Lead- Accounting Operations

Company: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Location: Memphis
Posted on: April 1, 2026

Job Description:

The Lead–Accounting Operations plays a key role in the financial backbone of the Hospitality Services Department, overseeing internal controls and daily financial operations to ensure accuracy, compliance, and efficiency. They create clear monthly financial reports, lead the annual budgeting process, and collaborate with senior leadership to drive meaningful process improvements. This role benefits from restaurant or hospitality experience and is responsible for operating POS, ERP, and recipe costing systems to support smooth financial operations. Service industry environments energize ideal candidates and bring the financial insight needed to run a lean, high-performing operation. Knowledge of the Workday enterprise system is preferred. Job Responsibilities: Oversee coordination of the annual Internal Controls and Financial Statement audits performed by external auditors by preparing audit schedules at varying levels. Reconcile and analyze complex accounts in compliance with departmental policy while adhering to established deadlines. Prepare and maintain clear and detailed supporting documentation and financial statements. Coordinate proactively with cross-functional teams (e.g., principal investigators, research groups, other departments) to prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual reports. Track key metrics for own area, oversee reporting/ dashboards, and highlight issues or gaps to senior management. Participate in the development and implementation of policies and procedures to improve efficiency for own area (e.g., payroll, accounts payable, travel processes). Perform other duties as assigned to meet the goals and objectives of the department and institution. Maintains regular and predictable attendance. Minimum Education and/or Training: Bachelor's degree in accounting, auditing, finance, or related field of study required. Master's degree preferred. Minimum Experience: Minimum Requirement: 5 years of accounting experience working with a general ledger and related financial information systems. Experience with accounting standards and regulations (e.g., IRS, US GAAP, Uniform Guidance, hospital regulations) within a specific area. Experience working with cross-functional teams. (People Managers only) Some experience managing/mentoring people. Proven performance in earlier role. Licensure, Registration, and/or Certification Required by SJCRH Only: Professional certification (e.g., Certified Public Accountant (CPA)/Certified Research Accountant (CRA)/Certified Management Accountant (CMA)) preferred. Special Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities: Plans workload for team and gives clear instructions and expectations on delivery. Frequently reviews work, gives positive and constructive feedback, and completes evaluations. Coaches and supports the development efforts of each team member. Ability to provide financial/ business analysis and ad-hoc financial modelling. Strong knowledge of internal controls and financial risk management. Skills to develop and implement analytical standards for reporting and modelling KPIs. Can utilize models to perform ad hoc analyses. Proactively keeps track of changing regulatory and quality standards to align processes for compliance within own area. Effectively monitors compliance with financial regulatory requirements and reports issues. Utilizes reports and manages documentation to efficiently monitor financial compliance requirements within own function/ department. Leads team meetings on an as-needed basis and effectively communicates with cross-functional teams for results. Understands and uses digital tools of communication as needed. Speaks up in meetings, raises concerns, and shares information with the team. Able to draw insights from different sets of data and quickly understand why issues are happening. Solves problems quickly by identifying the root causes. Encourages others to see the opportunities ahead amidst changing circumstances, even when the details have not been finalized. Remains calm in challenging and uncertain times by focusing on the end goals and solving problems. Defuses any unforeseen developments and problems by leveraging data analysis and insights. Maintains focus on goals. Drives engagement and ownership for the group to deliver ambitious results and solutions. Uses deep understanding of financial systems, tools, and processes. Deep skills in closing and advanced financial reporting and analyses; strong grasp of reporting standards. Manages technically complex accounting and reporting issues/ processes. Develops documentation, procedures, and instructions. Skilled in all aspects of accounting operations, including accounts payable & receivable, collections, and cash projection processes. Reviews reports, ledgers, detects frauds, bad debts, and ensures policies and controls are adhered to. Drives process improvement projects within the department to improve efficiency. Physical Demands and Working Conditions: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; kneel, use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet. An essential function of the job is to be able to comply with all applicable federal, state, and local safety and health regulations that would apply to this job. The employee must move about the workspace to access work surface and shelves, cabinets, drawers, and equipment that are at, below, or above the work surface. Nothing in this job description limits management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time as business needs dictate. This job description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions; it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. The information contained herein is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of the duties and responsibilities of the job, nor is it intended to be an all-inclusive list of the skills and abilities required to do the job. The successful candidate will demonstrate experience and proficiency in the following areas: Track key metrics for the Food Service Department, oversee reporting/dashboards, and highlight issues or gaps to senior leaders Serving as a Cost Center Manager with oversight of financial performance Utilizing Workday and other financial management systems Managing financial services operations Administering accounts payable and accounts receivable functions Preparing and analyzing month-to end financial reports Supporting budget management and leading the annual budgeting process Tracking and reporting cost-saving initiatives Participate in the development and implementation of policies and procedures to improve efficiency for own area (e.g., payroll, accounts payable, travel processes) Develop an operational understanding of key systems, including the department's point-of-sale, ERP, and recipe management/costing systems. Perform other duties as assigned to meet the goals and objectives of the department and institution. Compensation In recognition of certain U.S. state and municipal pay transparency laws, St. Jude is including a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. This is an estimate offered in good faith and a specific salary offer takes into account factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the salary range and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current salary range is $78,000 - $139,360 per year for the role of Lead- Accounting Operations. Explore our exceptional benefits ! St. Jude is an Equal Opportunity Employer No Search Firms St. Jude Children's Research Hospital does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. Please do not call or email. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee or other representative at St. Jude via email, the internet or in any form and/or method without a valid written search agreement in place and approved by HR will result in no fee being paid in the event the candidate is hired by St. Jude.

Keywords: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis , Lead- Accounting Operations, Accounting, Auditing , Memphis, Tennessee