Senior Accountant

University of Southern California • Los Angeles, CA

23h • $41 - $49 • Hybrid

About The Position

Capitalizing on over 140 years of history and tradition in downtown Los Angeles, the University of Southern California (USC) is looking for skilled, motivated professionals to help forge the future of higher education. The USC Finance Division, Office of the Comptroller, is seeking a Senior Accountant to join its team. Candidates considering this role will be joining the USC Office of the Comptroller, a central university office that provides leadership and oversight for institution-wide accounting and financial operations. The Comptroller’s Office plays a critical role in ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and compliance of USC’s financial records, supporting the university’s academic, research, and operational mission. Key areas of responsibility within the Office of the Comptroller include accounting policies and procedures, financial reporting, chart of accounts management, gift fund accounting, investment and endowment accounting, plant and trust accounting, tax accounting, financial systems administration, and payroll services. The Senior Accountant role supports these efforts with a specific focus on fixed asset accounting and capital construction activities, working collaboratively with internal partners across the university. Position Overview: The Senior Accountant is responsible for supporting the university’s property, plant, and equipment (PP&E) accounting and reporting processes. This role plays a key part in maintaining accurate accounting records related to capital construction projects and plant assets, ensuring compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and university policies. On a day-to-day basis, the Senior Accountant monitors and reconciles accounting activity, prepares schedules and reports, assists with month-end and year-end close activities, and collaborates closely with the Capital Construction Department and other internal stakeholders. The role ensures that capital assets are properly capitalized, placed into service, and reflected accurately in the university’s financial statements. In addition, the Senior Accountant supports audit activities, identifies discrepancies or process gaps, and contributes to process improvements that enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of PP&E-related financial reporting.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Three or more years’ experience in an accountant role.
• Strong knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles including fund accounting.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree
• Five years’ experience in an accountant role.
• Progressively responsible experience as an accountant with knowledge of university financial systems and knowledge of computers and financial applications.
• In addition, the successful candidate must also demonstrate, through ideas, words, and actions, a strong commitment to USC’s Unifying Values of integrity, excellence, community, well-being, open communication, and accountability.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and monitor accounting records related to plant, capital construction, or other assigned segments of the university’s financial system, ensuring accuracy and appropriate supporting documentation.
• Perform monthly and periodic reconciliations of PP&E-related accounts to the general ledger.
• Review financial reports and schedules for accuracy; identify discrepancies and follow up with internal departments to resolve issues.
• Prepare, review, and post journal entries in support of month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close activities.
• Ensure compliance with GAAP and university accounting policies related to property, plant, and equipment.
• Collaborate closely with the Capital Construction Department and other internal partners regarding capital projects, asset capitalization, and construction-in-progress activity.
• Track assets placed into service and ensure timely and accurate capitalization.
• Prepare schedules and documentation to support internal and external audit requests.
• Assist with ad-hoc accounting analyses, financial reporting requests, and special projects that may be requested by the Office of the Comptroller.
• Contribute to ongoing process improvements related to fixed asset accounting, reconciliations, and reporting accuracy.
• Compiles and organizes data for use in budget forecasts and development.
• Evaluates actual performance to projections and develops conclusions and recommendations addressing variances.
• Advises and consults with management concerning the accounting and financial implications of existing and projected department activities.
• Maintains currency with laws and regulations governing accounting policies and procedures.
• Advises on university financial policies and procedures, agency laws and regulations, and generally accepted accounting principles.
• Performs other related duties as assigned or requested. The university reserves the right to add or change duties at any time.

Benefits

• USC offers a wide variety of benefits and programs that support our staff and their families. This support advocates work-life balance and employee well-being.
• USC employees are connected by the traditions and history that make us proud to be Trojans, and the work culture thrives on mutual respect, trust, and synergy amongst all its members.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level