Controller

Kupu; Honolulu (HI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Kupu is a Honolulu-based nonprofit seeking a Controller to lead accounting, financial reporting, and treasury activities in support of its mission. The Controller will drive governance, compliance, and strategic financial planning across programs in Hawai‘i.

The role partners with the CFO and executive team to maintain robust financial health, data-driven decision making, and effective grant oversight, ensuring transparency to Board and funders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or related field.
• 10+ years of progressive financial leadership experience.
• 5+ years nonprofit financial management with budgets similar to Kupu's.
• Experience managing complex grant portfolios (federal/state).
• Experience with Financial Statements and Single Audits.
• Experience with restricted funding and cost allocation methodologies.
• Leading finance teams and multi-layered accounting functions.
• Extensive knowledge of GAAP and nonprofit standards (Uniform Guidance 2 CFR 200).
• Experience with financial systems, ERP platforms, and grant management software.
• Strong presentation and financial storytelling skills.
• Ability to communicate financial information to diverse audiences.
• Ability to build partnerships across departments with external stakeholders.
• Advanced financial modeling, forecasting, and data analytics.
• Highest integrity and ability to build trust.

Responsibilities

• Oversee accounting operations: general ledger, receivables, payables, payroll, and reporting.
• Lead external audits and ensure regulatory compliance (990 and Single Audit).
• Develop long-term financial strategies and multi-year planning.
• Provide data-driven financial analysis to leadership and Board decisions.
• Support fundraising efforts with financial modeling and reporting.
• Manage grant compliance and restricted funding across programs.

Skills

Financial leadership

GAAP knowledge

Nonprofit financial management

Grant management

Financial storytelling

Stakeholder communication

Forecasting and analytics

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or related field

Tools

Sage Intacct

ERP systems

Grant management software

Job description

Company Description

Kupu is a Honolulu-based 501(c)3 non-profit organization established in 2007, committed to fostering sustainability in Hawai’i through programs that provide hands-on training and national service opportunities. Focused on empowering young adults and emerging professionals, Kupu facilitates education and environmental stewardship to support the land, ocean, and community. With over 4,000 program participants since its inception, Kupu has contributed to significant ecological efforts including planting over 1 million native plants and removing more than 100,000 acres of invasive species. The organization has also awarded $5.5 million in education funds and generated over $130 million in economic benefits for the state. Kupu is dedicated to cultivating Hawai’i’s future leaders for the benefit of its environment and communities.

Position Overview

Kupu’s Controller plays a vital role in ensuring the organization’s financial health and accountability by overseeing multiple aspects of financial operations, reporting, and leadership. This position is ideal for a leader who thrives on collaboration and is genuinely driven by Kupu’s mission and those we serve. Additionally, the Controller is responsible for planning, directing, and coordinating Kupu’s accounting and financial reporting operations, leading a team of accounting professionals, leading project-based initiatives, overseeing all external audits, and collaborating closely with other departments to support Kupu’s mission-driven initiatives. The Controller reports to and supports the CFO in the areas of treasury, Board reporting, analysis, and planning.

Program Goals

Kupu’s accounting and finance department supports all Kupu programs and administration. The department provides financial reports to program heads, head of organizations, Kupu Board of Directors, and funding partners, plans budgets and forecasting, conducts strategic planning, oversees expense allocation, and is the liaison with our outsourced human resources and payroll provider.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

• Conducts oneself with aloha and drives Kupu’s culture


• Conducts oneself with integrity, credibility, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to Kupu’s mission as a pro-active, hands-on strategic thinker who is responsible for the oversight of the accounting function


• Serves as a role model for Kupu’s culture, mission, and CHOSEN Values

Financial Reporting

• Oversee organizational liquidity, including cash flow forecasting, reserve policy compliance, and financial planning to ensure continuity of operations and reduce risk from delayed reimbursements from grants or other factors that could impact cash flow


• Serve as a strategic advisor and thought partner to the CEO and executive leadership team


• Develop and implement long-term financial strategies that support financial health and organizational sustainability and growth


• Lead financial forecasting, multi-year planning, and capital planning initiatives


• Provide data-driven financial analysis to support organizational decision-making and program expansion


• Evaluate and advise on financial implications of strategic initiatives, partnerships, and funding opportunities


• Partner with executive leadership to identify and secure new funding streams


• As part of the C-Suite, the CFO collaborates closely with the COO to integrate financial strategy with operational excellence

Financial Management and Oversight

• Develops and designs workflow plans that ensure timely processing of accounting transactions and closing entries


• In collaboration with executive leadership, develops, implements, operates, maintains, and controls the essential operating systems, information, and financial business of the company


• Directs all aspects of accounting operations, overseeing all transactions related to general ledger, receivables, payables, payroll, and financial reporting


• Supports strategic thinking, planning, and coordination as it relates to financial management and oversight


• Direct and oversee all accounting, financial reporting, budgeting, payroll, and treasury functions


• Oversee all audit and regulatory compliance including 990 and Single Audit filings


• Oversee financial risk management and internal control systems


• Ensure accurate, timely, and transparent financial reporting for leadership and Board governance

Grant and Restricted Funding Compliance

• Oversee financial compliance for federal, state, and private grants and other funding


• Ensure proper accounting, tracking, and reporting of restricted and other federal funds


• Provide financial oversight of AmeriCorps funding requirements and cost allocation standards


• Maintain compliance with Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200) and other applicable federal and state regulations


• Collaborate with program teams to support compliant grant implementation and reporting

Board of Directors and External Relations

• Serve as the primary financial liaison to the Board of Directors and Finance Committee


• Present financial reports, dashboards, and other presentations to the Board, as directed by the CEO


• Support Board governance by providing financial insight and strategic recommendations


• Serve as the chief financial spokesperson to funders, auditors, financial institutions, and key stakeholders


• Support donor stewardship through financial transparency and reporting

Leadership and Team Development

• Provide leadership, supervision, and development for assigned teams


• Part of the executive leadership team at Kupu and provide support and guidance to CEO and COO as well as other leaders


• Provide leadership and foster the organization’s core culture as well as a culture of accountability, professional development, collaboration, and continuous improvement


• Ensure cross-training and succession planning within the finance department


• Promote strong internal partnerships and communication between departments


• Support fund raising efforts by providing necessary financial information and modeling, potentially meeting with donors and funders to support efforts

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Provide direct leadership and oversight for the organization’s finance and payroll teams


• Performance management, workforce planning, training, and succession planning for department staff

Other responsibilities as appropriate for this role

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or related field


• Minimum of 10 years of progressive financial leadership experience


• Minimum of 5 years in nonprofit financial management with similar or greater sized budgets as Kupu


• Demonstrated experience managing complex grant portfolios, including federal and state funding


• Experienced in overseeing Financial Statement and Single Audits


• Experienced in managing restricted funding and cost allocation methodologies


• Experienced in leading finance teams and multi-layered accounting functions


• Extensive knowledge of GAAP and nonprofit accounting standards


• Extensive knowledge of nonprofit accounting standards andUniform Guidance (2 CFR 200)


• Experience with financial systems, ERP platforms, and grant management software


• Exceptional presentation and financial storytelling skills


• Demonstrated ability to communicate financial information to diverse audiences


• Demonstrated ability to build strong partnerships across departments with external stakeholders


• Advanced financial modeling, forecasting, and data analytics capabilities


• Highest standards of integrity with the ability to build trust across all levels of the organization

Preferred Qualifications

• Extensive experience with Sage Intacct


• Master’s degree in business administration, finance, or related discipline preferred


• Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

Physical Requirements (with or without reasonable accommodation):

• Primarily office-based work environment


• Occasional travel to program sites, Board meetings, Neighbor Islands, conferences, and other venues


• Ability to remain seated or use a computer for extended periods