Chancellor's Office Statement
Join our team at the California State University, Office of the Chancellor, and make a difference in providing access to higher education. We are currently seeking experienced candidates for the position of Manager, Technical Research & Guidance. The CSU Chancellor's Office, located on the waterfront adjacent to the Aquarium of the Pacific in downtown Long Beach, is the headquarters for the nation's largest and most diverse system of higher education. The CSU Chancellor's Office offers a premium benefit package that includes outstanding vacation, health, and dental plans; a fee waiver education program; membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (PERS); and 15 paid holidays a year.
Salary
The anticipated salary hiring range is up to $115,008 per year, commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Work Arrangements
Flexibility to telecommute two days a week, with three days on-site at the main headquarters in Long Beach, California.
Premium Benefits
Comprehensive Health, Dental, and Vision Benefits
Generous vacation plan
15 paid holidays a year
Tuition waiver education program (also applies to eligible family members)
Membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)
More details here: Comprehensive Benefits Package
Classification
Administrator II
Position Information
The California State University, Office of the Chancellor, is seeking a Manager, Technical Research & Guidance to develop implementation approaches for new accounting standards and independently manage technical research and guidance projects, preparing training and communications materials for financial services, and other units within the Finance & Budget Administration Division.
Alongside the Director, Financial Reporting and Financial Reporting Manager, the Manager Technical Research & Guidance ensures accuracy of fact, appropriateness, and consistency of guidance in high-level internal and external communications related to financial data. This is an essential quality-control function that ensures the consistency of financial reporting for California State University.
Responsibilities
Under the general direction of the Senior Director, Systemwide Financial Standards & Reporting, the Manager, Technical Research & Guidance serves as a senior technical accounting leader responsible for implementation of new accounting standards, development of systemwide guidance, and oversight of key financial and tax reporting structures across the California State University system. This role plays a critical quality-control function to ensure consistency, integrity, and compliance in financial reporting across multiple universities and the Chancellor’s Office.
Independently manage technical research and guidance projects
Lead implementation of new and emerging accounting standards, including analyzing impacts, developing systemwide implementation strategies, and coordinating planning efforts with Finance & Budget Administration leadership and campus stakeholders. Develop and communicate technical accounting guidance for the Chancellor’s Office and universities, respond to complex reporting inquiries, and identify topics requiring formal interpretation. Plan and deliver systemwide training, including annual financial reporting training, and facilitate advisory committees and affinity groups to strengthen consistency in reporting practices across the CSU system.
Ensures Accuracy of Financial Data
Oversee development and review of financial reporting guidance to ensure accuracy, appropriateness, and consistency in internal and external communications. Review financial data included in reports, websites, and related materials. Supervise projects transitioning reporting processes to updated standards and ensure training and documentation support ongoing compliance and sustainability of reporting requirements.
Manage the systemwide tax program
Provide leadership and oversight of the CSU systemwide tax program, supervising the Systemwide Tax Coordinator and ensuring compliance with evolving federal, state, and local tax regulations. Monitor legislative developments, draft procedures and technical guidance, advise campuses on regulatory compliance, oversee required filings, and coordinate systemwide tax training to maintain consistent reporting standards.
Supervise Maintenance of the Systemwide Financial Structure
Direct maintenance of the CSU’s uniform financial reporting structure across universities, the Chancellor’s Office, and component units. Oversee development and maintenance of systemwide data definitions, chart of accounts structures, and derivation rules across financial applications. Ensure accurate preparation of year-end financial statements submitted to the State Controller’s Office and serve as a functional expert for the FIRMS, a proprietary database, to promote data integrity and comparability.
Assists in Management of Project Workflow
Ensure timely completion of technical requests and projects in alignment with established service standards. Research complex accounting and reporting issues, develop well-supported recommendations, and advise Chancellor’s Office and campus financial services professionals on sound accounting and reporting practices.
Special projects as assigned
Support the Director with strategic initiatives and assignments, serve as designee when needed, and mentor colleagues to strengthen systemwide technical accounting capability.
Qualifications
This position requires:
-Bachelor's degree in accounting, related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
-Minimum of 5 years related experience in financial statement preparation/consolidation/analysis.
-Minimum of 3 years' experience in a lead role.
-Supervisory experience is required.
-Minimum of 5 years of experience in technical research, including the development implementation approaches for new accounting standards, creating documentation and delivering training to a wide-ranging audience.
-Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications
-Five (5) years of CSU experience or higher education experience in the Finance area.
-Working knowledge of GAAP and GAAS, and familiarity with GASB (Governmental Accounting Standards Board) and/or FASB (Financial Accounting Standards Board) standards.
-Knowledgeable and experienced in writing policies, process guides (“how to” guides) and training documents.
-Expert in utilizing the Microsoft suite of applications – Excel, Word, PowerPoint, SharePoint, and other applications in Office 365.
-Experience using the PeopleSoft ERP system and other finance related systems.
-Must possess the ability to collaborate with Subject Matter Experts to develop guidance, materials and deliver training on these topics.
-Exceptional interpersonal and customer service skills.
-Experience in creating and using survey applications like Survey Monkey or QuestionPro.
Application Period
Priority consideration will be given to candidates who apply by March 19, 2026. Applications will be accepted until the job posting is removed.
How To Apply
Please click "Apply Now" to complete the California State University, Chancellor's Office online employment application.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, the CSU provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who self-disclose by contacting the Senior Human Resources Manager at (562) 951-4070.
Title IX
Please view the Notice of Non-Discrimination on the Basis of Gender or Sex and Contact Information for Title IX Coordinator at: https://www2.calstate.edu/titleix
E-Verify
This position requires new hire employment verification to be processed through the E-Verify program administered by the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (DHSUSCIS)' in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA).
If hired, you will be required to furnish proof that you are legally authorized to work in the United States. The CSU Chancellor’s Office is not a sponsoring agency for staff and Management positions (i.e., H1-B VISAS).
COVID19 Vaccination Policy
Per the CSU COVID-19 Vaccination Policy, it is strongly recommended that all Chancellor’s Office employees who are accessing office and campus facilities follow COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications.
Mandated Reporter Per CANRA
The person holding this position is considered a 'mandated reporter' under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.
Conflict of Interest
The duties of this position will include participation in decisions that may have a material financial benefit to the incumbent. Therefore, the selected candidate will be required to file Conflict of Interest Form 700: Statement of Economic Interest when they first occupy the position, and on an annual basis, complete ethics training within 6 months of appointment, and attend this training every other year thereafter.
CSU Out of State Employment Policy
California State University, Office of the Chancellor, as part of the CSU system, is a State of California Employer. As such, the University requires all employees upon date of hire to reside in the State of California. As of January 1, 2022, the CSU Out-of-State Employment Policy prohibits the hiring of employees to perform CSU-related work outside the state of California.
Background
The Chancellor's Office policy requires that the selected candidate successfully complete a full background check (including a criminal records check) prior to assuming this position.
Learn more about working at the California State University and the impact of our mission.