Controller

Location: Honolulu, HI

Reports to: Chief Financial Officer (CFO) or their designee

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 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.

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; a proactive, hands-on strategic thinker who is responsible for the oversight of the accounting function of Kupu.
• Serves as a role model for Kupu’s culture, mission, and CHOSEN Values.
• Financial Management:
• 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.
• Financial Reporting:
• Oversees the accumulation of all financial data necessary for accurate, timely and complete internal and external financial reporting.
• Oversees the preparation of various regulatory reporting, including tax filing and returns, and government reporting.
• Prepare and review financial statements, reports (including single audit report), and analyses, ensuring compliance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), funding requirements (including 2 CFR Part 200), and organizational policies.
• Provide timely and accurate financial information to the CFO and senior leadership.
• Budgeting and Forecasting:
• Leads budget planning, coordination, execution, and forecasting process. Reviews all financial plans against actual results to identify, research and explain variances, where applicable.
• Manages cash flow forecasting and collaborates with program leadership to assess the financial efficacy of program operations.
• Ensures adequate cash flow to meet the organization's needs.
• Analyzes Kupu’s financial results with respect to profits, trends, costs, and compliance with budgets.
• Assists senior management in financial planning and results management. Works with other team members to understand revenue and cost drivers and define appropriate reports for tracking.
• Team Leadership:
• Plans, directs, and coordinates the operations of the accounting department.
• Leads the accounting team by hiring and training candidates, providing direction, verifying accuracy of work, and giving constructive, development-oriented feedback.
• Leverages strengths of the accounting team members, helps to clarify roles and responsibilities.
• Develops and implements training programs to maximize and reach optimal individual and organizational goals.
• Provides positive leadership in strengthening internal communications with staff at all levels throughout the organization; creates and promotes a positive and supportive work environment.
• Defines and implements key performance indicators and strategic objectives for the department and, as appropriate, the entire organization; facilitates measurement of those objectives, reporting results to the executive team.
• Communicates with the board of directors upon CFO’s absence.
• Internal Controls and Compliance:
• Documents, assesses, and advises on internal controls for various accounting cycles and grant compliance.
• Ensures compliance with federal, state, local, and organizational laws, regulations, guidelines, and best practices, including but not limited to tax laws, generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), federal acquisition regulations (FAR), Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), and cost accounting standards (CAS).
• In conjunction with the Compliance team, ensures financial compliance with award requirements, including oversight of proper spending, financial reporting, and maintaining proper registrations and organization filings.
• In conjunction with the CFO, develops and maintains systems of internal controls to safeguard financial assets of the organization and oversees federal awards and programs.
• Manages the external audit process and oversees preparation of the GAAP financial statements and footnotes.
• Process Improvement:
• Researches upcoming changes to GAAP and determines the impact on Kupu’s financial statements, reporting and accounting processes.
• Maintains knowledge of developments and trends in finance and administration including technological advances.
• Facilitates implementation of new systems and major improvements of existing systems.
• Drafts and implements policies and best practices to support the achievement of objectives and required standards.

• Cross-functional Collaboration:
• Oversees payroll operations, including internal controls and workflow processes for timely, accurate and compliant processing. Assists in managing the relationship with payroll service providers as needed.
• Oversees cross departmental communication to ensure efficient and accurate financial data exchange and alignment with organizational goals.
• Project Management:
• Leads project planning, execution, and monitoring phases, ensuring adherence to timelines, budgets, and quality standards.
• Oversees projects, allocates resources, and provides direction to meet project objectives and deliverables.
• Other related duties to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

Minimum Qualifications:

• 5-7 years of progressive accounting experience, with 5+ years in a supervisory or managerial role.
• Bachelor's degree or higher in accounting, finance, or a related field.
• Proven ability to prepare financial statements in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Successful track record with Federal funding (2 CFR Part 200), single audit, and 990 preparations.
• Capacity to translate financial terms into understandable concepts for program decisions.
• Solid experience coordinating audit activities, financial reporting, budgeting/forecasting, analysis, general ledger functions, and payroll.
• Experience recruiting, mentoring, training, and managing an accounting team.
• Experience in grant accounting as it relates to compliance and reporting of government, corporate and foundation grants.
• Self-motivated with an ability to follow through and complete assigned projects.
• Proficiency in accounting software and financial management systems.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to interpret financial data for strategic decision-making.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational and time management skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 Suite, including an advanced proficiency in Excel

Preferred Qualifications:

• Preferred CPA and/or Master of Accounting.
• Experience or interest in environmental conservation and/or professional and youth development.
• Experience with Nexonia and Sage Intacct or similar expense/accounting software.

Compensation and Benefits:

• Salary Range: $100,000-$130,000 DOE
• Employer Paid Health Benefits
• PTO
• 401(k) with employer match

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