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Senior Accountant

San Francisco, CA

About the California Academy of Sciences

The California Academy of Sciences is a globally renowned scientific and cultural institution located in the heart of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. Home to a world-class planetarium, aquarium, research center, and natural history museum—all under one living roof—our mission is to regenerate the natural world through science, learning, and collaboration.

Our extensive collections span plants, animals, fossils, and cultural artifacts from across the globe and throughout history. We are a diverse team of leading biodiversity scientists, educators, storytellers, designers, and communicators who work collaboratively to advance knowledge and inspire action through science and storytelling.

When you join the California Academy of Sciences, you become part of a mission-driven community that values curiosity, collaboration, and innovation. Whether you're working behind the scenes in research or engaging the public on the museum floor, your work will help connect people to the natural world and empower them to protect it.

About the Opportunity

Reporting to the Senior Manager, Financial Accounting, this position focuses on ensuring proper revenue recognition and CAPEX vs. OPEX reporting according to US GAAP, preparing complex journal entries and reconciliations, and reviewing the work of junior members of the team. The Senior Accountant will collaborate with other teams, such as Development, Sales, FP&A, Financial and Operational Accounting, and our external financial statement auditors

Organizational Culture
Join a team dedicated to the Academy’s mission, vision and values! Currently, the Academy has a new strategic plan including three initiatives – Hope for Reefs, Thriving California, and Islands 2030 – that leverage biodiversity science, environmental learning, and collaborative engagement to regenerate fragile ecosystems around the world. Learn more at https://www.calacademy.org/about-us/major-initiatives.

We hope you are inspired by what we do and are excited to contribute to our mission. The mission of the California Academy of Sciences is to regenerate the natural world through science, learning, and collaboration. The Academy is looking for candidates who do great work, and we know they may come from a number of different backgrounds and experiences. We encourage you to apply even if you do not believe you meet every qualification for the position.

This position is based in San Francisco, California. Staff are currently expected to work from the Academy offices at least 2-3 times per week, which may fluctuate based on business needs. Please do not apply if you are not able to work onsite. 

Key Responsibilities

  • Participate in the period-end close procedures, to include the preparation of general ledger journal entries and supporting documentation that is audit ready.
  • Manage the period-end close process, to include providing the close calendar to the accounting team, coordinating activities related to the close process, and facilitating the monthly close meetings with the Accounting and FP&A teams.
  • Review journal entries, account reconciliations, and ad hoc analyses/projects prepared by junior members of the team.
  • Review period-end financial results and variance analysis as compared to budget, prior year, year-end, and prior quarter.
  • Develop and maintain the account reconciliation process. Ensure that all account reconciliation procedures comply with US GAAP. Process must include adequate documentation such as account reconciliation summary and documentation of accounting entries for manager/supervisor review.
  • Prepare account reconciliations and identify/resolve reconciling items in a timely manner.
  • Prepare schedules and reports in support of the annual and interim audit; all schedules prepared must be adequately documented.
  • Serve as the primary liaison to external auditors for interim and year-end audit work, coordinate all audit requests, and ensure that all deliverables for the audit are met in a timely manner.
  • Assist in the preparation of the quarterly and annual financial statements and annual tax Form 990.
  • Assist in the preparation of the annual budget and periodic forecasts for assigned line items within the Accounting Department.
  • Develop accounting procedures for new processes and prepare procedures/guidelines for other departments to ensure compliance with company policies and US GAAP. Once the process is finalized, responsible for communicating to appropriate users and business partners.
  • Identify and implement process improvements and strive to follow best practices to enhance the quality, efficiency, and effectiveness of individual and team work products.
  • Work on any accounting, financial project/analysis, or ad-hoc research as required.  
  • Perform other job-related duties as assigned.
  • Supervise and lead the work of junior staff.

Qualifications: A successful candidate will have the following:

EXPERIENCE and/or EDUCATION:

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Business, or Finance-related field.
  • Minimum of 3+ years of relevant accounting experience in either public accounting or a combination of public accounting and corporate accounting experience.
  • CPA license (preferred) or working towards passing the CPA exam.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

  • Moderate understanding of complex accounting concepts, including a good working knowledge of US GAAP to include revenue recognition, contingencies, balance sheet classifications, etc.
  • Intermediate knowledge of Excel, required.
  • Ability to work as part of a team or collaborate well with team members and external collaborators (if applicable) to accomplish mutual goals.
  • Ability to work efficiently and communicate with staff, cross-functional teams, and external customers from different identities and experiences.
  • Ability to bring new ideas, create inventive solutions, and find efficiencies to transform manual or detailed processes.
  • Demonstrated commitment to equity and inclusion.

Compensation and Benefits:
The salary range for this position is $100,000 - $113,000. Actual compensation will be commensurate with the final candidate's qualifications and experience, including skills, knowledge, relevant education, certifications and aligned with the internal peer group. We believe in fair and equitable compensation practices and are committed to providing competitive salaries within the industry and market standards. The Academy offers a total compensation package that emphasizes both base salary and comprehensive benefits based on the hours per week worked. Further details regarding compensation and benefits will be discussed during the interview process.

Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours per week

How to Apply:

Interested candidates should submit a resume and application through our Careers Page portal.

The California Academy of Sciences will give full consideration for employment to all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance (SF Police Code, Article 49).

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