About the California Academy of Sciences

Founded in 1853, the California Academy of Sciences is a globally renowned, AZA-accredited non-profit scientific and cultural institution located in the heart of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. Home to a world-class planetarium, aquarium, rainforest, research institute, and natural history museum—all under one living roof—our mission is to regenerate the natural world through science, learning, and collaboration.

Our living collection reflects Earth’s vast biodiversity, consisting of nearly 60,000 animals representing over 800 species. Our research collections are the largest west of the Mississippi, spanning nearly 46 million plants, animals, fossils, and cultural artifacts from across the globe and throughout history. Our diverse team includes leading biodiversity scientists, educators, storytellers, designers, and communicators who are passionate about advancing knowledge and catalyzing action through science and storytelling.

Whether you're conducting research behind the scenes or engaging the public on the museum floor, your work will help connect people to the natural world and empower them to protect it.

About the Opportunity

POSITION SUMMARY:

Reporting to the Manager - Operational Accounting, the Senior Accountant - Operational Accounting will oversee the daily operations of the Accounts Payable (AP) , Accounts Receivable (AR) and Corporate Credit Card Administration teams. This role involves supervising a team, ensuring accurate and timely processing of all transactions, maintaining compliance with Academy policies and accounting standards, and contributing to the overall efficiency of the Accounting department. The Senior Accountant will be a key contributor in month-end close processes and process improvement initiatives.

POSITION DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The responsibilities may consist of one or more of the following areas:

Financial Accounting & Reporting Responsibilities

Supervise, train, and mentor the AP and AR team, including performance management and workload distribution.
Ensure accurate and timely processing of all accounts payable, including vendor invoices, expense reports, and payments.
Oversee the accounts receivable function, including invoicing, cash applications, collections, and revenue recognition.
Participate in the period-end close procedures, providing necessary AP and AR reports, analysis, and supporting documentation that is audit ready.
Develop, implement, and maintain internal controls and accounting procedures to ensure compliance with GAAP and company policies.
Collaborate with internal departments (e.g., procurement, sales, grant managers, cost center managers) and external vendors/customers to resolve payment and collection issues.
Manage the execution of special projects and process improvements within the AP/AR function.
Prepare and review various financial reports related to AP/AR performance and aging.
Manage the execution of the year-end 1099 preparation and issuance process.
Review journal entries, account reconciliations, and ad hoc analyses/projects prepared by junior members of the team.
Review period-end financial results and variance analysis as compared to budget, prior year, year-end, and prior quarter.
Prepare account reconciliations and identify/resolve reconciling items in a timely manner.
Prepare schedules and reports in support of the annual and interim audit; all schedules prepared must be adequately documented.
Develop accounting procedures for new processes and prepare procedures/guidelines for other departments to ensure compliance with company policies and US GAAP. Once the process is finalized, responsible for communicating to appropriate users and business partners.
Identify and implement process improvements and strive to follow best practices to enhance the quality, efficiency, and effectiveness of individual and team work products.

QUALIFICATIONS: A successful candidate will have the following:

EXPERIENCE and/or EDUCATION

Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Business, or Finance-related field.