"Finance Specialist – Accountant"

SCHOOL/UNIT DESCRIPTION:

Vice Provost and Dean of Research / Office of Technology Licensing: The Office of Technology Licensing (OTL) was established in 1970 to manage the intellectual property assets of Stanford University. OTL evaluates, markets, and licenses technology owned by the University. OTL's mission is to encourage effective technology transfer for the public benefit as well as generating royalty income for Stanford to benefit research and education. OTL is one of the country's most active offices in the field of technology transfer from the university to industry. Our staff, most of whom are professionals engaged directly in licensing, manages over 3,000 active dockets.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Office of Technology Licensing at Stanford University seeks to fill one Finance Specialist – Accountant position. This role will, under the direct supervision of the manager/director, perform moderately complex accounting activities and functions, including monitoring accounts, preparing documentation, expenditure reconciliations and reviews, revenue reporting/accounting, purchases and reimbursements, general ledger transactions, and journal entries. All accounting tasks are specific to licensing (patent) income and university setting.

The position is open to both hybrid and remote options. Hybrid roles are based at a Stanford work location, with the option for a hybrid schedule subject to operational needs. This typically requires a regular on-site presence of two to four days per week, or an equivalent amount of time each month. Remote roles are open to candidates located anywhere in the United States.

This is a 100% FTE, benefits-eligible position. For consideration, please submit a resume. All final candidates must complete a background check.

CORE DUTIES:

• Review, process, gather, and compile accounting transactions and documents for completeness, accuracy, and compliance. Contribute to the development of analyses to be used for key activities or decision-making.
• Identify, prioritize, and resolve accounting issues; probe beyond stated situations; identify underlying issues; recognize exceptions; perform preliminary analysis.
• Run, maintain, reconcile, review, combine, analyze, and validate financial data sets, utilizing financial reports, financial databases, and key financial information often from multiple systems. Assist in the preparation of basic management information reports.
• Identify and resolve incorrect journal entries, data anomalies, deviations from established procedures, and unusual issues.
• Collect data and perform research on the details of transactions. Ensure work complies with complex internal policies and external regulations, which may require interpretation.
• Participate as a member of a project team and contribute to the change management strategy through communication and collaboration with others.
• Recommend, assist, test, or implement process streamlining, system improvements, or workflow changes.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of desktop procedures and process documentation for the area of responsibility.
• Serve as a liaison to other departments to resolve accounting-related issues.
• May train, coach, and review the work of other staff, as needed. Contribute primarily through applying individual expertise.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Education & Experience:

Associate degree plus two years of applicable experience, or a combination of education and relevant work experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Proficiency in basic business applications, such as Microsoft Office; user knowledge of Excel.
• Basic knowledge of accounting systems and the internet; computer literacy.
• Understanding of and ability to apply accounting skills and concepts.
• Ability to draft professional e-mails, memos, business letters, and reports, and to clearly and effectively communicate information to internal audiences and client groups.
• Ability to learn project management skills and to participate as part of a project team.

Strongly desired Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Financial Accounting Knowledge: Understanding of accounting principles, financial statements, and relevant regulations.
• Analytical Skills: The ability to analyze financial data and trends is crucial for identifying areas of improvement, making informed financial decisions, and ensuring accurate financial reporting.
• Attention to Detail: Given the precision required in financial work, a high level of attention to detail is necessary to avoid errors in financial statements and reports. This includes a thorough review of transactions and documentation.
• Software Proficiency: Proficiency in accounting software and financial management tools is important. Ability to learn and adjust to new software preferred.
• Communication Skills: Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, smooth interacting with team members, presenting financial information to non-finance stakeholders, and ensuring clear and transparent communication within the organization.
• Comfort with Non-Accounting Finance Admin Tasks: In addition to traditional accounting duties, a finance specialist should be comfortable and adept at handling non-accounting finance administrative tasks.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Frequently stand/walk, sit, perform desk-based computer tasks, and use a telephone.
• Occasionally write by hand, twist/bend/stoop/squat, reach/work above shoulders, grasp lightly/fine manipulation, grasp forcefully, lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh up to 10 pounds, sort/file paperwork.
• Rarely kneel/crawl, operate foot and/or hand controls.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Travel on campus to schools/units, out of town.

For On-site or Hybrid positions:

The expected pay range for this position is $89,192 to $95,000 per annum/hour.

For Remote positions (or positions open to the possibility of being remote):

This remote role is open to candidates anywhere in the United States. Stanford University has five Regional Pay Structures. The compensation for this position will be based on the location of the successful candidate.

The expected pay range for this position is $71,129 to $87,717 per annum/hour.