Manager, Accounting Policy and Research

Sempra-; San Diego (CA); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 205,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Retirement benefits

Bonus potential

Job summary

Sempra in Southern California seeks a Senior Technical Accounting leader to research complex accounting matters, advise on critical transactions, and implement new accounting standards. You will partner with Accounting, Treasury, Tax, Legal, and business units to drive consistent GAAP application and policy initiatives across the organization.

The role emphasizes talent development, strong people leadership, and coordination with external auditors to resolve issues.

Qualifications

• Typically requires 8 years of progressive accounting experience.
• CPA license required.
• Experience with complex transactions and accounting consultations.
• Leadership of teams and cross-functional initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Leads a high-performing technical accounting team with coaching and project execution.
• Partners with Accounting, Treasury, Tax, Legal, and external auditors on complex matters.
• Analyzes complex transactions, researches US GAAP, documents conclusions.
• Manages policy and research activities aligned with organizational goals.
• Interprets emerging GAAP and its impact on business lines.

Skills

Technical accounting leadership

People leadership

GAAP knowledge

Financial reporting

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

At Sempra, we tackle the biggest energy challenges that face our industry. Our high-performing team leverages the full capabilities of our organization to serve 40 million consumers across North America. By collaborating and challenging one another across multiple disciplines, we inspire our best work, ideas and innovation. From increasing liquified natural gas (LNG) capacities to reducing carbon emissions to helping people prepare for the realities of climate change, we are committed to building a better energy future for all.

Primary Purpose

Leads a team responsible for researching and evaluating complex accounting matters, advising on critical transactions, developing accounting policies, and implementing new accounting standards. Provides technical accounting leadership, develops talent, and partners with stakeholders across the organization to drive consistent application of accounting guidance and well-supported accounting conclusions. Serves as a key leader within the Company's Technical Accounting Center of Excellence, providing expertise and strategic guidance on complex accounting matters, significant transactions, accounting policy initiatives, and the implementation of new accounting standards. Leads the evaluation and resolution of technical accounting issues, partners with Accounting, Treasury, Tax, Legal, and business stakeholders to support informed decision-making, and ensures the consistency and integrity of the Company's accounting practices. Drives organizational effectiveness through strong people leadership, talent development, and disciplined execution of high-impact accounting initiatives.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Leads and develops a high-performing technical accounting team by coaching talent, managing priorities and project execution, and fostering a culture of technical excellence, collaboration, and accountability.
• Partners with Accounting, Treasury, Tax, Legal, business stakeholders, and external auditors to resolve complex accounting matters, support financial reporting activities, and ensure consistent application of accounting policies and regulatory requirements.
• Provides technical accounting leadership by analyzing complex and non-routine transactions, researching and applying U.S. GAAP, and documenting accounting conclusions through well-supported technical accounting memoranda and analyses.
• Manages a team responsible for accounting policy and research activities, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
• Interprets the impact of emerging GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) and other accounting guidance for all lines of business.
• Evaluates proposed transaction structures and related accounting implications, coordinating with Accounting, Treasury, Tax, Legal, and business stakeholders to identify issues and support well-informed decisions.
• Leads engagement with external auditors on complex topics to align proposed accounting treatment.
• Oversees the research, analysis, and documentation of complex accounting matters, including the preparation and review of technical accounting memoranda and supporting analyses, to ensure conclusions are clear, well supported, and compliant with applicable requirements.
• Facilitates communication and collaboration between finance teams and other departments to ensure consistent application of accounting policies across the organization.
• Develops strategies to address compliance risks proactively and improve governance.
• Prepares reports for senior management on policy initiatives and compliance performance.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education

Required:

• Typically requires a 4 year degree in a relevant field, or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.

Experience

Required:

• Typically requires 8 years of progressive accounting experience.

Preferred:

• Big Four Accounting Advisory, Transaction Advisory, Professional Practice, National Office, or similar technical accounting experience.
• Experience supporting complex transactions and accounting consultations.
• Previous people leadership or demonstrated leadership of teams and cross-functional initiatives.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Required:

• Ability to lead and develop technical accounting professionals implementing accounting policy and research.
• Ability to influence peers, stakeholders, and leaders on accounting interpretations and risks.
• Ability to translate regulatory changes into operational policy updates.
• Knowledge of accounting policy and research practices at a functional level.
• Knowledge of governance models for accounting policy approval and maintenance.
• Skill in resolving complex accounting judgment disputes.

Preferred:

• Strong technical accounting and financial reporting knowledge.
• Strong project management, organizational, communication, and stakeholder-management skills with the ability to manage competing priorities, workloads, and project execution.
• Strong communication, relationship management, and influencing skills with business partners and internal stakeholders.

Must reside in Southern California or be willing to relocate upon hire.

Licenses and Certifications

Required:

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license required.

Work Schedule

HYBRID: Work a combination of onsite and remote days each week, typically 4 days per week onsite.

Area of Interest

Accounting/Finance

Full Time/Part Time

Full-time

Total Rewards Philosophy

Note: Sempra strives to ensure that employees are paid equitably and competitively. Starting salaries may vary based on factors such as relevant experience, qualifications, and education.

Sempra offers a competitive total rewards package that goes beyond base salary. This position is eligible for an annual performance-based incentive (bonus) as well as other merit-based recognition. Company benefits include health and welfare (medical, dental, vision), employer contributions to retirement benefits, life insurance, paid time off, as well as other company offerings such as tuition reimbursement, paid parental leave, and employee assistance programs.

Pay Range

$129,500.00 - $204,500.00 / year

Pay Transparency

In order to support the Fair Compensation Strategy by the US Govt., HR Dept., clients are required to adhere to "Pay Transparency Law"; in the impacted states; that have mandated the employers to list the salary ranges in Job advertisements or postings for job opportunities and Job promotions.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, handicap or disability, or status as a Vietnam-era or special disabled veteran in accordance with state and federal law. If you have a disability that impacts your ability to complete the job application process, please contact the hiring company to request assistance or a reasonable accommodation. All qualified applicants, including those with arrest or conviction records, will be considered for employment following applicable state and local laws. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. For positions covered by USDOT regulations, the company will comply with any DOT regulations related to the consideration of applicants with drug and/or alcohol related convictions.