Director of Accounting (7734U), University Development and Alumni Relations - #77598

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty and staff.

As a world-leading institution, Berkeley is known for its academic and research excellence, public mission, diverse student body, and commitment to equity and social justice. Since our founding in 1868, we have driven innovation, creating global intellectual, economic and social value.

We are looking for applicants who reflect California's diversity and want to be part of an inclusive, equity-focused community that views education as a matter of social justice. Please consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles, Principles of Community, and Strategic Plan.

At UC Berkeley, we believe that learning is a fundamental part of working, and provide space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups (staff organizations). Our goal is for everyone on the Berkeley campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support this by providing all of our full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours (10 days) of paid time per year to engage in professional development activities. Find out more about how you can grow your career at UC Berkeley.

University Development and Alumni Relations (UDAR) strengthens Berkeley's excellence through engagement with alumni, parents, undergraduate and graduate students and friends of the university, raising public awareness about Berkeley and increasing private philanthropy. UDAR provides overall direction for the campus's philanthropic advancement strategies and works to strengthen development with campus fundraisers.

Advancement Operation's Department Overview

Advancement Operations delivers foundational infrastructure and services for the campus's advancement community, and manages the operations of UDAR. Its subject matter expertise encompasses information technology, data management, data analytics, institutional reporting, project management, gift acceptance, gift processing, compliance, donor relations, stewardship, accounting, treasury, budget, business operations, facilities, human resources, DEIBJ and organizational development. Its work is accomplished by more than 100 team members working in its eight component units - Advancement Information Services, Gift Services, Fund Stewardship and Compliance, Donor Relations, Finance and Administration, DEIBJ, Information Strategy and Analysis and Talent and Organizational Management.

Position Overview

Gift and Investment Accounting (GIA) reports into Finance and Administration, is responsible for the accounting, reporting, asset management, and treasury activities of the UC Berkeley Foundation. GIA does this in partnership with the Berkeley Endowment Management Company (BEMCO), the investment company managing the $2.9 billion Foundation's endowment pool. GIA performs the accounting and reporting on all financial gifts to the University and the Foundation, including endowment funds. GIA manages and distributes current use gifts and endowment payout from the Foundation to the campus units and the University affiliates.

The Director of Accounting plays a critical leadership role within UC Berkeley's financial operations, specifically overseeing the accounting functions related to the University's and UCB Foundation's gift and endowment funds. This includes analyzing, preparing, and reconciling financial data, ensuring compliance with internal and external reporting requirements, and developing or refining accounting systems, policies, and procedures. The position supervises a team of three senior accountants and provides strategic direction aligned with institutional goals.

Operating with a high degree of autonomy, the Director of Accounting serves as a technical expert in a specialized field. The role requires advanced problem-solving skills to address complex or unprecedented issues and involves setting team priorities, managing workflows, and advising on policy changes. This position is vital in safeguarding financial integrity and supporting informed decision-making across the organization.

The First Review Date for this job is: Monday, April 28, 2025

Gift Accounting Supervision and Oversight

• Provides direct supervision to three exempt senior accountants.
• Reviews and approves their financial journals, data analysis, and account reconciliations.
• Selects, develops, and evaluates personnel to ensure the efficient operation of their respective accounting functions.

Accounting Management and Data Analysis

• Analyzes, monitors, prepares and reconciles Regents endowment funds. Prepares financial journals. Distributes Regents annual endowment payout.
• Maintains and updates the Berkeley Financial System Allocation Module for Regent Endowment Income allocation. The Allocation tree is complex with different chartstrings and distribution guidelines.
• Maintains and updates Business Unit "J" location Allocation Tree in Berkeley Financial System.
• Develops various complex query reports in BFS tier-2 and advanced CalAnswer reports for complex analysis.
• Using UCOP financial system to generate Regents Endowment Reports.
• Acts as an accounting advisor to campus and UDAR departments. Resolves accounting and financial reporting problems.

Gift Suspense Account Review and Corrections (Regent and Foundation)

• Prepare accrual journals for the fiscal close.
• Resolve issues including process improvements.

Foundation Bank Account Reconciliation

• Analyze the variance by transaction types, such as wire, ach, lockbox, credit card, and remote deposit.

Foundation Correction Request from DGS via C2B

• Prepare Foundation correction journals and Regent correspondence journals if necessary by 5th business days before monthly close.

Financial Audit and Special Projects

• Participates in annual external financial audits and special projects such as financial system conversion and enhancements, financial analysis, accounting processes improvements, and special projects.

Gift Accounting Subject Matter Expert

• Serves as an accounting subject expert to participate in the development, implementation and/or maintenance of accounting system BFS, gift processing system CADS, and Journal Tool system in accordance with campus and department accounting policies and procedures. Recommends changes to accounting practices and processes.

Accounting Data Review

• Ensures the accurate compilation, analysis and reporting of accounting data and gift and endowment revenues.

• Minimum of three years of experience demonstrating working knowledge of financial transactions and financial systems, as well as related policy, accounting and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Minimum of five years applying knowledge of accounting systems, audit process and procedures, and internal control systems.
• Minimum of three years of experience demonstrating strong inter-personal skills, service orientation, ability to multi-task effectively in a varied, high volume environment, judgment and decision-making, reasoning, ability to develop original ideas to solve problems, and effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Must be proficient in use of Microsoft Office and common desktop/web applications.
• Has comprehensive knowledge of GAAP and GASB.
• Has ability to supervise, motivate, train, and lead staff.

Education Level

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training

• Familiar with complex relational database systems such as a donor and alumni relationship database and a working understanding about data integration and sharing between financial management system and other complex database systems.

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $120,000 - $130,000, and is commensurate with experience, salary placement guidelines, and staff equity in UDAR and on the Berkeley campus.

• This is a 100% full-time (40 hours per week), career position that is eligible for full UC benefits.
• This position is exempt and paid monthly.
  
  

• This position is Bay Area-based and eligible for 100% remote work. Exact arrangements are determined in partnership with your supervisor to meet role responsibilities, department needs and travel expectations, and are subject to change.
• This position is not eligible for Visa sponsorship.

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.

This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. For more information about your rights as an applicant, please see the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission poster.

The University of California's Affirmative Action policy.

The University of California's Anti-Discrimination policy.