Staff Accountant

The Giant Magellan Telescope is one of the most powerful ground-based telescopes ever engineered. It is designed to push the boundaries of human knowledge and explore the unknown. Now under construction at Las Campanas Observatory in Chile’s Atacama Desert, one of the premier locations on Earth for astronomy, the telescope will deliver the highest-performing combination of image quality, field of view, and light sensitivity ever achieved. From this southern hemisphere location, the Giant Magellan Telescope will use seven of the world’s largest mirrors to uncover the mysteries of dark matter and dark energy, investigate the origins of chemical elements, and search for signs of life on distant exoplanets.

When complete in the 2030s, the Giant Magellan Telescope will be one of the largest public-private funded science projects in history. It is the work of the GMTO Corporation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and international research consortium, founded by 16 universities and research institutions from the United States, Chile, Australia, Brazil, Israel, South Korea, and Taiwan.

Our culture is impactful, inclusive, and fearlessly innovative. We tackle the most complex engineering challenges and scientific questions alongside talented individuals who share a passion for advancing humanity’s understanding of the Universe.

We invite you to join our team and leave your mark on the future of astronomy and beyond.

The Universe Awaits

Team

Finance and Accounting

Controller

JOB SUMMARY

The Staff Accountant will support the Accounting and Finance Department with day-to-day accounting functions, with a primary focus on accounts payable and payroll processing in preparation of each month end close. The position requires a detail-oriented, organized, and dependable individual who can meet deadlines and maintain accurate financial records. The Staff Accountant will report to the Controller and work closely with the Accounting Manager and Financial Analyst to support and meet Payroll, Accounts Payable and Expenditure management requirements. The Staff Accountant may periodically interact with management and other departments to ensure timely and accurate processing of invoices, accruals, payroll, and other accounting-related activities.

The successful candidate will have 2-3 years of experience in accounting. They should possess a working knowledge of core accounting functions as it relates to payables, payroll and general ledger. They will also need to demonstrate excellent communication skills, be proactive, and comfortable in a hands-on, small business environment.

JOB DUTIES

• Prepare, process and maintain vendor invoices, expense reports, and credit card reconciliation reports in a timely and accurate manner.
• Review billing information for accuracy, including matching invoices to corresponding Purchase Order or Contract numbers, as well as General Ledger Account and Work Breakdown Structure codes and report or resolve discrepancies as needed.
• Assist with payables-related inquiries from employees and elevate issues to the Financial Analyst as appropriate.
• Assist in maintaining and processing semi-monthly payroll by reviewing timecards, including collecting, calculating, and entering journal entry data to ensure accurate integration between timekeeping application and accounting software.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date payroll records and assist with payroll-related reporting.
• Assist with payroll-related inquiries from employees and elevate issues to the Accounting Manager as appropriate.
• Assist in month end and year-end financial close, as well as annual audits.
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive financial, payroll, and employee information.
• Participate in and contribute to special projects and analyses as needed.
• Maintain professional and technical knowledge by attending educational webinars or workshops.
• Contribute to team effort by exercising flexibility and recommending processes to improve efficiencies for the entire organization.

Qualifications (Required)

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration or a related field
• 2-3 years of accounting experience, preferably with experience in invoicing, payroll processing, and/or general accounting
• Working knowledge of basic US General Accepted Accounting Principles and practices
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy
• Proficient in MS Excel
• Experience working in a hands-on, small business environment

Qualifications (Preferred)

• Basic knowledge of fixed assets, compensation and wage structure, 401(k), insurance and fringe benefits
• Experience in Microsoft Dynamics SL or other similar Accounting Software
• Experience or knowledge of Paychex or similar payroll provider

WORKING CONDITIONS

Normal office environment. Open plan layout. This role is expected to work onsite in Pasadena at least two days per week.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

No special requirements

DIRECT REPORTS

None

FEATURED BENEFITS

• Medical insurance
• Vision insurance
• Disability insurance
• 401(k)

HIRING RANGE

$80,000-$120,000

The salary for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, and training.

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you have the right to request an accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our career center as a result of your disability. To request an accommodation, contact a Giant Magellan Telescope Corporation Human Resources Representative.