Senior Financial Accounting Analyst

University of Southern California • Los Angeles, CA

12h • $94,000 - $112,000 • 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 Financial Accounting Analyst 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. Position Overview The Senior Financial Accounting Analyst supports the Office of the Comptroller by assisting with accounting policy and procedures, financial reporting, and financial statement audit-related activities. This role plays a key part in preparing financial statements related to the university’s consolidated financial reporting, as well as supporting smaller financial statement audits required by federal laws and regulations. On a day-to-day basis, the Senior Financial Accounting Analyst supports month-end and year-end reporting activities, performs complex financial reporting and accounting analysis, and works closely with the Accounting and Financial Reporting Manager to complete various audits conducted by the university. The role requires researching accounting issues, understanding and applying Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), and assessing how new accounting pronouncements impact the university’s business. The Senior Financial Accounting Analyst works closely with the Health System enterprise to support monthly consolidation activities, intercompany transactions, and reconciliation efforts to ensure accurate alignment between entities. The role involves a combination of accounting and finance responsibilities, approximately 60% accounting and 40% finance, and requires the ability to manage recurring deadlines, balance ad hoc projects, and shift priorities as needed in a deadline-driven environment.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration or a related field.
• Three or more years’ experience in a Financial Accounting Analyst, Financial Analyst, Accounting Analyst, or Accountant role.
• Experience in financial analysis and reporting with knowledge of computer simulation and forecasting techniques.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree
• Five or more years’ experience in a Financial Accounting Analyst, Financial Analyst, Accounting Analyst, or Accountant role.
• Directly related experience in a university environment with knowledge of university systems and procedures.
• A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation is preferred. Candidates who are not yet licensed but possess extensive experience applying U.S. GAAP, have completed most CPA examination requirements, and are actively progressing toward CPA licensure are highly valued.
• 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

• Support month-end and year-end close activities, including preparing and analyzing financial data used in the university’s consolidated financial statements.
• Assist with financial statement audits, federal compliance audits, and other audits required by laws and regulations, including employee benefit and other specialized audits.
• Work closely with external auditors and consultants to ensure audits are completed accurately, efficiently, and in accordance with established deadlines.
• Perform complex financial and accounting analyses, including operating expense analysis, trend analysis, and reconciliation of balance sheet and income statement accounts. Presents results to senior management.
• Research accounting issues and accounting pronouncements; evaluate their impact on university operations and assist in determining appropriate accounting treatment in accordance with GAAP and nonprofit accounting standards.
• Support accounting policy and procedure efforts and assist with ensuring compliance with generally accepted accounting principles and applicable laws and regulations.
• Prepare and review account reconciliations; investigate variances, research discrepancies independently, and identify the underlying causes of issues.
• Support accounting for contributions made and received, including gifts and pledges, ensuring appropriate accounting treatment and documentation.
• Assist with lease accounting activities, particularly as they relate to Health System leasing arrangements.
• Manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously, including recurring annual deadlines and ad hoc analytical requests, while effectively prioritizing workload.
• Utilize financial systems and tools, including Workday Finance, Excel, and Microsoft Office applications, to produce regular and ad-hoc financial and operating reports. Develops conclusions and recommendations and communicates orally or in writing to management.
• Communicate clearly and professionally with internal stakeholders; demonstrate strong problem-solving, critical thinking, time management, flexibility, and integrity.
• 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