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How much do museum accounting jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 30, 2026, the average hourly pay for museum accounting in the United States is $22.08, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.75 and $24.52 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is museum accounting?

Museum accounting is a specialized branch of accounting focused on managing and reporting the financial activities of museums. This includes budgeting, tracking donations and grant funds, managing endowments, and ensuring compliance with nonprofit financial regulations. Museum accountants also oversee the valuation and management of collections as assets, handle payroll, and prepare financial statements for audits and stakeholders. Their work ensures that museums remain financially sustainable and transparent in their operations.

What is the difference between Museum Accounting vs Museum Finance Coordinator?

AspectMuseum AccountingMuseum Finance Coordinator
Primary RoleManaging financial records, budgets, and accounting processes specific to museumsOverseeing financial planning, reporting, and coordination of budget activities within museums
Required CredentialsAccounting degree or CPA, familiarity with nonprofit accountingFinance or accounting background, often with project management skills
Work EnvironmentAccounting departments within museums, often in office settingsFinance teams in museum administration, involving collaboration across departments
Industry UsageCommonly used in museum financial managementUsed for financial planning and coordination in museums

While both roles involve financial responsibilities within museums, Museum Accounting focuses on managing financial records and compliance, whereas Museum Finance Coordinator emphasizes financial planning and coordination. Understanding these distinctions helps in choosing the right career path or job search focus within the museum industry.

What are some unique challenges faced by accountants working in a museum setting?

Accountants in museums often navigate complex funding structures, including grants, donations, and government subsidies, each with specific reporting requirements. They must also track and value diverse assets, such as art collections, which can present unique accounting and insurance considerations. Collaboration with curators, development staff, and external auditors is common, making strong communication skills essential. Additionally, museum accountants may be involved in budgeting for exhibitions and educational programs, requiring an understanding of both financial management and the museum's mission.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Museum Accountant, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Museum Accountant, you need a solid background in accounting principles, financial reporting, and budgeting, typically supported by a degree in accounting or finance and relevant experience. Familiarity with accounting software (such as QuickBooks or Sage), fund accounting systems, and possibly a CPA certification are commonly required. Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and clear communication are essential for managing diverse funding sources and working with museum staff. These skills ensure accurate financial management, compliance with regulations, and effective support for the museum's mission and operations.
More about Museum Accounting jobs
What cities are hiring for Museum Accounting jobs? Cities with the most Museum Accounting job openings:
What states have the most Museum Accounting jobs? States with the most job openings for Museum Accounting jobs include:
Infographic showing various Museum Accounting job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 98% Full Time, 1% Part Time, and 1% Temporary. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $45,928 per year, or $22.1 per hour.

Vice President of Finance

AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM IN PHILA

Philadelphia, PA

$165K - $175K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 14 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Oversee the financial operations of the Museum, including planning, budgeting, accounting, and financial reporting.

  • Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal laws, grant requirements, and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.

  • Direct preparation, review, and analysis of monthly financial reports and manage the preparation for annual audits.


Job description

Benefits:
  • 401(k)
  • 401(k) matching
  • Competitive salary
  • Dental insurance
  • Flexible schedule
  • Health insurance
  • Paid time off
  • Vision insurance

Position Summary:
The Vice President of Finance oversees the financial operations of the Museum to include planning, budgeting, accounting, and financial reporting. Successful candidate will be someone who is able and ready to work with a diverse team of staff and volunteers in a fast paced environment. This position reports directly to the President & CEO.
Principal Duties And Responsibilities:

Financial Coordination
Ensures compliance with local, state, and federal laws, grant requirements, and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. To include keeping abreast of changes in laws and regulations, coordinating update of procedures to comply with these changes, and implementing new accounting pronouncements.
Prepare, with the Senior Staff, the Museums annual operating and capital budgets and mid-year budget revision. To include establishing schedule for budget planning, designing forms, analyzing departmental budget requests and revenue for reasonableness, establishing periodic reporting format for comparison of actual results to budget, analyzing budget variances and recommending corrective action as necessary. Serve as liaison to the Finance Committee of the Board, division heads, department heads, and treasurers on accounting/financial matters including the operating and capital budgets.
Direct preparation, review, and analysis of monthly financial reports to ensure that the Museums financial condition is in accordance with the guidelines established by the management and the Board. Provide regular financial reports to the Finance Committee to inform the committee members of the Museums financial status. Provide staff support to Finance Committee.
Manage the Finance Office to insure that the Museums accounting and financial functions are performed effectively. Select, manage, develop, and evaluate the Finance Manager to effectively meet divisional goals. Monitors compliance with the Auditors management letter.
Direct cash activities to maintain appropriate cash levels. Manager banking relationships to optimize service and minimize cost to the Museum.
Oversees revenue, accounts receivable and Cash receipts: deposits, processing of revenue transactions, performs month-end reconciliation procedures.
Oversees purchased, accounts payable and cash disbursements: processes invoices, issues checks, records checks in general ledger and cash disbursements journal, performs month-end reconciliation procedures.
Review reconciliations, journal entries, payroll, edit reports, and other internal reports to ensure accuracy and completeness of accounting records, research accounting related questions.
Establish and maintain accounting control over the Museums restricted and endowment funds.
Direct preparation for annual audit and other audit activities. Coordinate work of outside auditors to facilitate timely completion of work and control costs. This includes scheduling, participation in audit planning, preparation of account analyses, resolution of issues regarding differing interpretations of appropriate accounting treatment, preparation of financial statements and footnotes.
Manage preparation of tax returns and related reports to ensure compliance with governmental reporting requirements. Coordinate preparation of the financial portion of grant reports and billings to ensure compliance with requirements and policies of funding sources.
Manage the financial risk management program.
Contribute, as a member of the Executive leadership, to the policy making for and management of the Museum. Attend meetings of the Board of Directors and, as appropriate, of various Board Committees.
Continue personal professional development.

Qualifications, Skills, and Abilities Required:

Education/Experience Required:
BA/BS in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or comparable field
A minimum of 5-years increasingly responsible experience in all aspects of accounting and financial reporting, including experience with non-profit organizations
CPA required or 5 additional years accounting experience
A minimum of 5-years relevant accounting/finance and high-level management experience
Supervisory experience required
Skills & Abilities Required:
Expertise in Microsoft Office
Excellent written and oral communication, and analytical and organizational skills to foster effective working relationships at all levels
Muse have a proven ability to use diplomacy and respect confidentiality in sensitive situations
Must be a leader, able to provide operational level direction to the Museums financial activities
Ability to assess and implement opportunities for improvement in financial administration
Extensive use and knowledge of computerized accounting applications and spreadsheet software
Ability to develop solutions for Museum-wide financial problems and issues.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING CONDITIONS:
Must be able to remain in a stationary position for extended periods of time operating a computer and other offices productivity devices such as a calculator, telephone, and copy machine. Must be able to adapt to high pace environments occasionally moving/lifting light weight equipment and other work-related objects up to 25lbs. May have to work late nights, weekends and in outdoor weather.

Expected hours: 37.5 per week

Flexible work from home options available.