Sr. Accountant - First American Financial Corporation

Santa Ana, CA

About the Job

Who We Are

Join a team that puts its People First! Since 1889, First American (NYSE: FAF) has held an unwavering belief in its people. They are passionate about what they do, and we are equally passionate about fostering an environment where all feel welcome, supported, and empowered to be innovative and reach their full potential. Our inclusive, people-first culture has earned our company numerous accolades, including being named to the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For® list for nine consecutive years. We have also earned awards as a best place to work for women, diversity and LGBTQ+ employees, and have been included on more than 50 regional best places to work lists. First American will always strive to be a great place to work, for all. For more information, please visit www.careers.firstam.com.

What We Do

Maintains integrity of accounting information and systems, in accordance with standards and rules under GAAP, as well as other regulating bodies. Reconciles, analyzes and synthesizes financial data from business operations. Plays an active role in preparation of public financial statements, including balance sheet, income statements, SEC filings, DOI reports and other regulatory reports. May evaluate or support the evaluation of company and regional profitability, efficiency and product performance. May evaluate the effects of changes in accounting regulations on Company's financial statements and accounting controls. Executes accounting policy and procedures and participates in internal and external audits.

Essential Functions

Performs complex accounting activities to maintain complete and accurate general ledger. This includes researching, as necessary, new pronouncements for reporting. Review and identify trends or issues and the related sources to make recommendations for change.
Prepares journal entries and reconciles ledger accounts, and performs monthly and quarterly fluctuation analysis.
Interface and assists with internal and external audit
Leads special projects including process improvement initiatives
Plays key role in monthly and quarterly close process
Perform account analysis to assist with ensuring accurate financial reporting
Perform high level review of account balances.
Ability to demonstrate critical thinking by calling out assumptions and identifying root cause.
Identify errors and risks that could have a financial impact on the company’s financial statements in accordance with company policies, US GAAP and in compliance with Sarbanes Oxley.
Communicate with multiple levels in the organization and escalate issues to appropriate management.
Partner with Training or Subject matter experts to develop desktop procedures and training material
Train or assist the Trainer in conducting offshore and onshore training
Analyzes offshore production against Service Level Agreements (SLA) to identify issues with substandard quality, turn-around time and productivity and suggest solutions to management team
Prepares and analyzes monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements and reports; ensures financial information has been recorded accurately
Prepares integrated revenue/expense analyses

Job Complexities

Assignments are broad and complex in nature, usually requiring significant originality and ingenuity. Has significant latitude for un- reviewed actions or decisions.
Complexities associated with large company, multiple locations in a global environment.
Influences department processes and procedures
Act in an advisory capacity, making recommendations which have an important bearing on the conduct of the organization’s business
Uses professional concepts and company policies and procedures to solve a wide range of difficult problems in imaginative and practical ways.
Exercises judgment to determine appropriate action.
Unidentified errors could have a business and/or financial impact.

Supervision Received or Extended

Works under general direction relying on experience and judgment to plan and accomplish tasks
A wide degree of creativity and latitude is required.
Needs to be able to work with minimal supervision.
No responsibility for the supervision of others.
May provide functional advice or training to less- experienced team members
May lead and direct the work of others but is not a supervisor

Impact

Knowledge and Skills/Technology Used

Familiar with standard concepts, practices, and procedures within a particular field
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Excellent analytical, verbal, and written communication skills.
Advanced knowledge in the interpretation and application of accounting principles and practices under US GAAP. Knowledge of IFRS a plus.
Strong computer skills including MS Office. Ability to query data using data extraction tools.
Large ERP Software experience, Oracle preferred.
Hyperion experience preferred.
Excellent analytical, verbal, and written communication skills.
Critical Thiing - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Complex Problem Solvi - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Judgment and Decision Maki - Consider the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Typical Education

Bachelor’s degree in accounting.
MBA preferred

Typical Range of Experience

4+ years of experience in the field or in a related area
Prefer 2+ years of experience working with non-domestic based accounting teams.

License or Certification

CPA desired but not required

This is a Hybrid role from Santa Ana, Ca.

The pay range for this role is $72,150.00 - $96,150.00

This hiring range is a reasonable estimate of the base pay range for this position at the time of posting. Pay is based on a number of factors which may include job-related knowledge, skills, experience, business requirements and geographic location.

Disclaimer
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal work hours and/or responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

** Note that the following statements only apply to candidates who will be working from an unincorporated area within Los Angeles County. **

First American will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with arrest or conviction records, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws (e.g., the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act).

First American intends to conduct a review of an applicant’s criminal history in connection with a conditional offer. First American reasonably believes that a criminal history may have a direct, adverse and negative relationship with the following material job duties for this position potentially resulting in the withdrawal of the conditional offer of employment: handling of confidential, proprietary or trade secret information belonging to First American or its customers, administrating or facilitating financial transactions, and the ability to meet customer-imposed criminal history requirements.

What We Offer

By choice, we don’t simply accept individuality – we embrace it, we support it, and we thrive on it! Our People First Culture celebrates diversity, equity and inclusion not simply because it’s the right thing to do, but also because it’s the key to our success. We are proud to foster an authentic and inclusive workplace For All. You are free and encouraged to bring your entire, unique self to work. First American is an equal opportunity employer in every sense of the term.

Based on eligibility, First American offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, 401k, PTO/paid sick leave and other great benefits like an employee stock purchase plan.

Source : First American Financial Corporation