Associate Accountant

Reporting to the IPO Principal Accountant, the Associate Accountant is responsible for accounting and financial operations functions in compliance with applicable policies, contract requirements, regulations, and laws within the Intellectual Property Office (IPO).

This position supports a broad range of accounting activities including payment processing, invoicing, banking activities, monthly close, general ledger reconciliations, journal entries, internal and external financial reporting, audit preparation, process improvements, and financial analysis.

• Perform accounting operations, including processing patent invoices for payment and creating, issuing, and tracking rebilling invoices sent to licensees
• Manage cash receipts and accounts receivable processes
• Prepare general ledger account reconciliations and perform related accounting reviews
• Support annual royalty distribution calculations and analysis as assigned by the Principal Accountant
• Perform monthly and year-end closing activities, including journal entries, accruals, and reclassifications
• Research, analyze, and resolve complex accounting discrepancies, irregularities, and reconciliation items identified through system outputs and financial reviews
• Support the development, execution, oversight, and monitoring of financial transactions, processes, and systems
• Utilize financial systems and databases, including People Soft FMS and Sophia, to obtain, analyze, and report complex financial information
• Collaborate with technical teams and system developers to design and improve financial reports and reporting capabilities
• Perform additional departmental projects and tasks as assigned by management, including planned initiatives and ad hoc requests
• Develop, evaluate, and implement accounting procedures, transaction documentation, and process improvements to increase operational efficiency
• Participate in user acceptance testing for new financial system functionality prior to implementation
• Interpret and apply financial policies, procedures, and accounting standards

• Provide accounting support and assistance to the IPO Principal Accountant
• Perform other related duties as assigned

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance, or related field, with 0–1 years of related professional-level experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Experience developing and maintaining complex financial spreadsheets and databases using advanced functions
• Experience utilizing commercial and/or institutional financial systems and tools
• Experience supporting financial and/or cost accounting activities

• Experience with Federal accounting practices
• Experience supporting audit activities

• Knowledge of financial policies, procedures, generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), and accounting methodologies
• Knowledge and experience performing financial functions including
• Preparation and posting of journal entries
• Balance sheet reconciliations
• Financial statement analysis
• Variance analysis
• Ability to independently research, interpret, analyze, compile, and present financial data and information
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare and deliver financial briefings, documentation, reports, and recommendations to internal and external stakeholders
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively, negotiate, influence, and build consensus among diverse stakeholders

• Knowledge of People Soft financial applications

• Ability to work effectively under pressure and meet established deadlines and deliverables, including occasional work outside normal business hours when required
• Ability to work on a computer for extended periods of time
• Ability and flexibility to travel between office locations as needed