Financial Analyst II

The University of Southern California (USC) is a leading private research university located in Los Angeles – a global center for arts, technology and international business. As the city’s largest private employer, responsible for more than $5 billion annually in economic activity in the region, we offer the opportunity to work in a dynamic and diverse environment, in careers that span a broad spectrum of talents and skills across a variety of academic schools and units. As a USC employee, you will enjoy excellentbenefits and perks , and you will be a member of the Trojan Family - the faculty, staff, students and alumni who make USC a great place to work. If you think you’ve got what it takes, please continue reading!

The USC Stevens Center for Innovation is a university-wide resource for USC innovators in the Office of the Provost. Designed to harness and advance the creative thinking and breakthrough research at USC for societal impact beyond traditional academic means, wefocus on the licensing of technologies, expanding industry collaborations, and supporting start-ups (http://stevens.usc.edu ). USC Stevens is unique as it is partially endowed by a generous donation from USC Trustee and Sequoia Capital partner Mark Stevens. The Center reports to the Vice President of Research, and has the full support of the USC Provost.

Reporting to the Director of Operations and Finance, the Senior Financial Analyst will be responsible for leading complex financial reporting and analyses to assist USC Stevens in business and financial short- and long-term planning. Assignments will be either highly specialized, requiring advanced knowledge of a particular financial area, or analyses may be more general, requiring a thorough knowledge of a broader range of financial and technology transfer activities. The incumbent must:

• Have intermediate to advanced knowledge of financial accounting principles, practices and procedures;

• Possess demonstrated, excellent analytical, problem-solving, project management, and time management skills

• Be able to analyze complex sets of parameters for unique payment distribution projects and develop/apply financial accounting tools to calculate and process payments based on the parameters in an accurate and timely manner

• Be a self-starter, able to work independently under pressure on multiple simultaneous projects, prioritize tasks by making critical and reasoned judgments, initiate solutions, and manage own time

• Have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with demonstrated written and verbal skills to document and clearly/concisely explain analyses, reports, and operating standards and procedures to key stakeholders

• Be customer service oriented, able to react patiently and diplomatically to stakeholder concerns and foster a cooperative approach

• Have expert understanding/skills in using MS Office programs, general ledger systems, and knowledge management databases.

Job Responsibilities include:

• Coordinate, organize and complete strategic and complex projects of a financial or business nature, which require identification and extraction of data, evaluation, interpretation, analysis and summation of findings. Present and review results with senior management.

• Produce regular and ad-hoc financial and operating reports. Evaluate and analyze reports and data. Develop conclusions and recommendations and communicate orally or in writing to management.

• Monitor financial operations for USC Stevens on a monthly and ongoing basis, ensuring accuracy and consistency of financial and operating results. Develop a deep understanding of the key drivers of the budget, forecasts, and monthly variances. Identify problems or trends and evaluate and resolve or bring to the attention of senior management for consideration. Present monthly results, covering financial trends and key business metrics with detailed explanations of budget variances.

• Planning, preparation of, and administration of department budget. Provide historical data and projections as required for budget development and planning.

• Ensure compliance with university policies by timely and accurate analysis and distribution of proceeds from licensing-related activities.

• Build and maintain consistent forecasting, modeling, and reporting processes. Maintain financial models and lead statement of activities forecast process, focusing on key historical and predictive business. Provide ad hoc and ongoing analytic support to business owners, including building financial models to support growth in existing business lines and new initiatives.

• Review existing accounting, reporting, and data management systems and methods for adequacy and opportunities for process improvement. Contribute to the development and/or modification of financial systems and applications to enhance reporting and information capabilities.

• Provide internal financial consulting services and advises on complex or technical financial issues.

• Advise department staff on university financial policies and procedures, agency laws and regulations, and generally accepted accounting principles.

• Other duties as assigned.

Preferred Qualifications:

• MBA, CPA, and/or other advanced degree in a related field

• 5 years finance/budgetary experience, including statistical and forensic analysis

• Forecasting experience

• Capable of working unsupervised and independently as well as a part of a team

• Outstanding communication, interpersonal, project management, and time management skills, including the ability to present work clearly and concisely

• Experience with accounting software, MS Office and 10-key

• Detailed understanding of GAAP

• Highly organized with a strong attention to detail

• Experience in an academic technology transfer office, in the areas of operations, accounting and finance, including royalty distributions

• Experience using Wellspring Sophia database

• Knowledge of the technology transfer process, including experience interpreting and managing license agreements, and an understanding of Bayh-Dole.

• Experience with Workday Financials

• Supervisory experience of 1-4 staff

Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree Minimum Experience: 3 years Minimum Field of Expertise: Business education or closely related field. Experience in financial analysis and reporting with knowledge of computer simulation and forecasting techniques.