**NOTE: THIS IS NOT A COMPLETELY REMOTE POSITION. FREQUENT TRAVEL IS REQUIRED**
Senior Accountant (Accountant II)
Position Description
Reports to the Finance Director
Overview
Over the last 20 years, Hawaii Community Lending (HCL) has established itself as a highly respected native community development financial institution certified by the US Department of the Treasury.
Our mission is to increase access to credit and capital for Native Hawaiians and other underserved populations in the State of Hawaii. Our philosophy – kahua waiwai (foundation of wealth) – espouses a sense of place in which it is viewed that every family needs a home, or stable foundation (kahua), in order to share their culture, traditions, spiritual teachings, social networks, connection to the land, and financial resources (waiwai). Foundations, if built properly, will serve and empower our families and communities for generations to come.
We are rooted by a vision that all Native Hawaiians will own a home and reconnect to ʻāina for spirituality, food security, economic self-sufficiency, and healing of generational trauma from the systematic separation of our people from our ancestral lands. When we realize this vision together, our ʻohana will anchor a 21st century Hawaiian economy centered on Hawaiian values, equity, and collective well-being throughout diverse and inclusive communities.
HCL administers two primary funds – the Hawaii Emergency Loan Program and the Hawaii Affordable Housing Fund. HCL originates, processes, underwrites, closes, and services all loans as well as provides mortgage brokering and packaging services to its borrowers. HCA provides development services to all HCL borrowers including financial education, credit counseling, and homebuyer education and pre-purchase counseling. Together, HCL and our partner nonprofit, Hawaiian Community Assets, provide community members with both financial education and the opportunity to act, also known as financial capability. The organizations’ accomplishments have been recognized by Brandeis University as “Empowerment Economics”, a national best practice for native communities and communities of color.
Since its inception in 2002, the organization has served more than 3,000 Hawaii households with grants, loans, and mortgage brokering and packaging services, assisting underserved low- and moderate-income communities access more than $180 million for affordable housing and community development.
Responsibilities
Hawaiʻi Community Lending (HCL), a nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), is seeking an experienced and detail-oriented Accountant II to support the organization’s growing internal accounting function. This position will assist with transitioning accounting responsibilities currently performed by an outsourced accounting provider to an in-house finance team.
The Accountant II will perform hands-on accounting duties including accounts payable processing, reconciliations, journal entries, month-end close support, lending-related accounting, grant tracking support, and audit preparation. This role requires a strong operational accountant who is comfortable working in a fast-paced and evolving environment.
Candidates must reside in Hawaiʻi, as periodic in-person meetings and collaboration are required.
This position reports directly to the Finance Director and works closely with finance leadership to support accurate financial reporting, compliance, and operational efficiency.
This position reports directly to the Finance Director and works closely with finance leadership to support accurate financial reporting, compliance, and operational efficiency.
General Accounting & Month-End Close
- Prepare journal entries and maintain general ledger accuracy
- Assist with monthly and year-end close processes
- Prepare reconciliations and supporting schedules for balance sheet accounts
- Research and resolve reconciling items and discrepancies
- Maintain organized accounting workpapers and supporting documentation
- Assist with preparation of monthly financial reports
Accounts Payable & Cash Disbursements
- Process accounts payable transactions including ACH, wire, and check payments
- Review invoices and supporting documentation for completeness and approval
- Code expenses to appropriate accounts, departments, programs, and grants
- Assist with Bill.com workflows and payment processing
- Maintain organized digital accounting records and audit support files
Loan & Grant Accounting Support
- Assist with accounting related to HCL’s lending programs and loan portfolio
- Reconcile lending activity between accounting and operational systems
- Support accounting for restricted grants and program funds
- Assist with grant allocations, reporting, and supporting schedules
- Support reconciliation and reporting related to lending and program activity
Audit & Transition Support
- Assist with annual audit preparation and auditor requests
- Support year-end close and Form 990 preparation processes
- Assist with transitioning accounting functions from the outsourced accounting provider to the internal finance team
- Help document accounting procedures and improve accounting workflows
- Support special projects and process improvement initiatives as assigned
Systems & Environment
- Experience with QuickBooks Online or similar accounting systems preferred
- Strong Microsoft Excel skills required
- Ability to work within multiple financial and operational systems
Qualifications
Core Requirements
- Alignment with HCL’s mission and vision, Nā Piko ʻEkolu accountability framework, PEHEAA standards of conduct, and Continuous Improvement Process.
- Commitment to Native Hawaiian values and community wealth building.
- Understanding of Native Hawaiian values and willingness to advance a mission grounded in community self-determination.
- Commitment to ethical conduct, confidentiality, and professional integrity.
- Ability to collaborate with partners, investors, funders, and government agencies.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to effectively utilize HCL’s technology platforms and software systems, including Salesforce, Asana, SharePoint, Microsoft Office, Teams, OneDrive, and other HR, payroll, and administrative systems as required to support secure, efficient, and compliant operations.
- Reliable high-speed internet connection capable of supporting secure system access and video conferencing (minimum recommended 25 Mbps download / 5 Mbps upload).
- Willingness to work evenings or weekends as required to meet organizational and community needs.
- Ability and willingness to travel, including inter-island travel, for in-person organizational meetings, trainings, conferences, and community engagements as required.
Minimum Employment Requirements
- Must be at least 18 years of age.
- Must possess a High School Diploma or GED.
- Must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
- Must be able to successfully pass a criminal background check in accordance with federal and state regulations and organizational policy.
Position Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required
- Minimum 5 years of progressive accounting experience
- Strong experience with: Accounts payable, reconciliations, journal entries, month-end close, financial reporting support, audit support
- Experience in nonprofit accounting, lending, banking, mortgage servicing, or CDFI environments strongly preferred
- Experience with loan origination systems or loan servicing platforms preferred
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and accounting systems
Compensation and Benefits
- This is a salaried, non-exempt position, starting at $75,000 to commensurate with experience
- Paid Time Off eligibility after 6 months of employment
- Healthcare coverage (medical, dental, vision)
- Group Life Insurance
- 401(k) plan with employer match after 12 months of employment
- Professional development and training opportunities in Hawaiʻi and the continental United States
Pay: From $75,000.00 per year
Benefits:
Education:
Location:
Willingness to travel:
Work Location: Remote
