Senior Staff Accountant

Los Angeles Opera; Los Angeles (CA); Hybrid; USD 76,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Life and long-term disability coverage

403(b) retirement plan with employer  

Cell phone stipend

Employee Assistance Program

Parking or transit reimbursement

Complimentary and discounted tickets

Job summary

LA Opera is seeking an experienced Senior Staff Accountant to support key financial operations, including accounts payable, payroll, accounts receivable, month-end close, reconciliations, and financial reporting. Reporting to the Controller, this is a full-time role based at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in downtown Los Angeles with hybrid work flexibility, allowing remote work up to two days per week.

Occasional evening and weekend work may be required.

Qualifications

• Five+ years of accounting or finance experience; nonprofit experience is a plus.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP and ledger accounting, reconciliations, and month-end close.
• Experience with enterprise accounting systems such as Sage, SAP, or Oracle; payroll system experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Prepare journal entries, account reconciliations, and close-related transactions.
• Research discrepancies in bank reconciliations, receivables, and balance sheet accounts.
• Assist with annual financial statement audits and prepare schedules.
• Perform Tessitura vs Sage reconciliations and resolve discrepancies with Box Office.
• Analyze trial balance accounts and support the Controller with financial analysis.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

General ledger

Reconciliations

Advanced Excel

Financial close

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Team player

Tools

Sage

SAP

Oracle

Payroll system

Job description

LA Opera is seeking an experienced Senior Staff Accountant to support key financial operations, including accounts payable, payroll, accounts receivable, month-end close, reconciliations, and financial reporting.

Reporting to the Controller, this is a full-time position based at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in downtown Los Angeles. LA Opera currently offers hybrid work flexibility, with the option to work remotely up to two days per week in many weeks. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required.

The anticipated starting salary range is $76,000–$84,500.

LA Opera offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance; life and long-term disability coverage; a 403(b) retirement plan with employer match; cell phone stipend; Employee Assistance Program; subsidized parking or public transit reimbursement; and complimentary and discounted performance tickets.

Key Responsibilities

Working closely with the Controller, Payroll Manager, and other colleagues, the Senior Staff Accountant will:

• Prepare journal entries, account reconciliations, allocations, and other transactions supporting the monthly close.
• Research and resolve discrepancies related to bank reconciliations, receivables, and other balance sheet accounts.
• Prepare schedules and respond to information requests for the annual financial statement audit.
• Perform weekly/monthly Tessitura (CRM) vs Sage (GL) Reconciliation and follow-up with Box Office team to resolve discrepancies
• Analyze key trial balance accounts and assist the Controller with financial analysis and special projects.

Accounts Payable & Receivable

• Support weekly accounts payable processing as needed and during Accounts Payable Manager’s absence.
• Process vendor invoices, payments, employee credit card transactions, and related accounting entries.
• Maintain vendor records, respond to vendor and staff inquiries, and support annual 1099 reporting.
• Prepare miscellaneous customer invoices, monitor outstanding receivables, and process customer payments.
• Monitor credit card electronic receipts and coordinate with internal departments to ensure funds are properly recorded and allocated.

Payroll

• Support weekly payroll processing and manage payroll processing in the Payroll Manager’s absence.
• Prepare payroll-related general ledger entries, allocations, bank reconciliations, and clearing entries.
• Manage union dues and benefit contribution reporting and remittances, coordinating with employees, union benefit funds, and Accounts Payable as needed.
• Support payroll-related tax filings and Workers Compensation and Retirement Plan audits.
• Partner with Human Resources as needed on employee setup and maintenance in HRIS and payroll systems.

Process Improvement & Team Support

• Document, maintain, and improve procedures across Accounts Payable, Payroll, and Accounts Receivable.
• Cross-train with accounting team members and help strengthen internal processes and controls.
• Respond to internal and external accounting inquiries and contribute to special projects as needed.

Qualifications

• Five or more years of relevant accounting or financial experience; nonprofit accounting experience is a plus.
• Strong knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and experience with general ledger accounting, reconciliations, and financial close.
• Experience with enterprise accounting systems such as Sage, SAP, or Oracle; payroll system experience is a plus.
• Advanced Excel skills and proficiency with Microsoft Office.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and time-management skills, with careful attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and a commitment to responsive internal and external service.
• Ability to work collaboratively as a reliable and supportive member of a team.

About LA Opera

LA Opera is a mission-driven nonprofit organization that plays a vital role in the cultural life of Southern California. Our employees and artists bring world-class opera to life while preserving, promoting, and advancing the art form in ways that reflect the diversity, creativity, and pioneering spirit of Los Angeles.

Each year, more than 100,000 audience members experience our productions at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in downtown Los Angeles. We reach thousands more through community and school programs and Off Grand performances presented at venues throughout Los Angeles.