General Accountant 4 [CAMPUS ONLY recruitment]

This is a CAMPUS ONLY recruitment. Only current employees, or former employees with current Preferential Rehire rights will be considered for this position. Former employees with Preferential Rehire rights should apply through the external candidate gateway and identify themselves as such in their application to be considered for this position.

Current UCSC employees must apply to the job posting in the Internal Candidate Gateway. If you accessed this recruitment through the Internal UCSC gateway, you can apply via the "Apply" button at the bottom of this job posting. If you accessed this recruitment through the external gateway, you should access the internal job posting by going to the jobs.ucsc.edu weblink and clicking the "Internal UCSC Applicants" button.

If you are a current UCSC employee and apply through the External Candidate Gateway, you will not be considered for this position.

HOW TO APPLY

For full consideration, applicants should attach their resume and cover letter when applying for a job opening. For guidance related to the application process or if you are experiencing difficulties when applying, please review the Applicant Resources on our website.

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INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)

UC Santa Cruz jobs are posted until filled. All application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring team for consideration. NOTE: Applicants who miss the IRD are still encouraged to apply; their materials will still be forwarded for consideration if requested by the hiring team. Application materials cannot be accepted outside of the jobs portal. Applications cannot be edited on an applicant's behalf. For more information about the IRD and the applicant review process, view this link.

The IRD for this job is: 10-07-2026

ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ

UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

Accounting Services provides campus-wide accounting, financial reporting, and fiduciary controls. The unit ensures compliance with federal, state, and university policies while maintaining the integrity of the campus general ledger, managing financial systems, and producing analytical reports for decision-making.

JOB SUMMARY

The General Accountant serves as a technical expert and resource for complex university accounting, fund management, and financial reporting. Working with a high degree of independence, the position analyzes, monitors, prepares, and reconciles financial information; manages complex accounting activities, including intercompany, cash, bank, unidentified deposits, and investment accounting; and ensures accuracy, compliance, and effective internal controls. The position identifies accounting and process gaps, recommends improvements, develops and implements accounting procedures, and provides analytical support for internal and external audits. The incumbent also develops training and provides technical guidance to campus financial managers and analysts on financial systems, reporting, and internal controls.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $109,550 - $128,500/annually. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.
Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.

Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits

Schedule Information:

• Full-time, Fixed
• Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week
• Days of the Week: Mon-Fri
• Shift Includes: Day

Employee Classification: Career appointment

Job End Date: None

Work Location: REMOTE

Union Representation: Non-Represented

Job Code Classification: GEN ACCOUNTANT 4 (007734)

Travel: Never or Rarely

JOB DUTIES

40% - Advanced General Ledger Accounting, Analysis, & Financial Reporting

• Independently prepare and review complex, multi-fund financial statements, documented adjusting ledger entries, and detailed explanatory notes to financial statements.
• Research, compile, and reconcile diverse revenue and expenditure streams, compiling independently verifiable supporting documentation from campus financial systems (including FIS, FMW, and InfoView). This includes monthly reconciliations of balances and transactions among University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC), University of California, Office of the President (UCOP), and other UC campuses; research and resolve discrepancies; and prepare correcting entries as needed. Reconcile campus cash and bank activity and research unidentified deposits to determine where within the University the funds belong and the appropriate organization, fund, and accounting treatment.
• Conduct comprehensive audits of transaction data to ensure compliance with allowable expenses, appropriate fund accounting classifications, and correct account coding; prepare detailed crosswalk spreadsheets to reconcile differences between budget, expense line items, and ledgers.
• Reconcile various campus income sources, program revenues, and lease/licensing agreements to general ledger balances, ensuring accuracy and appropriate distribution of funds.
• Interpret complex contract documents, campus policies, and Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) guidelines to translate raw contract/financial details into precise financial statement disclosures.
• Identify recurring accounting and reconciliation issues and recommend improvements to processes, controls, or systems, including measures that reduce unidentified deposits and recurring manual research.

30% - Budgetary Control & Fund Management

• Provide strategic financial planning, multi-year budget projections, and variance analysis to unit heads and divisional directors to inform critical management and asset decisions.
• Serve as the senior unit approver for financial transactions; evaluate, recommend, and approve appropriate purchasing and payment vouchers (including travel reimbursements, expense requests, and procurement card statements) for accuracy, policy compliance, and proper fund utilization.
• Drive the implementation and enhancement of internal financial management systems and associated administrative processes. Create linked multi-sheet Excel workbooks to link detailed department-level data to university-level summary worksheets.
• Prepare specialized annual reports, such as possessory interest and property tax exemption filings, ensuring alignment with UC and state deadlines.

20% - Audit Support & Quality Assurance

• Lead the coordination of campus-level audit preparation. Develop, compile, and organize robust supporting documentation to satisfy University, State, and Federal audit requirements.
• Research, analyze, and make professional recommendations for responses to findings from Internal Audit and external regulatory bodies.
• Establish and enforce quality assurance protocols for transaction entry, reconciliation workflows, and administrative financial tasks completed by department staff.

10% - Training & Consultation

• Develop comprehensive training curriculum and lead instructional sessions for department financial managers and analysts regarding university policy updates, fund accounting systems, internal controls, and reports.
• Design and execute complex financial business case analyses and alternative financing strategies (e.g., cash flow projections and NPV analyses) in support of capital projects, space allocation, or asset management decisions.
• Act as the primary technical accounting liaison, working in close collaboration with capital accounting, purchasing, physical planning, and central budget teams.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience in Accounting.
• Advanced experience in conducting financial statement audits and transaction reviews to detect and correct classification errors.
• Extensive knowledge of accounting systems for fund accounting, as well as complex institutional ledger operations.
• Proven ability in analyzing and interpreting large-scale financial datasets from complex, multi-divisional institutions.
• Expert-level skills in Excel, including designing linked workbooks, complex formulas, and macro-enabled models to synthesize raw ledger data into strategic reports.
• Excellent analysis and comprehension skills to interpret complex legal agreements, system policies, and accounting guidelines.
• Advanced interpersonal skills to tactfully interact with diverse campus units and senior leadership.
• Advanced written communication skills.
• Advanced verbal communication skills.
• Meticulous attention to detail to produce reports that are timely, accurate, and in complete compliance with University specifications.
• Proven ability to exercise utmost discretion and maintain strict confidentiality when handling sensitive financial and employee materials.
• Proven ability to operate with a high degree of autonomy, managing multiple competing priorities under tight, non-negotiable deadlines.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Lead Accountant in preparing GAAP-compliant financial statements.
• UC System Expertise: Knowledge of University of California financial policies, procedures, and information technology systems (such as SAP Business Objects, InfoView, or central data warehouses).
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Certification
• Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) Certification
  

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check.
• Selected candidate must pass the employment misconduct disclosure process.
• Ability to work long periods of time at a computer with or without accommodation.
• The selected candidate has the option to work a hybrid work schedule. If a hybrid work schedule is confirmed, the selected candidate must be able to work successfully from a home/remote office and be able to fulfill the requirements of the UCSC telecommuting agreement.
• Ability to maintain appearance and conduct suitable for working in a professional setting.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
• The University of California has implemented a Vaccination Policy covering all employees. Employees, including new hires, are required to comply with any applicable policies relating to the University of California vaccine program.
• Exercise the utmost discretion in managing sensitive information learned in the course of performing their duties. Sensitive information includes but is not limited to employee and student records, health and patient records, financial data, strategic plans, proprietary information and any other sensitive or non-public information learned during the course and scope of employment. Understands that sensitive information should be shared on a limited basis and actively takes steps to limit access to sensitive information to individuals who have legitimate business need to know. Ensure that sensitive information is properly safeguarded. Follow all organizational policies and laws on data protection and privacy. This includes secure handling of physical and digital records and proper usage of IT systems to prevent data leaks. The unauthorized or improper disclosure of confidential work-related information obtained from any source on any work-related matter is a violation of these expectations.

MISCONDUCT DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENT

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

SAFETY STATEMENT

All UCSC employees must understand and follow job safety procedures, attend required health and safety training, proactively promote safety at work, and promptly report actual and potential accidents and injuries.

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY

EEO/AA

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status or other protected categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.

It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.