings and support the preparation of information required for Form 990 reporting.

Cross‑Functional & Team Support

Focus: collaboration, business continuity, and team support.

• Support and back up other members of the Accounting team, including Payroll and Accounts Payable staff.

WHAT YOU BRING:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required, plus ten or more years of relevant accounting experience; an equivalent combination of education, training and directly related experience may be considered.
• Advanced proficiency with Excel and enterprise accounting systems, along with demonstrated success leveraging technology to improve accounting processes, reporting, and operational efficiency.
• Knowledge of GAAP standards and fund accounting required for nonprofit organizations is essential – including endowments, pledges, temporary and permanent restricted, grant reporting, in‑kind gifts, donations, grants, etc.
• Exceptional organizational, communication, and relationship‑building skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, work independently, communicate financial information to non‑financial stakeholders, and build trust across all levels of the organization.
• The ability to identify and implement opportunities to modernize accounting processes.

Preferred qualifications

• Experience with project‑based nonprofit finance environments, construction accounting, project accounting, and/or theatre and performing arts accounting.
• Experience with nonprofit audits and Form 990 preparation.
• Knowledge of ADP and Financial Edge, Oracle, Dynamics or Great Plains accounting software.
• Exceptional Excel skills regarding financial statement modeling, large complex workbooks and macros

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

This role operates in a shared office environment that requires frequent verbal and written communication, focus amid background noise, and comfort using computers, phones, and other standard office equipment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

• Mostly seated work at a computer workstation with occasional standing and moving about the administrative offices.
• Frequent keyboard use.
• Frequent talking and listening.
• Ability to maintain focus on screen‑based work for extended periods.
• Occasionally move materials weighing up to 20 pounds, with or without assistance.