Senior Manager, Technical Accounting, Advisory and Policy

Sempra; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Sempra, a leading energy company, seeks a senior leader for its Technical Accounting Center of Excellence. You will oversee accounting policy, evaluation of complex transactions, and guidance to executives and auditors.

This role shapes governance, develops talent, and drives consistency across the enterprise, requiring CPA, 10 years' experience, and Southern California residency.

Qualifications

• Typically requires 10 years of progressive accounting experience.
• Big Four advisory, capital markets advisory or transaction advisory experience preferred.
• Demonstrated leadership of teams, and influencing senior stakeholders.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP and SEC reporting.

Responsibilities

• Builds and sustains organizational capability by leading accounting professionals and managers.
• Serves as trusted advisor to executive leadership, business stakeholders, and external auditors.
• Evaluates complex transactions and leads accounting policy initiatives and standards implementations.
• Oversees accounting policy research and governance across the organization.
• Drives large-scale policy initiatives impacting multiple business units and regions.
• Represents the organization in high-level discussions with auditors and regulators.

Skills

Leadership

Technical accounting

Policy development

Stakeholder management

GAAP knowledge

SEC reporting

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting or finance

CPA license

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

Provides leadership and direction for the organization's technical accounting, transaction advisory, and accounting policy activities. Oversees the evaluation of highly complex and significant transactions, advises senior leadership on accounting implications and risk considerations, and drives the consistent application of accounting standards across the enterprise. Develops organizational capability through leadership of managers and senior professionals while advancing the long-term effectiveness of the technical accounting function. Serves as a senior leader within the Company's Technical Accounting Center of Excellence, providing strategic guidance on complex transactions, accounting policy matters, new accounting standards, and significant financial reporting issues. Acts as a trusted advisor to executive leadership and a key liaison with external auditors, influencing business decisions through the application of sound accounting judgment and deep technical expertise. Drives organizational success by leading the resolution of complex accounting matters, developing future technical accounting leaders, and shaping the execution, governance, and long-term capability of the Company's technical accounting function.

Duties And Responsibilities

• Builds and sustains organizational capability by leading, coaching, and developing technical accounting professionals and managers; advancing technical expertise through training and knowledge-sharing initiatives; and helping shape the function's long-term talent strategy, succession planning, and growth strategy.
• Serves as a trusted advisor to executive leadership, business stakeholders, and external auditors by communicating complex accounting matters, influencing key business decisions, and ensuring the integrity and consistency of accounting conclusions and financial reporting outcomes.
• Provides technical accounting leadership by evaluating complex and non-routine transactions, advising on transaction structures and accounting implications, developing and defending accounting positions, and leading accounting policy initiatives and the implementation of new accounting standards.
• Manages multiple teams implementing accounting policy and research across the organization.
• Drives strategy for large-scale policy initiatives impacting multiple business units and regions.
• Oversees financial decision-making related to compliance projects and regulatory changes.
• Influences job family strategy and ensures alignment with corporate objectives and industry standards.
• Leads resolution of complex technical and operational issues involving policy interpretation.
• Serves as the primary relationship manager with the Company's external auditors and represents the organization in high-level discussions with auditors, regulators, and industry groups.
• Develops frameworks for consistent policy application and governance enterprise-wide.
• Guides senior supervisors and managers on strategic priorities and resource allocation.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education

Required:

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

Experience

Required:

• Typically requires 10 years of progressive accounting experience.

Preferred:

• Big Four Accounting Advisory, Capital Markets Advisory, Transaction Advisory, Professional Practice, National Office, or similar technical accounting experience.
• Significant experience structuring complex transactions and evaluating alternative accounting outcomes.
• Demonstrated experience leading teams, developing talent, and influencing executive stakeholders.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Required:

• Ability to lead and develop managers and senior technical accounting professionals while fostering a culture of technical excellence, accountability, and continuous development.
• Ability to influence senior leaders and key stakeholders on complex accounting interpretations, policy decisions, and financial reporting risks.
• Knowledge of regulatory expectations, emerging accounting developments, and external stakeholder perspectives affecting accounting policy decisions.
• Knowledge of accounting policy strategies and governance frameworks across business units or regions.
• Ability to make high-impact decisions regarding accounting policy direction and application in complex or highly visible situations.
• Skill in leading major accounting policy initiatives or implementations.

Preferred:

• Deep expertise in U.S. GAAP, SEC reporting, and technical accounting research.
• Demonstrated ability to lead organizational change, large-scale accounting initiatives, and cross-functional strategic projects.
• Strong communication, relationship management, and influencing skills with senior leaders, business partners, and internal and external stakeholders.

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

Licenses and Certifications

Required:

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license required.