Senior Accountant

West Coast University; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

West Coast University is seeking a Senior Accountant to manage general accounting functions and ensure accurate financial reporting.

The role supports month-end and year-end closes, leases under ASC 842, and ASC 606 revenue recognition. Collaboration with multiple departments and audits is required, with mentoring of junior staff and process improvements encouraged.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting required.
• CPA certification preferred.
• Public accounting experience a plus.
• Experience with ASC 842 lease accounting.

Responsibilities

• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements.
• Lead month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close processes.
• Post entries and reconcile month-end close.
• Maintain general ledger and ensure U.S. GAAP compliance.
• Assist with audits and provide schedules/documentation.
• Collaborate with FP&A, Treasury, Payroll, and Operations.
• Improve accounting processes and implement efficiencies.
• Mentor junior staff and review their work.

Skills

Accounting proficiency

GAAP knowledge

Cross-functional collaboration

Financial analysis

Excel skills

Communication skills

Detail oriented

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting

Tools

Great Plains

Campus Vue

MS Office

Job description

The Senior Accountant is responsible for managing general accounting functions, ensuring accurate financial reporting, supporting month-end and year-end close processes, maintaining compliance with accounting standards, and assisting with audits and financial analysis. This role works closely with cross-functional teams to ensure the integrity of financial data and support strategic business decisions.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

• Prepare and review monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements.
• Lead and participate in the month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close processes.
• Assists in preparing and posting all entries and reconciliation for month-end close.
• Assists in management of financial reports in Report Writing tool.
• Posts and maintains non-financial metrics data in general ledger system and generation of all metrics data reports.
• Maintain the general ledger and ensure compliance with U.S. GAAP.
• Administer lease accounting under ASC 842, including maintaining lease schedules, calculating right-of-use (ROU) assets and lease liabilities, recording lease-related journal entries, and ensuring proper financial statement disclosures.
• Support revenue recognition under ASC 606 by reviewing contracts, evaluating performance obligations, determining transaction prices, documenting accounting conclusions, and ensuring revenue is recognized accordingly under U.S. GAAP.
• Assist with external annual audits by preparing requested schedules and documentation.
• Ensure compliance with internal controls and company accounting policies.
• Collaborate with departments including, but not limited to: FP&A, Treasury, Payroll, and Operations.
• Identify opportunities to improve accounting processes and implement efficiencies.
• Mentor junior accounting staff and review their work when appropriate.
• Reviews various calculations and analysis to ensure accuracy and completeness of financial data and recommends & implements changes as needed.
• Establishes or improves procedures or operating policies of assigned function; participates in implementation of new or revised accounting systems.
• Reviews and controls accounts and records to ensure accuracy, proper documentation, and compliance with all pertinent procedures and regulations.
• Assist with audits conducted by local and state agencies[EW1.1].
• Adjusts to changing needs of Company operations or need to provide specialized or individualized reports.
• Maintains regular and timely attendance, reports to work as scheduled and assures time worked and/or time-off is recorded properly.
• Maintains established department policies, procedures and attends required meetings.
• Maintains confidentiality of all students, associates, and/or company information as required.
• Adheres to College/University policies and procedures and conducts job responsibilities in accordance with the standards set out in the College/University's Code of Ethical Conduct, Compliance Agreement, Sexual Harassment Policy or any of its policies and procedures, applicable federal and state laws, and applicable professional standards.
• Exercises care, proper use and maintenance of department equipment and supplies and identifies unsafe conditions and makes appropriate adjustments.
• Maintains order, cleanliness, and safety at work.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum and Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting
• CPA certification is preferred.
• Public accounting experience is a plus.
• Experience with lease accounting under ASC 842
• Experience with accounts receivable and/or revenue recognition under ASC 606

Experience & Skills

• 4-7+ years of progressive accounting experience, preferably including corporate accounting.
• Thorough knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles, practices and procedures in for-profit setting, internal accounting controls.
• Knowledge of database, financial and accounting reporting computer application systems, specifically Great Plains and education/student accounting systems such as Campus Vue.
• Experience with MS Office.
• Knowledge of operation of integrated information systems, and appropriate software (word processing, spreadsheet, and database and Internet).
• Communicate and collaborate effectively with cross-functional departments to resolve accounting-related issues.
• Ability to prepare complex accounting, budgeting and auditing reports on a timely basis.
• Ability to demonstrate basic math, detailed numerical math computations and statistical techniques.
• Ability to operate a variety of office equipment such as calculating and adding machines, as needed.
• Excellent analytical and organizational skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a highly ethnic and culturally diverse student and associate community.
• Ability to analyze financial data and prepare financial reports, statements, and projections.
• Ability to demonstrate strong professional written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to self-direct, self-pace, multi-task and function well under pressure of deadlines and conflicting priorities.
• Ability to work with individuals at all levels of the organization.
• Willingness to work a flexible schedule.
• Ability to exercise good judgment.
• Strong excel skills preferred.

Do you want a career that allows you to make a difference in other people's lives? Discover what it means to truly believe in the work that you do at West Coast University.

At West Coast University, we have the privilege of educating students seeking careers in healthcare and guide them through their transformational journey from student to caregiver. Our associates are united behind that purpose and share a deep commitment to our values of teamwork, collegiality, transparency, and a student-centric approach to all we do. This focus creates an aligned, nimble, and consensus-driven culture that is solution-oriented and supports our associates' professional growth.

West Coast University is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We embrace diversity and are dedicated to creating an inclusive environment for all associates.