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About the job

About the California Academy of Sciences

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.

About the Opportunity

POSITION SUMMARY: Reporting to a Senior Accountant, the Accountant focuses on Financial Accounting and Reporting, assisting across functions as needed. Responsibilities include revenue recognition (ASC 606/958), preparing journal entries and reconciliations, creating compliance schedules, assisting with financial reporting packages, tax filings, and internal control audits.

POSITION DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The responsibilities may consist of one or more of the following areas:

Financial Accounting & Reporting Responsibilities

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.

QUALIFICATIONS: A successful candidate will have the following:

EXPERIENCE and/or EDUCATION:

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)

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

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

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT: Must be able to perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodations.

Frequently sitting, standing, using a computer, and participating in meetings. Requires repetitive motions up to 90% of the time.

Eligible for overtime pay during peak period demands as needed.

This position follows a hybrid work schedule, requiring onsite presence at the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco a minimum of two days per week. Candidates must be able to meet this onsite requirement.

Organizational Culture

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.

This position is part of a bargaining unit represented by Cal Academy Workers United, and will be subject to the terms and conditions of that contract.

Key Responsibilities

Qualifications: A successful candidate will have the following:

Physical Environment: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

Compensation and Benefits: The salary range for this position is $39.53 - 42.78. Actual compensation will be commensurate with the final candidate's qualifications and experience, including skills, knowledge, relevant education, certifications and aligned with the internal peer group. We believe in fair and equitable compensation practices and are committed to providing competitive salaries within the industry and market standards. The Academy offers a total compensation package that emphasizes both base salary and comprehensive benefits based on the hours per week worked. Further details regarding compensation and benefits will be discussed during the interview process.

Schedule : Full-Time, 40 hours per week

How to Apply: Interested candidates should submit a resume and application through our Careers Page portal.

The California Academy of Sciences will give full consideration for employment to all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance (SF Police Code, Article 49).