Staff Accountant

Location: Honolulu, HI (Hybrid)

Reports to: Senior Accountant

Classification: Exempt

Kupu’s Story

Kupu, which means “to sprout” or “to grow” in Hawaiian, has a two-fold mission: to preserve the land while empowering youth. The organization provides hands-on training in conservation, sustainability, and environmental education for young adults, with the goal of fostering our next generation of environmental and cultural stewards. Kupu’s work has been likened to the role of the kupukupu fern, which is one of the first plants to recultivate the land after a lava flow. The fern not only serves as a foundational species for rebuilding a healthy, native ecosystem, but it also symbolizes a place where knowledge can grow.

Established in 2007 as a 501(c)3 non-profit, Kupu empowers future generations to create a more sustainable, pono Hawai‘i.  Kupu accomplishes this by partnering with conservation and sustainability focused agencies throughout the state and pacific in providing hands-on service opportunities which educate and mentor young adults and emerging professionals to become stewards of our communities and environment.  Since 2007, Kupu has risen to meet the increasing demands of the green job sector by engaging over 3,000 youth in the areas of conservation, sustainability, and environmental education. Kupu affirms the Hawaiian notion of “ma ka hana ka ʻike” or “in working one learns.”  This approach has led to the creation of hundreds of service-learning opportunities which assists in the development of Hawai’i’s emerging professionals in the green job sector while supporting over 150 conservation and sustainability organizations across Hawaiʻi and the Pacific region.

Kupu’s Mission

“To empower youth to serve their communities through character-building, service-learning, and environmental stewardship opportunities that encourage integrity (pono) with Ke Akua, self, and others”

Kupu’s CHOSEN Values

C         Character

H         Humility

O        ‘Ohana

S          Service

E          Excellence

N         Nobility

Position Overview

The Staff Accountant at Kupu plays a key role in supporting the organization’s accounting and finance functions, ensuring accurate financial management and compliance with fiscal policies. This position is responsible for maintaining financial documentation, performing reconciliations, managing accounts payable and receivable processes, and assisting with payroll review. Proficiency in accounting systems such as Sage Intacct, Nexonia, Salesforce, and Square is required, along with strong organizational skills and attention to detail. The Staff Accountant will uphold Kupu’s mission and values while fostering collaborative relationships to ensure efficient and effective financial operations.

The accounting and finance department of Kupu 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.

• Conduct oneself with aloha and drive Kupu’s culture.
• Conduct oneself with integrity, credibility, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to Kupu’s mission.
• Serve as a role model for Kupu’s culture, mission, and CHOSEN Values.
• Develop and possess proficient working knowledge of accounting and integrated systems used by Kupu (including Sage Intacct, Nexonia, SalesForce, Square)
• Perform reconciliations within the accounting system and resolve discrepancies
• Maintain accurate customer ledgers: Setup, record invoices and receipts with attention to proper authorization, coding and documentation as outlined in Kupu’s fiscal policies
• Maintain accurate vendor ledgers: Setup, record bills and payments with attention to proper authorization, coding and documentation as outlined in Kupu’s fiscal policies
• Develop and maintain productive relationships with others to ensure timely and efficient completion of tasks
• Other duties as assigned or as appropriate

Minimum Qualifications:

• Minimum 2 years of experience in the accounting field
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Microsoft 365, Adobe Acrobat Pro
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Conduct oneself in a professional and ethical manner
• Demonstrate attention to detail and organizational skills
• Maintain the highest standards of accuracy, precision, discretion, and confidentiality
• Conduct oneself in a professional and ethical manner
• Willingness to learn
• Meet deadlines effectively and accurately in a dynamic environment
• Self-motivated with an ability to follow through and complete assigned projects

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in accounting or related field preferred
• Proficiency with Sage Intacct, Nexonia, Salesforce, Square, and other accounting systems
• Detail oriented with good analytic and communication skills
• Experience or interest in environmental conservation
• Experience in a non-profit setting
• Experience in Federal Funding requirements and reporting

Compensation and Benefits:

• Pay range: $45,000 - $55,000 based on experience
• Employer paid health benefits (medical, dental, vision)
• PTO
• Eligible for 401(k) plan after one year of service and 1,000 hours of service
• Lifestyle benefits (gym reimbursement, ticket discounts, etc.)

Physical Requirements:

Due to the nature of Kupu’s programs, the physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform essential functions of this position.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Extended periods of sitting at a desk or workstation
• Using a computer keyboard and mouse
• Regularly working with computer screens
• Precise use of fingers and hands
• Effective verbal and written communication
• Occasional Standing/Walking
• Occasional lifting and moving light to moderate loads of office supplies or documents

*In accordance with Federal Law, Kupu is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability