Senior Accountant

Senior Accountant

Business Affairs: Financial Management Services (FMS), Redwood City, California, United States

Finance

Post Date Feb 01, 2024

Requisition # 102141

Stanford University seeks people committed to excellence and to improving our world and, in turn, is dedicated to supporting its employees as they develop their careers and enrich their lives.

Stanford's Business Affairs provides administrative policies, infrastructure, systems, services, and support for the benefit of the university community.

Financial Management Services (FMS), a department within Business Affairs, is responsible for creating an ecosystem that promotes innovative and sound financial administration policies and practices that balance controls, compliance, and customer service. FMS is primarily responsible for financial policy oversight, quality assurance, and financial services at Stanford University and its affiliated entities. It also serves as a liaison to the hospitals and the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (SLAC). The FMS work environment is grounded by core values that include adapting to change, engaging in curiosity, celebrating accomplishments, and encouraging an inclusive environment where everyone is valued, respected, and can thrive.

JOB PURPOSE:

Investment Accounting (IA) is integral to safeguarding the University's most significant financial assets, playing a vital role in performing the accounting service to a diverse portfolio of investments that serve as a primary revenue source for the University. With involvement across various asset classes, including cash, derivatives, fixed income, public and private equity, hedge funds, venture capital, real estate, and other alternative asset classes, IA covers a broad spectrum of investment accounting and operational activities.

This newly created and distinctive position requires involvement in real estate and financial investment domains. As a key member reporting to the IA manager, your responsibilities span a range of tasks.

Accounting and Reconciliation

The responsibilities include accurately recording investment transactions in the financial system, including performing complex multi-system reconciliations, identifying, investigating, and resolving discrepancies, and ensuring adherence to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), regulatory requirements, and financial reporting requirements.

Compliance and Risk Management

The role focuses on designing, implementing, and monitoring robust internal controls within the assigned responsibility areas to ensure accurate financial reporting.

Other Duties

This position may involve undertaking special projects related to the department. The role involves providing recommendations for enhancing practices, processes, and systems.

This role places a strong emphasis on collaboration, necessitating close interaction with departments within the Controller's Office, other departments within FMS, and various university units such as Stanford Management Company and Stanford Land Building Real Estate. Success in this position hinges on possessing essential traits like flexibility, attention to detail, and genuine enthusiasm for the work, reinforcing the collaborative and dynamic nature of the role.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES WILL INCLUDE:

• Perform complex and detailed reconciliations, closure processes, critical analyses, and other operational work. Identify, prioritize, and resolve complex financial issues that may span multiple areas; identify underlying issues; recognize exceptions; recommend solutions. Review and perform periodic analysis of complex general ledger account balances and transactions for reasonableness, accuracy, and compliance with GAAP.

• Maintain and enhance compliance with internal controls by recommending changes to ensure all transactions are executed and documented properly; proactively identify internal control weaknesses and system and process improvements; communicate to management and operate in a lead capacity in making remedial changes to tighten and enhance internal controls and mitigate risk; assist the manager in coordination and development of the annual operating plan and other projects.

• Integral involvement in the external audit of the University's financial statements; assist in the preparation of year-end financial statements and supporting schedules and be a primary point of contact for the auditors.

• Research accounting guidance and establish workflows for new investment types and transactions.

• Contribute to department and organization strategy; assist in the development of change management plans and materials as needed. Actively participate as a member of a project team to support new initiatives. Make decisions determining an approach to managing and completing processes.

TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THIS POSITION, YOU WILL BRING:

Education & Experience:

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Business, Finance, or Economics and eight plus years of applicable experience, or combination of education and relevant work experience.

Master's degree and/or CPA designation a plus.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Broad understanding of various investment products and complex instruments. Working knowledge of investment operations, custody bank, mutual fund accounting environment, and ancillary asset management service providers.

• Self-starter and demonstrated capability to gain the respect of others, influence people of varying levels of authority in multiple organizations, and elicit cooperation without direct authority.

• Advanced proficiency in business applications, such as Microsoft Office, especially Excel.

• Ability to interpret and apply advanced accounting knowledge and understanding of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.

• Strong communication skills, including the ability to clearly and effectively communicate information to internal audiences and client groups.

• Project management skills and ability to lead and contribute as part of a project team.

I N ADDITION, PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS INCLUDE:

• Experience with accounting for investments in higher education or related environment.

• Demonstrated knowledge of, and experience with, ERP systems, preferably Oracle, with proven ability to apply knowledge to understand new systems and processes.

• General understanding of SQL or relational database knowledge to be able to extract data and perform analysis.

• Attention to detail, accuracy, and the ability to prioritize multiple tasks to meet deadlines and customer service response standards.

• Proven ability to apply knowledge to analyze and interpret business policies and external regulations and translate them into compliant and efficient accounting processes.

• Ability to observe trends in data, recommending and helping to implement solutions to increase efficiency, effectiveness, and accuracy of data.

• Strong customer-oriented approach to managing work.

• System knowledge ( relational database, SQL and/or AI).

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of his or her job.

The expected pay range for this position is $101,000 to $130,000 per annum.

Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location and external market pay for comparable jobs.

At Stanford University, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive rewards package. The Cardinal at Work website (~~~) provides detailed information on Stanford's extensive range of benefits and rewards offered to employees. Specifics about the rewards package for this position may be discussed during the hiring process.

HOW TO APPLY:

We invite you to apply for this position by clicking on the "Apply Online" link. Please submit an online application, resume, and cover letter.

WHY STANFORD IS FOR YOU:

Stanford University has revolutionized the way we live and how it enriches the world. Supporting this mission is our diverse and dedicated 17,000 staff. We seek talent driven to impact the future of our legacy. Our culture and unique perks empower you with:

• Freedom to grow . We offer career development programs, tuition reimbursement, or audit a course. Join a TedTalk, film screening, or listen to a renowned author or global leader speak.

• A caring culture . We provide superb retirement plans, generous time-off, and family care resources.

• A healthier you . Climb our rock wall or choose from hundreds of health or fitness classes at our world-class exercise facilities. We also provide excellent health care benefits.

• Discovery and fun . Stroll through historic sculptures, trails, and museums.

• Enviable resources . Enjoy free commuter programs, ridesharing incentives, discounts and more!

• Redwood City . Our new Stanford Redwood City campus, which opened in 2019, is the workplace for approximately 2,700 staff, including FMS, whose jobs are important to supporting the university's mission. The campus will offer amenities such as onsite cafes and a dining pavilion, a high-end fitness facility with an outdoor pool, and a childcare center for Stanford families.

The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.

Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact Stanford University Human Resources ~~~. For all other inquiries, please submit acontact form.

Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Additional Information

• Schedule: Full-time

• Job Code: 4443

• Employee Status: Regular

• Grade: J

• Requisition ID: 102141

• Work Arrangement : Hybrid Eligible