Finance Specialist - Reporting and Accountant

Overview Finance Specialist – Reporting and Accountant Dean of Research, Redwood City, California, United States New Finance posting in the Office of Technology Licensing (OTL) at Stanford University. Requisition #108116. Position Summary The Office of Technology Licensing at Stanford University seeks to fill one Finance Specialist – Reporting and Accountant position. This role supports the Office of Technology Licensing (OTL) by managing the accuracy and integrity of licensing-related financial records, with primary responsibility for reviewing and entering fully executed license agreements into OTL’s database (4D), configuring license terms that trigger downstream billing and compliance actions, and supporting the creation and maintenance of Royalty Sharing Agreements (RSAs) to ensure accurate and timely distributions to inventors, schools, departments, and other recipients. The position works collaboratively across OTL Finance, Licensing, and Operations teams and serves as a key point of contact for resolving questions and escalating complex reconciliation issues to senior finance leadership as needed. In addition, this role produces high-quality reports used for operational decision-making and stakeholder communications. The position supports technical reporting and analytics as well as core accounting execution, including building and maintaining reports sourced from multiple systems (e.g., Tableau, 4D, Oracle, and SeRA), producing royalty distribution and financial management reports, and supporting month-end close through Oracle journals and interdepartmental transfers. The position is open to remote options. Remote roles are open to candidates located anywhere in the United States. This is a 100% FTE, benefits-eligible position. For consideration, please submit resume. All final candidates must complete a background check. Core Duties Review, process, gather, and compile accounting transactions and documents for completeness, accuracy, and compliance. Contribute to development of analyses to be used for key activities or decision making. Identify, prioritize, and resolve accounting issues; probe beyond stated situation; identify underlying issues; recognize exceptions; perform preliminary analysis. Run, maintain, reconcile, review, combine, analyze and validate financial data sets, utilizing financial reports, financial databases, and key financial information often from multiple systems. Assist in the preparation of basic management information reports. Identify and resolve incorrect journal entries, data anomalies, deviations from established procedures, and unusual issues. Collect data and perform research on details of transactions. Ensure work complies with complex internal policies and external regulations which may require interpretation. Participate as a member of a project team and contribute to change management strategy through communication and collaboration with others. Recommend, assist, test, or implement process streamlining, system improvements or work flow changes. Contribute to development and maintenance of desktop procedures and process documentation for area of responsibility. Serve as a liaison to other departments to resolve accounting-related issues. May train, coach, and review the work of other staff, as needed. Contribute primarily through applying individual expertise. Minimum Requirements Education & Experience : Associate degree plus two years of applicable experience, or combination of education and relevant work experience. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities : Proficiency in basic business applications, such as Microsoft Office; user knowledge of Excel. Basic knowledge of accounting systems and the internet; computer literacy. Understanding of and ability to apply accounting skills and concepts. Ability to draft professional e-mails, memos, business letters, and reports, and to clearly and effectively communicate information to internal audiences and client groups. Ability to learn project management skills and to participate as part of a project team. Strongly Desired Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities : Financial Accounting Knowledge: Understanding of accounting principles, financial statements, and relevant regulations. Analytical Skills: The ability to analyze financial data and trends is crucial for identifying areas of improvement, making informed financial decisions, and ensuring accurate financial reporting. Attention to Detail: Given the precision required in financial work, a high level of attention to detail is necessary to avoid errors in financial statements and reports. This includes a thorough review of transactions and documentation. Software Proficiency: Proficiency in accounting software and financial management tools is important. Ability to learn and adjust to new software preferred. Communication Skills: Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, smooth interacting with team members, presenting financial information to non-finance stakeholders, and ensuring clear and transparent communication within the organization. Comfort with Non-Accounting Finance Admin Tasks: In addition to traditional accounting duties, a finance specialist should be comfortable and adept at handling non-accounting finance administrative tasks. Physical Requirements (Frequently stand/walk, sit, perform desk-based computer tasks, and use a telephone. Occasionally write by hand, twist/bend/stoop/squat, reach/work above shoulders, grasp lightly/fine manipulation, grasp forcefully, lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh up to 10 pounds, sort/file paperwork. Rarely kneel/crawl, operate foot and/or hand controls. Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact Stanford University Human Resources by submitting a contact form. Working Conditions Travel on campus to schools/units, out of town. Work Standards Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations. Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned. Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University’s Administrative Guide, Remote Positions This remote role is open to candidates anywhere in the United States. Stanford University has five Regional Pay Structures. The compensation for this position will be based on the location of the successful candidate. The expected pay range for this position is $71,129 to $87,717 per annum for remote positions. The expected pay range for this position is $81,192 to $101,964 per annum for Stanford Work Locations. Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of the salary or hourly wage the university reasonably expects to pay for a position upon hire. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on a wide range of factors that are unique to each candidate including but not limited to geographic location, knowledge, skills and abilities, relevant education, depth and breadth of experience, performance; as well as other business and organization needs such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the minimum qualifications, departmental budget availability, and market and internal equity across the unit, department and reporting relationships. At Stanford University, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive rewards package. The Cardinal at Work website provides detailed information on Stanford’s extensive range of benefits and rewards offered to employees. Specifics about the rewards package for this position may be discussed during the hiring process. Why Stanford is for you Imagine a world without search engines or social platforms. Consider lives saved through first-ever organ transplants and research to cure illnesses. Stanford University has revolutionized the way we live and enrich the world. Supporting this mission is our diverse and dedicated 17,000 staff. We seek talent driven to impact the future of our legacy. Our culture and unique perks empower you with: Freedom to grow . We offer career development programs, tuition reimbursement, or audit a course. Join a TedTalk, film screening, or listen to a renowned author or global leader speak. A caring culture . We provide superb retirement plans, generous time-off, and family care resources. A healthier you . Climb our rock wall, or choose from hundreds of health or fitness classes at our world-class exercise facilities. We also provide excellent health care benefits. Discovery and fun . Stroll through historic sculptures, trails, and museums. Enviable resources . Enjoy free commuter programs, ridesharing incentives, discounts and more! The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned. Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Additional Information Schedule: Full-time Job Code: 4441 Employee Status: Regular Grade: G Requisition ID: 108116 Work Arrangement : Remote Eligible #J-18808-Ljbffr Stanford University