Accountant

Founded in 1853, the California Academy of Sciences is a globally renowned, AZA-accredited non-profit scientific and cultural institution located in the heart of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. Home to a world-class planetarium, aquarium, rainforest, research institute, and natural history museum—all under one living roof—our mission is to regenerate the natural world through science, learning, and collaboration.

Our living collection reflects Earth’s vast biodiversity, consisting of nearly 60,000 animals representing over 800 species. Our research collections are the largest west of the Mississippi,  spanning nearly 46 million plants, animals, fossils, and cultural artifacts from across the globe and throughout history. Our diverse team includes leading biodiversity scientists, educators, storytellers, designers, and communicators who are passionate about advancing knowledge and catalyzing action through science and storytelling.

Whether you're conducting research behind the scenes or engaging the public on the museum floor, your work will help connect people to the natural world and empower them to protect it.

• →Participate in period-end closing, preparing audit-ready general ledger journal entries and supporting documentation.
• →Perform period-end financial reviews and variance analyses against budget, prior periods, and quarters.
• →Prepare account reconciliations and resolve reconciling items in a timely manner.
• →Assist with annual financial audits, tax filings (Form 990), and regulatory filings, maintaining complete supporting documentation.
• →Evaluate and recommend improvements for internal controls, accounting processes, and system efficiencies.
• →Assist in preparing internal/external financial reporting packages, footnote schedules, tie-out binders, and disclosure checklists.
• →Build strong working relationships across teams, serving as a primary point of contact for business partners.
• →Execute special projects, financial analyses, ad-hoc research, and other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Business, or Finance-related field
• 2+ years of relevant accounting experience in public or corporate accounting
• CPA license or working towards passing the CPA exam (preferred)

• Intermediate knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (required)
• High attention to detail and strong self-review skills
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving abilities for non-standard transactions
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills across all organizational levels
• Intermediate knowledge of Excel

When you join the California Academy of Sciences, you become part of a mission-driven community that values curiosity, collaboration, and innovation, and celebrates its accomplishments together. Staff share a commitment to executing a new strategic plan that will strengthen the organization's financial foundations, cultivate a vibrant internal culture, and foster smart growth to secure the Academy’s future.

We hope you are inspired by what we do and are motivated to contribute to our mission. The Academy is looking for candidates who do great work, and we know they may come from a number of different backgrounds and experiences. We encourage you to apply even if you do not believe you meet every qualification for the position.

This position is based in San Francisco, California. The specific onsite/hybrid schedule for this position is listed below.