accountant Seal Beach, CA
Job description
About WestEd
As a community of over 1,000 researchers, practitioners, consultants, and administrative professionals from all backgrounds and life experiences, we are committed to making a qualitative difference in the lives of youth, children, and adults. We conduct and apply research, develop evidence-based solutions, and provide consulting services across the country in both rural and urban communities to improve equitable outcomes for individuals from infancy through adulthood. Serving as trusted partners in the areas of education, health, and justice, our teams enhance capacity within communities and school districts to prioritize impact — asking the right questions, customizing methodologies, developing relevant tools, and implementing best practices specific to a diverse range of stakeholder needs.
Furthering diversity, equity, and inclusion is core to who we are and how we work. We are committed to working with our clients to illuminate and address disparities, value and elevate diverse voices, and ensure equitable access to our resources and services. Please review our Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. Come and join us!
SPECIAL NOTICE REGARDING THE WORK LOCATION OF THIS POSITION—Although WestEd provides the option of working at one of its facilities for employees, many roles allow employees to choose to work remotely for their own convenience. The decision to allow remote work at the employee's convenience is based on the requirements of the position or project in question.
This role will work in a hybrid capacity, with three days working in the office and two days working at home each week. Please note this role will commence as an onsite role during a training period not to exceed three months.
Content Area or Department Brief Description:
The Accounting Department is entrusted with overseeing the meticulous management of the Agency's financial affairs and record-keeping processes. Our department's core responsibilities extend beyond maintaining precise accounting records. We handle crucial tasks such as preparing comprehensive financial reports and analysis for management, overseeing investment activities, engaging with auditors to maintain rigorous financial standards, processing employees' paychecks and travel/expense reimbursements, facilitating timely payments to vendors and consultants, ensuring compliance with tax withholdings and remittances, and managing billings and collections. In addition, the Department takes responsibility for sustaining the Agency's financial strength and for maintaining a healthy cash flow.
The Opportunity:
The Staff Accountant – AP is an entry level position within WestEd’s Accounting Department reporting to the Accounts Payable Manager. The Staff Accountant – AP has relevant experience in various types of accounting duties with a main emphasis on Accounts Payable.
Responsibilities:
- This position is responsible for the accurate and timely processing of complex and detailed transactions and reconciliations for Accounts Payable (AP)
- Concur expense maintenance, processing and provide customer service to employees as it relates to Concur questions or questions on expense payment.
- Review and process employee expense reports, ensuring that expenses are properly documented and coded and has proper authorization and approval prior to payment.
- Review transactions and validate invoices to ensure adherence to policies and procedures.
- Record travel airfare charged to corporate credit card, maintain detailed record of expenses, and apply to project budget code.
- Perform monthly reconciliations of travel related GL accounts.
- Conduct balance sheet reconciliation and reconcile accounts payable sub-ledger to the general ledger accounts monthly.
- Responsible for preparing analysis reports, processing of invoices and exceptions, and assisting with ad hoc projects as assigned.
- Independently perform all operational AP functions related to invoice processing or disbursements.
- Perform reconciliations and analysis with respect to AP.
- Managing all company accounting, cost accounting and government contract costs-related compliance functions, including the initiation, preparation and maintenance of all company accounting policies and procedures.
- Creating accounting applications and reports to support existing and new financial and other accounting reporting and analysis requirements.
- Coordinating all external (financial and government) audits and audit requests
- Interacts cohesively and effectively with others, focusing upon the achievement of organizational goals and objectives through diligence and teamwork.
- Abides by the organization’s compliance program and requirements.
What We’re Looking For:
- Bachelor’s degree in accounting.
- 3+ years of experience in accounts payable and general accounting.
- Must have strong AP experience and experience with processing expense reports.
- Strong knowledge of accounts payable processes, including invoice processing, payment processing, and reconciliations.
- Ability to interpret a wide variety of written rules and regulations, including knowledge of sales and use tax and 1099 reporting.
- Demonstrated working knowledge of accounting and GAAP procedures related to the daily operational duties of Accounts Payable.
- Knowledge of Deltek Costpoint and Concur
- Proficient in the use of Excel including vlookup tables and pivot tables; BOX, Smartsheet, MS Office Suite
- Strong skills using and understanding the flow of transactions in an integrated and automated payroll accounting system.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to work in a diverse work environment.
- Excellent problem solving/judgment skills, and high level of attention to details and accuracy.
- Ability to work as a team member and work around multiple tasks and deadlines with different staff.
- High-quality customer service skills working with internal/organizational clients as well as external clients.Must be a self-starter, an independent thinker, action-oriented, self-motivated, and resourceful with strong attention to detail.
- Note: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. Successful candidates must be authorized to work in the United States.
SALARY AND BENEFITS:
The full salary range for this position, WestEd level D, is $63,200 to $94,800 but WestEd does not typically hire at or near the top of the salary range. The typical hiring range for this role is $63,200 to $79,000. The actual offer takes into account multiple factors including but not limited to education; experience; internal equity, and other organizational needs.
In addition to the base salary, benefits include:
- 15% contribution toward retirement effective day 1 of employment
- Pre-tax Flexible Spending Accounts
- All health/welfare benefits are effective first of the month following hire date
- PTO: 3 weeks vacation (increases to 4 weeks beginning the 4th year of employment), paid holidays, and 12 days paid sick leave per year
- Life Insurance: value of 3x gross salary
- Opportunities for annual merit-based performance increases + annual incentives
- Professional development opportunities & mentorship program
For more detail about our benefits, go to:
https://www.wested.org/work-at-wested/benefits/
Committed to the diversity of race, ethnicities, perspectives, and opportunities, WestEd offers a variety of social and professional learning communities, such as Employee Resource groups, the Data Intelligence, Insights, and Innovation PLC, and the WestEd Parent Community, just to name a few. We hope you’ll consider joining us to build better schools, communities, learning pathways, and more! #LI-Remote #LI-Hybrid
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)
