Finance Officer

The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) was created by the people of California to fund stem cell and gene therapy research with the goal of accelerating treatments for patients with unmet medical needs. With $8.5 billion in funding allocated through both Proposition 71 in 2004 and Proposition 14 in 2020, CIRM supports stem cell and gene therapy discoveries from inception through clinical trials, trains a workforce in California to fill jobs in the state’s thriving biotech and biomedical research industry, and creates infrastructure to make clinical trials accessible for people throughout California.

All of CIRM’s research, workforce development, and infrastructure programs are designed to benefit the people of California, whose vision created the agency.

The Finance Officer reports to the Director, Finance, and is responsible for California Institute for Regenerative Medicine’s (CIRM) high level reconciliation governance and subject matter authority for cash management. These incumbent leads reconciliation strategy and advises the Director, Finance on financial risk exposure, and is a primary liaison with state oversight agencies and external auditors.

• Lead and oversee all monthly, quarterly, and annual reconciliations to ensure compliance with Proposition 71 and 14 requirements and governmental accounting standards.
• Exercise decision making authority in resolving discrepancies and directing corrective actions to the Finance team.
• Establish reconciliation protocols and internal safeguards to mitigate fiscal risk.
• Direct and lead finance team in corrections per the reconciliations.
• Present analytical findings, risk exposure assessments, and recommendations to upper management.

• Direct the development of cash flow forecast surveys in partnership with Grants Management.
• Determine cash source utilization strategy and sequencing to optimize liquidity and.
• Primary compliance liaison with the State Treasurer’s Office for all cash-related matters.
• Advise leadership on cash risk exposure and funding implications.

• Provide oversight of EFT grant payment processes and compliance utilizing CIRM’s Grants Management System (GMS).
• Ensure integrity and accuracy of grant disbursement reporting within FI$Cal.
• Represent CIRM in financial coordination with the State Treasure’s Office, State Controller’s Office (SC), and Department of General Services (DGS).
• Resolve escalated payment and compliance issues.

• Fiscal oversight of labor reporting and position control alignment.
• Authorize pay unit determinations related to position transfers.
• Partner with HR leadership on position control, processing 607s, and leave payouts.
• Assist Director, Finance in preparing Schedule 8/7A package to DOF.

• Lead financial representative during yearly audits with external stakeholders.
• Direct audit preparation, documentation strategy, and cross-functional coordination.
• Exercise authority in responding to audit findings and implementing corrective action plans.
• Assist the Director, Finance in developing year-end expenditure forecasts.

• Establish and revise accounting policies and procedures, and templates.
• Design and implement internal control enhancements.
• Lead accounting process improvements to strengthen compliance and operational efficiency.
• Provide training to ensure organizational adherence to fiscal standards.

• Perform other duties in support of the ICOC Board and executive leadership as required.

The Finance Officer reports directly to the Director, Finance.

None

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business Administration with emphasis in Accounting, or a related field. In lieu of a bachelor’s degree, four (4) years of relevant, progressively responsible professional accounting experience may be substituted.
• Additionally, six (6) years of increasingly responsible professional experience in the management of a financial operation, preferably within California governmental accounting, budgeting, and regulatory practices.