Accounting Specialist (One-Year Term)

Organization Summary

Cascade Asset Management Company (“Cascade”) is the private investment firm that manages a multi-billion-dollar portfolio on behalf of Bill Gates and the Gates Foundation Trust. Cascade’s mission is to generate superior long-term returns to support and advance the vital work of Mr. Gates and the Gates Foundation.

Led by the same Chief Investment Officer for more than 30 years, Cascade has built a strong track record through a fundamental, long-horizon investment approach. Cascade invests across asset classes and geographies, primarily through direct investments, as well as a select group of funds and segregated accounts.

Cascade is headquartered in the Seattle, Washington area. We operate in a hybrid work environment, with three in-office and two remote workdays per week.

Team Description

Our 13-person Finance team is responsible for overseeing accounting operations for Cascade, maintaining accounting systems, executing and improving our financial processes and internal controls, supporting our investment professionals, as well as our Tax and Performance teams and providing financial analysis and reporting.

Position Description

We are looking for a motivated, detail-oriented Accounting Specialist to join our Finance team for a one-year limited-term role. In this role, you’ll provide hands-on accounting support across key areas such as fixed assets, tax, capital expenditures, reconciliations and financial reporting.

You’ll work alongside experienced finance professionals, take ownership of recurring responsibilities, and gain exposure to financial systems and data across the organization. This is a great opportunity to build practical accounting and analytical skills while contributing ideas to improve how we work as a team.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with the Finance team’s accountants to produce our annual tax packages
• Collect, prepare, import, and reconcile externally managed accounting data into Cascade’s accounting system
• Perform data import tie-outs and reconciliations to help ensure the completeness and accuracy of financial information
• Review and reconcile capital tracking information to support accounting records and
  investigate differences
• Prepare and coordinate capital spend data imports into capital budgeting database, including reviewing data for completeness and accuracy
• Support fixed asset accounting, including placing assets in service and reconciling annual
  depreciation activity
• Prepare monthly bank reconciliations and research reconciling items
• Prepare the monthly consolidated cash report and supporting schedules
• Prepare and support Sales & Use Tax and B&O tax filings and maintain related
  supporting documentation
• Assist with annual budget tie-outs and FF&E reserve entries
• Contribute to process improvement and knowledge-sharing initiatives by helping document key Finance processes, enhance existing procedures, and organize process resources so information is current, easy to navigate, and free of unnecessary duplication
• Take on additional projects and learning opportunities as they arise

Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field preferred; recent graduates and candidates early in their careers are encouraged to apply
• 0-3 years of accounting or finance experience through coursework, internships, or previous employment is preferred
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills and comfort working with financial data, including formulas, lookups, PivotTables, sorting/filtering, and reconciliations
• Experience and interest in using AI to improve processes, automate tasks, increase efficiency, and support reconciliations and analysis (Microsoft CoPilot preferred)
• Detail-oriented and organized, with a strong commitment to quality and accuracy
• Naturally curious, with an interest in understanding financial processes and solving problems
• Ability to manage multiple recurring responsibilities and meet deadlines
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• High level of professionalism and integrity
• Interest in asset management or real estate industries

What We Offer

Cascade is committed to paying employees equitably for substantially similar work. Base salary for this position will be determined during the interview process and will vary based on multiple reasons, including but not limited to relevant experience, knowledge, education, and degree to which a candidate meets the role requirements, current business needs, and market factors. A reasonable estimate of the current base salary range for this position will generally be between $95,000 to $105,000 per year, but the final salary offered may be outside this range based on these reasons and individual circumstances. Additionally, base salary is only part of the total compensation package as we believe that our employees are the reason for our success, and in recognition of their contributions, eligible employees may participate in a generous annual performance-based discretionary bonus program.

Cascade proudly supports our employees and their families with a comprehensive fully paid benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, long-term disability insurance, and a generous employer match to 401(k) retirement savings contributions. Employees are also eligible for 18 days of paid vacation each year for the first four years of employment, eight paid holidays, up to three floating holidays per year, up to 14 days of sick leave, and a generous paid parental and family leave program. Our benefits also include several employee wellness programs and mental health resources, a charitable giving match, and reimbursement for fitness, daycare, and/or commuter expenses.

What We Value

Cascade is deeply committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and all applicants seeking employment. All employment decisions are based on a candidate’s or employee’s capabilities and qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, age, national origin, citizenship, veteran or military status, disability, genetic information, or any other status or characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Questions regarding accommodation requests due to a disability should be directed to Human Resources.

Employment Requirements

Upon hire, you are required to present proof of your eligibility to legally work in the U.S.