Principal Disbursement Accountant

Berkeley Lab addresses the world’s most urgent scientific challenges by advancing sustainable energy, protecting human health, creating new materials, and revealing the origin and fate of the universe. Founded in 1931, Berkeley Lab’s scientific expertise has been recognized with 13 Nobel prizes. The University of California manages Berkeley Lab for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science.

Position Summary:

Berkeley Lab’s Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO) Division has an opening for a Principal Disbursement Accountant to be responsible for a variety of complex, financial accounting functions in compliance with applicable policies, contract requirements, regulations and law.  Reporting to the Disbursements Manager, this role is responsible for financial reporting with significance to internal and external customers; including the Department of Energy (DOE).  You will contribute to the development of new theories and methods, using concepts in accordance with organizational objectives to solve complex problems in creative and effective ways.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Responsible for the development, oversight, execution and monitoring of financial transactions, processes and systems.

• Provide complex financial statement analysis including various general ledger account reconciliations; acting in the capacity as preparer or reviewer.

• Provide complex financial statement reporting, including non-standard and/or ad hoc, for both internal and external audiences; acting in the capability of a preparer or a reviewer.

• Research, analyze, and correct complex irregularities and reconciling items in system output results and/or reconciliations.

• Responsible for monthly and year-end close related activities; including leading/directing the activities of others.

• Utilize computer databases (PeopleSoft FMS) to obtain and analyze varied and complex financial information.  Confer with computer programmers to design and develop reports.

• Develop and implement solutions to varied and complex accounting problems by in-depth evaluation and analysis.

• Provide technical guidance in the formulation and execution of financial objectives.

  • Preparation and filing of sales/use tax returns

  • Preparation and filing of payroll taxes.

  • Participation in administering self-assessments related to the operational areas of disbursements.  

• Develop, plan and implement policies, techniques and methods in accordance with Laboratory policies, Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), DOE acquisition regulations, business law, UC and/or government regulations, accepted business practices, and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.

• Develop, evaluate and implement work methods and transaction documentation for efficiencies, making recommendations and leading efforts to implement improvements.

• Oversee and participate in end user acceptance testing of new system functionality prior to implementation.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or related field and a minimum of 6 years of related extensive professional-level experience or the equivalent combination of experience.

• Comprehensive knowledge in interpreting and applying financial policies and procedures including the use of generally accepted financial principles and methodologies.

• Comprehensive knowledge in performing financial functions including:  preparation and posting of journal entries, balance sheet reconciliations, financial statement analysis, and financial report preparation and variance analysis.

• Extensive experience in the development and maintenance of highly complex financial spreadsheets and databases containing advanced functions and extensive experience in utilizing commercial and/or institutional financial tools.

• Extensive experience applying skills to independently research, interpret, analyze, compile, and present data and information.

• Extensive experience in advanced decision making, problem-solving and analytical skills to independently solve highly complex issues requiring mature judgment, discretion and tact; experience negotiating desirable outcomes.

• Extensive experience in communication skills, both written and verbal to effectively prepare and deliver financial briefings, documentation, reports and financial advice to senior Laboratory personnel, and/or other external organizations and agencies.

• Extensive experience using interpersonal skills to effectively explain, negotiate, persuade and build consensus among diverse stakeholders; demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with all levels of personnel, both internal and external to the Laboratory.

• Proven ability to independently devise new approaches, perform assignments and make decisions with high consequence of error without appreciable direction from management.  
  
  

Additional Desired Qualifications:

• CPA or MBA.

• Experience in taxation.
  
  

The posting shall remain open until the position is filled.

Notes:

• This is a full time career appointment.

• Full-time, M-F, exempt (monthly paid) from overtime pay.

• Salary is commensurate with experience.

• This position is contingent on the successful completion of a background check.

• Work will be primarily performed at the Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO) — Bldg. 971, 6401 Hollis St., Emeryville CA.

Equal Employment Opportunity: Berkeley Lab is an Equal Opportunity/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, age, or protected veteran status. Berkeley Lab is in compliance with the Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision under 41 CFR 60-1.4.  Click here to view the poster and supplement: "Equal Employment Opportunity is the Law."