Performance & Fund Accounting Associate
Stanford Management Company (SMC), the University’s investment office, invests the Merged Pool, which includes substantially all of the University’s investable endowment assets. The investment portfolio is designed with the dual goals of preserving the purchasing power of the Endowment for future generations of Stanford students and scholars and enabling a robust annual disbursement to the University’s operating budget. SMC primarily relies on carefully chosen external partners to select individual securities, allowing Stanford to benefit from specialized knowledge in asset classes that reward superior active management.
SMC is seeking an organized and detail-oriented Performance and Fund Accounting Associate who will report to the Manager of Performance and Reporting. This position will perform rigorous performance analysis, play an integral part of administering the information flow of SMC’s external managers and provide timely and accurate investment information to the investment team. The ideal candidate is highly productive and efficient with strong communication and problem-solving skills.
CORE DUTIES*:
- Analyze, and publish performance results for marketable and non-marketable investments, ensuring compliance with regulatory and industry standards.
- Provide constituents with relevant, accurate, and consistent information for investment oversight and decision making.
- Design effective, relevant, and focused management reports and dashboards, and ad-hoc analyses as needed.
- Produce daily asset allocation reporting, explaining key fluctuations and changes for use by the Investment Team.
- Research and design solutions in performance measurement, attribution, and analytics.
- Create business requirements for building custom performance reports, working closely with IT team, and lead user acceptance testing.
- Maintain the integrity of accounting and investment data for Merged Pool investments.
- Monitor all investment approvals and activity, accurately record activity, and serve as the primary interface with internal and external parties.
- Maintain strong control environment to comply with established policies and controls. Recommend process and control improvements as needed.
- Process, review, and analyze investment valuations and transactions. Perform complex reconciliations to ensure consistency with custodian records.
- Participate as a member of a project team, support new initiatives. Make decisions determining approach to managing and completing processes.
- Work closely with Investment Team, other teams across SMC, the University and other external service providers to identify and resolve issues.
* - Other duties may also be assigned
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
Education & Experience:
Bachelor’s degree and three years of applicable experience in the areas of investment operations, accounting, and/or investment management, fund administration, or a combination of education and relevant work experience.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Advanced proficiency in business applications, such as Microsoft Office suite, especially Excel.
- Strong financial modeling experience and proficiency in business intelligence applications to produce analysis and presentations.
- Demonstrated quantitative and analytical skills, including performance, attribution, and financial analysis.
- Experience using Bloomberg terminal.
- Experience with performance and attribution systems.
- Understanding of securities industry including derivatives and other complex financial instruments as well as security asset classes, investment processing, business protocol, and reporting standards.
- Demonstrated knowledge of and experience with accounting systems.
- Understanding of and ability to apply accounting skills and concepts and knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
- Strong professional communication skills, including ability to prepare materials for and clearly and effectively communicate information to internal and external audiences, client groups, and management.
- Strong project management skills and demonstrated initiative with strong attention to detail.
Certifications and Licenses:
None
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS*:
- Constantly sitting.
- Frequently perform desk-based computer tasks, use telephone, writing by hand, sort/file paperwork.
- Occasionally stand/walk, lift/carry objects weighing 11-20 pounds.
- Rarely reach/work above shoulder.
* - Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
- Routine and extended working hours during peak cycles.
WORK STANDARDS:
- Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.
- Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.
- Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University’s Administrative Guide, http://adminguide.stanford.edu.
A background check will be required for all final candidates.
We are not able to provide relocation or sponsorship for this position.
The expected pay range for this position is $138,000 to $150,000 per annum. Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location, and external market pay for comparable jobs.
At Stanford University, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive rewards package. The Cardinal at Work website (https://cardinalatwork.stanford.edu/benefits-rewards) provides detailed information on Stanford’s extensive range of benefits and rewards offered to employees. Specifics about the rewards package for this position may be discussed during the hiring process.
Why Stanford is for You
Imagine a world without search engines or social platforms. Consider lives saved through first-ever organ transplants and research to cure illnesses. Stanford University has revolutionized the way we live and enrich the world. Supporting this mission is our diverse and dedicated 17,000 staff. We seek talent driven to impact the future of our legacy. Our culture and unique perks empower you with:
- Freedom to grow. We offer career development programs, tuition reimbursement, or audit a course. Join a TedTalk, film screening, or listen to a renowned author or global leader speak.
- A caring culture. We provide superb retirement plans, generous time-off, and family care resources.
- A healthier you. Climb our rock wall, or choose from hundreds of health or fitness classes at our world-class exercise facilities. We also provide excellent health care benefits.
- Discovery and fun. Stroll through historic sculptures, trails, and museums.
- Enviable resources. Enjoy free commuter programs, ridesharing incentives, discounts and more!
Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and 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, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
