Controller

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; 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, 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 leadership role
• Bachelor's degree 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 in recruiting, mentoring, training, and leading an accounting team
• Experience in grant accounting as it relates to compliance and reporting of government, corporate and foundation grants
• Self-motivated 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

Physical Requirements (with or without reasonable accommodation)

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

• Extended periods of sitting at a desk or workstation
• Using a computer keyboard and mouse
• Continually 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, documents, etc.