Are you enthusiastic, highly motivated, and have a strong work ethic? If yes, come join our team! At Cathay Bank – we strive to provide a caring culture that supports your aspirations and success. We believe people are our most valuable asset and we proudly foster growth and development empowering you to achieve your professional goals. We have thrived for 60 years and persevered through many economic cycles due to our team members’ drive and optimism. Together we can make a difference in the financial future of our communities.
Apply today!
What our team members are saying:
Learn more about us at cathaybank.com
GENERAL SUMMARY
The Assistant Controller – Accounting Operations is a key leader within the Finance organization, responsible for overseeing the Cathay’s core accounting functions and ensuring the accuracy and integrity of the financial close process. This role manages day‑to‑day accounting operations, leads the general ledger and reconciliation framework, and drives continuous improvement in processes and controls.
DIRECT REPORTS
The position will manage a team.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Lead and manage period-end close processes, ensuring timely, accurate, and well‑controlled financial results.
- Oversee the general ledger, including review and approval of journal entries, accruals, and reconciliations.
- Own the reconciliation framework for key balance sheet accounts, ensuring completeness, accuracy, and timely resolution of discrepancies.
- Review and approve accounting activity across operational areas such as loans, deposits, investments, fixed assets, prepaid assets, and other core financial statement categories.
- Oversee subledger integrity and ensure proper integration between operational systems and the general ledger.
- Prepare monthly internal financial reporting packages and provide meaningful analysis and insights to management.
- Maintain and enhance internal controls over accounting operations, supporting SOX compliance and remediation efforts.
- Partner with Treasury, Credit, Operations, and Risk teams to ensure accurate accounting for loan activity, deposits, investments, derivatives, and other financial instruments.
- Lead monthly lease accounting processes and support CDI and solar ITC impairment analyses.
- Oversee accounting and reporting for the Bank’s subsidiaries, ensuring proper consolidation and documentation.
- Support system governance for accounting platforms, including GL configuration, integration testing, and process automation initiatives.
- Identify and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and control within accounting operations.
- Coordinate with internal and external auditors, preparing and reviewing requested documentation.
- Lead, mentor, and develop accounting staff by setting goals, managing performance, and providing ongoing training and support.
- Serve as a key backup to the Corporate Controller for operational accounting responsibilities and leadership coverage.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance.
- Experience: 7-10 years of progressive accounting experience with including financial close and general ledger oversight. Team management experience required. Banking and/or public accounting experience is highly preferred.
- Skills/Ability: Advanced knowledge of Excel and experience with PeopleSoft GL, and IBS is highly preferred. Must be organized, detail and deadline oriented, be able to plan and prioritize, have strong verbal and written communication skills and be responsible and self-motivated.
OTHER DETAILS
$150k – $190k / year
Pay determined based on job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and location.
This position may be eligible for a discretionary bonus.
Cathay Bank offers its full-time employees a competitive benefits package which is a significant part of their total compensation. It is our goal to provide employees with a comprehensive benefits package to fit their needs which includes, coverage for medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, long-term disability insurance, and flexible spending accounts (FSAs), health saving account (HSA) with company contributions, voluntary coverages, and 401(k).
Cathay Bank may collect personal information from potential job candidates and applicants. For more information on how we handle personal information and your applicable rights, please review our California Job Applicant Privacy Policy.
Cathay Bank is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. We welcome applications for employment from all qualified candidates, regardless of race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, citizenship, gender, national origin, religion, age, sex (including pregnancy and related medical conditions, childbirth and breastfeeding), reproductive health decision-making, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information or characteristics, disability or medical condition, military status or status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by applicable law.
Click here to view the “Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal” Poster:
Poster- English
Poster- Spanish
Poster- Chinese Traditional
Poster- Chinese Simplified
Cathay Bank endeavors to make www.CathayBank.com accessible to any and all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact, Mickey Hsu, FVP, Employee Relations Manager, at (626) 582-7370 or [email protected]. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in accounting or finance
- 7-10 years of progressive accounting experience
- Experience with financial close and general ledger oversight
- Team management experience
- Advanced knowledge of Excel
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Organization, attention to detail, deadline orientation, and ability to plan and prioritize
- Banking and/or public accounting experience
- Experience with PeopleSoft GL and IBS
Cathay Bank Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Cathay Bank and has not been reviewed or approved by Cathay Bank.
-
Healthcare Strength — Health coverage includes medical, dental, and vision with the employer covering a majority of premiums. Basic life and disability insurance are also provided.
-
Retirement Support — A 401(k) with company match is available, with the match described as in line with many peer banks. Retirement planning support is also highlighted.
-
Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits — An Employee Assistance Program and a structured wellness program with incentives are offered, alongside entertainment and bank‑fee discounts. External recognition highlights ongoing investment in well‑being and total rewards.
Cathay Bank Insights
Similar Jobs
What We Do
About us More than 60 years ago, we opened our doors at Cathay Bank to serve the growing Chinese American community in Los Angeles. We helped our clients put down new roots with cars and homes. We supported their businesses, which continue to sustain generations. We worked with them to cultivate communities united by a shared drive to create and build lives in Southern California. Over time, we’ve expanded along with our clients. Today, we’re a subsidiary of Cathay General Bancorp (NASDAQ: CATY), a publicly traded bank holding company that has grown to $20.9 billion in assets as of December 31, 2021. We operate in nine states across the United States, in California, New York, Washington, Illinois, Texas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, and New Jersey, and have outposts in Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai and Taipei. While the people we serve have evolved and changed, the spirit of what makes up our clients remain the same. Everyone believes in the power of initiative and perseverance. Each aims to achieve what’s possible. All strive to live their best lives. And we’re happy to work alongside them – providing the tools and services to get them where they want to go. Member FDIC Equal Housing Lender









