PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT - GENERAL ACCOUNTANT 5 - HYBRID

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Department Overview
UCOP Budget, Financial Planning & Analysis provides strategic support in financial planning, policy analysis, and fiscal administration to UCOP. The group provides analyses of policies and programs, assists in the determination of UCOP's financial priorities and develops strategies designed to achieve these priorities. The team partners with departments to align UCOP's resources with its strategic needs and goals and delivers insightful financial analysis and forecasting to support UCOP leadership to make effective and strategic funding, financial and operational decisions.

Position Summary
The UCOP Principal Accountant is responsible, under general direction, for all aspects of UCOP's accounting function, including oversight of accounting entries, capital/fixed asset recording, reconciliations, financial reporting, and compliance with applicable accounting standards. The Principal Accountant leads monthly and annual fiscal close activities, and interfaces, as needed, with external auditors. This role ensures appropriate use of restricted fund sources and reconciles all UCOP funds. The Principal Accountant advises leadership on documentation and updates for relevant processes and procedures, to ensure accuracy and integrity of financial data. Reporting to the Executive Director of Budget, Financial Planning & Analysis, the Principal Accountant is responsible for providing financial expertise and analysis related to UCOP's accounting and financial reporting functions. The position collaborates closely with colleagues in Budget, Financial Planning & Analysis, the Systemwide Controller's Office, and the Business Resource Center, among others, to accurately reflect operating and capital transactions and support comprehensive financial reporting. As a newly established role, the Principal Accountant will exercise a high degree of independence, initiative, and professional judgment in developing and implementing financial accounting and reporting processes and tools that may not currently exist. The incumbent will play a key role in establishing financial dashboards, developing performance metrics, and recommending best practices to improve the quality, consistency, and accessibility of financial information across the organization. Having wide-ranging accounting-related experience, the incumbent uses accounting concepts and standards aligned with organizational objectives to resolve complex accounting issues. Handles assignments where analysis of data requires an in-depth evaluation of variable factors and multiple sources of accounting and finance related information. Exercises judgment in selecting methods, techniques and evaluation criteria for obtaining results. Determines methods and procedures on new assignments. This position works with Internal and external contacts pertaining to accounting and financial reporting matters of significance to the department and the organization. Is considered a subject matter expert and often recognized as an expert externally in the industry.

Key Responsibilities

25% Financial Reporting - Oversees the preparation of financial statements, ensuring accuracy and completeness of the income statement; Partners with Systemwide Controller's Office to create balance sheet and capital asset tracking; Ensures compliance with accounting standards (GAAP, GASB, FASB).

20% Internal Controls and Reconciliation - Maintains ledger accounts and supports reconciliation processes across UCOP departments; Contributes to the implementation and monitoring of internal control procedures; Ensures accuracy and integrity of accounting data through periodic review and validation; Ensures compliance with relevant laws and regulations, adhering to federal, state, and local laws, as well as industry-specific regulations; Identifies financial risks including operational risk; Ensure audit readiness.

25% Operational Accounting Duties - Manages UCOP's monthly accounting closing including Project Portfolio Management (PPM) and Fixed Asset modules in Oracle. Prepares journal entries and monitors general ledger transactions; Supports accounts payable, receivable, and payroll accounting processes; Assists with correction journals, project cost transfers, and fixed asset tracking; Oversee UCOP's real estate portfolio for compliance with Lease Accounting standards.

20% Capital Projects and Fixed Assets - Responsible for the organization's capital project entries and capitalization activities; Partners with Systemwide Controller's Office to process debt service entries.

10% Technology Implementation - Helps maintain and verify data accuracy in Oracle and other financial platforms; Evaluates and implements accounting system updates, enhancements, as well as interfaces with outside systems; Ensures and leads all required testing and data reviews for UCOP financial systems; Ensure data integrity and security: coordinate with Digital Innovation & Technology (DigIT) to protect financial data from unauthorized access, loss, or corruption.

Experience
Required Qualifications

Minimum 10 years progressively responsible experience in accounting, preferably in a fund accounting environment. High level of experience using financial systems to input transactions, reconcile data and produce financial reports.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience using enterprise accounting systems (Oracle preferred), a plus.

Skills and Abilities
Required Qualifications

Expert level accounting-related knowledge and skills; in-depth knowledge of the accounting function.

Highly experienced using financial transactions and financial systems, as well as related policy, accounting, and unique and complex regulatory compliance requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

Expert knowledge of analytical procedures used in accounting projects of complex scope which involve unique issues.

Education
Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in accounting or finance or related area

Licenses and Certifications
Preferred Qualifications

Professional certification preferred.

Travel Requirements
5% Occasional travel for training may be required

Job Title
General Accountant 5

Job Code
005970

Salary Grade
Grade 24

Payscale:
$138,000 - $150,100, Commensurate with Experience

The University of California, Office of the President, is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. 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, 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 full salary range shows the growth potential for this position and the pay scale is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position.

Benefits: For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University visit: Benefits of Belonging

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

HOW TO APPLY

Please be prepared to attach a cover letter and resume with your application.

APPLICATION REVIEW DATE

The first review date for this job is October 20, 2026. If needed, add: The position will be open until filled.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Background Check Process: Successful completion of a background check is required for this critical position. Background check process at UCOP

Smoke Free Work Environment: The University of California, Office of the President, is smoke & tobacco-free as of January 1, 2014. UC Smoke & Tobacco Free Policy

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs, as may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal 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.
  • UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
  • UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties
  • APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment

EEO STATEMENT

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 status under state or federal law.

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