Accounting Manager, Nonprofit Finance

DEPARTMENT: Finance

REPORTS TO: Chief Financial Officer

LOCATION: On-site in La Jolla, CA on the scenic UC San Diego campus

CLASSIFICATION: Full-time, exempt, with a comprehensive benefits package

SCHEDULE: Monday through Friday during regular business hours, with occasional evening or weekend work required during audits, fiscal year-end, major deadlines, and organizational events

COMPENSATION: $100,000-$110,000 annually (DOE)

APPLICATION MATERIALS: Resume and cover letter required

At La Jolla Playhouse, the Accounting Manager plays a critical role in supporting the financial health and long‑term sustainability of one of the nation's leading nonprofit theatres. Reporting to and partnering closely with the Chief Financial Officer, this position leads core accounting operations, oversees monthly and annual close processes, strengthens financial systems and internal controls, and provides analysis, forecasting, and reporting to support organizational decision‑making.

The Accounting Manager collaborates across departments to translate financial information into actionable insights, improve operational effectiveness, and ensure compliance with nonprofit accounting standards. This role is ideal for an experienced accounting professional who enjoys balancing hands‑on accounting responsibilities with process improvement, strategic thinking, and cross‑functional partnership. The successful candidate is proactive, collaborative, and energized by this unique opportunity to support a vibrant artistic mission through sound financial stewardship.

Focus: accounting operations, financial reporting, analysis, forecasting, and organizational decision support.

• Lead month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close processes, including preparing and reviewing reconciliations, journal entries, schedules, and related reporting to ensure timely and accurate financial records.
• Partner with department leaders to provide financial analysis, forecasting, reporting, and decision‑support tools that strengthen organizational performance and support long‑range planning.
• Coordinate with the Grants Manager to provide financial data for grant applications, budgets, reporting, reconciliations, and compliance support as needed.

Focus: liquidity, forecasting, banking, and cash planning.

• Monitor organizational cash flow and prepare rolling 12-month projections to support short‑term operations, long‑term treasury planning, and investment decisions in partnership with the CFO.

Focus: internal controls, accounting integrity, reconciliations, and regulatory compliance.

• Protect assets by establishing, monitoring, and enforcing internal controls.
• Prepare and review monthly balance sheet, bank, work‑in‑progress, capital asset, depreciation, and payroll tax reconciliations to ensure accurate financial reporting.
• Review weekly and bi‑weekly payroll for accuracy prior to submission through ADP, including coordination with HR and Payroll staff on employee changes, deductions, and other payroll‑related updates as needed.

Focus: external audits, tax filings, and required reporting.

• Reconciliation of quarterly 941 filings.
• Coordinate annual financial, workers' compensation, and other required audits by preparing schedules, supporting documentation, reconciliations, and Form 990 information while serving as the primary liaison to external auditors.
• Manage annual 1099 filings and support the preparation of information required for Form 990 reporting.

Focus: collaboration, business continuity, and team support.

• Support and back up other members of the Accounting team, including Payroll and Accounts Payable staff.

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required, plus ten or more years of relevant accounting experience; an equivalent combination of education, training and directly related experience may be considered.
• Advanced proficiency with Excel and enterprise accounting systems, along with demonstrated success leveraging technology to improve…