Investment Operations and Accounting Manager

Chapman University Careers•Irvine, CA

About The Position

Under the direction of the Chief Investment Officer, the Investment Office manages the University’s approximately $1 billion endowment, stewarding assets that provide essential, long‑term financial support for current and future generations of students and scholars. The endowment is structured to achieve strong long‑term, risk‑adjusted returns while delivering a reliable and sustainable stream in support of the University’s mission. Reporting to the Chief Investment Officer ( CIO ), the Investment Operations and Accounting Manager ( IOAM ) is a key member of the Investment Office, responsible for the integrity, accuracy, and transparency of investment operations, accounting, and reporting for a complex, multi‑asset portfolio encompassing public and private investments. The IOAM oversees end‑to-end investment operations and accounting, including trade settlement, cash and liquidity management, reconciliations, valuations, financial reporting, and audit coordination, while serving as a primary liaison with custodians, investment advisors, fund managers, and auditors. In this role, the IOAM provides advanced investment accounting, reconciliation, and financial reporting and analysis for the endowment fund in support of financial statement preparation, audit requirements, and University‑wide strategic initiatives. The position requires deep expertise across investment operations and accounting, including trade lifecycle management, private investment operations, cash management and liquidity analysis, fiscal year‑end close and audit schedule preparation, and the ability to analyze and resolve complex accounting and valuation matters while collaborating effectively across internal teams and external partners. This position does require a clear criminal background check as well as a satisfactory credit check.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Economics, or a related field required.
Minimum of 5–8 years of progressive experience in investment accounting and operations, fund administration, or a related financial role.
Demonstrated experience supporting multi-asset portfolios, including public securities and private investments (e.g., private equity, private credit, real assets).
Experience working with custodians, investment advisors, fund managers, and external auditors.
Strong investment accounting and financial reporting skills, including reconciliations, journal entries, and valuation support.
Proficiency with investment accounting systems, custodial and bank platforms, portfolio management systems, and Microsoft Excel (advanced functions and analysis).
Ability to interpret partnership agreements, capital call notices, distribution statements, and valuation reports.
Solid understanding of investment operations workflows, trade lifecycle, and cash management practices.
Working knowledge of applicable accounting standards and regulatory requirements (e.g., GAAP , FASB guidance, IRS rules, UPMIFA , higher education or nonprofit reporting) applicable to a non-profit institutional multi-asset class portfolio.
Exceptional attention to detail with the ability to maintain accuracy across complex, high-volume investment data.
Strong quantitative, analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to investigate discrepancies, assess operational/financial risk and recommend solutions.
Effective written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to effectively explain technical concepts.
Strong interpersonal, organizational, communication, customer-service, team-working and problem-solving skills within a diverse group of internal and external stakeholders.
Strong work ethic, reliability, dependability, and ability to function effectively and collaboratively as part of a team.
Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and operate effectively in a collaborative, deadline-driven environment.
High level of integrity, professionalism, and judgment in handling confidential and sensitive information.

Responsibilities

Oversee day-to-day operational, administrative, and control activities supporting the execution, settlement, accounting, and reporting of investment transactions.
Ensure all investment trades are accurately captured, confirmed, and settled in a timely manner.
Coordinate with investment advisors, custodians, and fund managers to execute capital calls, subscriptions, redemptions, distributions, and related cash movements in compliance with internal policies and external regulations.
Oversee daily and long-term cash management activities to ensure sufficient liquidity to meet capital calls and operating needs.
Develop and monitor cash forecasts; evaluate sources and uses of funds across the portfolio.
Perform ongoing liquidity analysis across public and private investments, including stress scenarios and alignment with spending policy, capital commitments, and strategic initiatives.
Lead preparation of subscription materials and operational execution of private equity, private credit, real assets, and other alternative investments across the full investment lifecycle from subscription to capital calls, valuations, distributions, and exits.
Review and assess fund manager communications for operational and accounting impacts, escalating material issues and recommendations to the CIO .
Maintain strong operational controls and documentation to support transparency, compliance, and audit readiness.
Perform daily and periodic reconciliations of trades, positions, cash and unfunded commitment balances, and holdings across internal systems, custodian records, and the general ledger.
Review and reconcile manager statements, capital activity notices, and valuation reports; prepare and post journal entries in accordance with applicable accounting standards and internal policies.
Investigate and resolve discrepancies to ensure accuracy, completeness, and data integrity across systems.
Conduct valuation analysis, including market value calculations, fair value assessments, benchmark comparisons, and related compliance and audit support.
Prepare investment, holdings, cash flow, and activity reports.
Gather and report data for peer surveys and industry reporting initiatives.
Lead investment accounting activities related to fiscal year-end close and financial statement preparation for the endowment fund.
Serve as the primary point of contact for external auditors on investment-related matters, preparing and ensuring timely delivery of schedules, documentation, and analyses.
Ensure compliance with applicable accounting standards and regulatory requirements (including GAAP , FASB , IRS , and higher education reporting standards) and support internal control reviews.
Assist CIO with preparation of materials and reports for the Investment Committee and other internal and external stakeholders.
Maintain currency with evolving accounting principles and investment operations best practices.
Continuously evaluate and recommend improvements to processes, controls, and systems supporting investment operations and reporting.
Provide analytical and project support related to investment activities and perform other duties as assigned.