Accountant

This is an exempt, monthly paid position, eligible for UC benefits. See below.

This is a Santa Cruz based position that requires on campus work (generally 3 days per week). This position is eligible for partial remote work.

This is not a Visa-sponsored position.

Benefits to working at UC Santa Cruz include:

• Medical, Dental & Vision Care Insurance Plans
• UC Retirement Plans
• Group Term Life Insurance
• Legal Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• Paid Holidays plus accrued vacation and sick leave

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University visit here .

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 Talent Acquisition website. 

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INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)

Application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring unit for consideration. Materials submitted after the IRD will ONLY be forwarded at the request of the hiring unit. To ensure your application is routed for consideration, submit your materials before 11:59 p.m. on the IRD.  Talent Acquisition cannot accept application materials outside of the jobs portal, and is unable to update submitted applications on an applicant's behalf, or forward communications to the hiring units. For more information about the IRD and the applicant review process, view this link .

The IRD for this job is: 03-28-2024

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

The University Of California Observatories (UCO) is a Multi-Campus Research Unit of the University of California, with headquarters at the UC Santa Cruz campus. UCO operates on behalf of astronomers on eight UC campuses and two national laboratories and is comprised of extensive technical facilities, a business office, and telescope and support facilities at the Lick Observatory on Mt. Hamilton. UCO provides a scientific and administrative interface to the Keck Observatory on Maunakea, Hawai'i, and the Thirty-Meter Telescope international project, and supports the training of astronomy Ph.D.’s throughout the UC system.

More information can be found at: https://www.ucobservatories.org/

JOB SUMMARY

Under direction of the Associate Director of Business and Administration, the Accountant will provide support related to a variety of fiscal operations within UC Observatories, including financial budget analysis, financial projections, monitoring expenditures, reviewing various financial transactions, establishing and administering financial policies and procedures, performing journal entries and general ledger maintenance, completing month end closing responsibilities, and reporting financial performance.

The Accountant is an important member in the UC Observatories Business Office and supports several areas and services. This position is responsible for the fiscal management of various UC Observatories and Lick Observatory operating accounts, income, recharge, endowment and gift accounts, and other sources of funds. Contributes accounting expertise and compliance guidance in UCO's multi year budget planning process and management of facility services. Funds managed cover operational expenses, equipment purchases, travel and project support. This position requires a high degree of independence, analytics, accounting skills, problem solving skills, and attention to detail.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $99,650 - $117,000 / 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: UC Santa Cruz Main Campus

Union Representation: Non-Represented

Job Code Classification: 007734 (GEN ACCOUNTANT 4)

Travel: Never or Rarely

JOB DUTIES

45% - Financial Planning/Analysis and Budget Analysis

• Fulfill the general ledger internal audit function within UC Observatories (UCO). Responsible for unit compliance with all appropriate regulating authorities and performance of fiscal period close accounting duties and best practices. This function lies within the larger UC fiscal structure and under the guidance of UC fiscal procedures, processes, and policies.
• Apply professional concepts to perform moderate to complex financial analyses for UCO units, including budget and transaction queries for management decision making.
• Provide complex analysis for the development of the annual budgets.
• Evaluate data in financial and budgetary projections, comparing projections to past spending patterns and current projections.
• Independently develop and prepare regular and ad hoc financial reports for UCO units. This process includes running reports, verifying, researching and problem solving using campus financial systems, as appropriate.
• Coordinate and develop official monthly, quarterly, annual and ad-hoc reports.
• Monitor and report on the rate of expenditures of funds, notify management of trends toward over or under obligation of funds.
• Analyze data, develop solutions and present findings.
• Assist in the production of various annual financial reports.
• Stay abreast on campus Policy and Compliance as it relates to university financial management.
• Participate in the development and implementation of new and changing business processes.
• Other accounting and finance projects as assigned by Associate Director.

30% - Financial Transactions and Reporting

• Review and approve purchase orders and expense payments, including travel, reimbursements and direct payments to vendors. Review for accuracy, appropriately assigning and reconciling accounts and appropriate approvals.
• Monitor payments, assuring timely receipt and accuracy. Research and resolve any problems/issues.
• Serve as Pro-Card supervisor for multiple business office Pro-Cards. Review monthly Pro-Card statements and process transfers if needed.
• Serve as unit cashier for deposits of income and invoice payments. Review weekly Lick Observatory Gift Shop deposits.
• Review specific budget categories under budgetary review within assigned areas.
• Review and reconcile account ledgers.
• Prepare, process and authorize budget and expense transfers as needed.
• Produce monthly reports on account activities. Reconcile and provide monthly budget reports to management.
• Ensure that the appropriate internal controls are addressed, maintained and strengthened to protect University resources.
• Manage and complete fiscal closing for unit ensuring that accounts are balanced and cleared.
• Respond to financial transaction inquiries from units. Perform moderate to complex investigations within financial, budget and payroll systems in order to explain, clarify and/or correct financial transaction items in question.
• Work with appropriate campus office to reconcile errors.
• Support various closing processes and activities.
• Provide financial information in a precise, timely and user-friendly manner.

25% - Facilities Planning and Analysis Coordination

• Assist managing the budgets and expenditures for the accounts established for such work.
• Coordinate repairs, maintenance, moves, office furniture, modification orders, and construction projects related spaces assigned to the Division.
• Initiate and track work orders with Physical Plant and Physical Planning & Construction and outside vendors.
• Coordinate division space assignments, maintains and updates records on a routine basis. Coordinate with department/program managers to get headcounts, and accurate usage of spaces.
• Ergonomic Assessor for Division. Assist employees on performing ergonomic self-evaluations. Develops informative relationships with campus EH&S and Risk Services.
• Coordinator for: Disaster, Health and Safety, Ergonomics, Key Controller, phones, and office set up.
• Prepare the annual Rent and Utilities rates for employee housing located at Mount Hamilton property. Coordinate with central Payroll Office employees monthly rent and utilities payments.
• Reconcile and report yearly on rent and utilities charges by employees (residents).
• Coordinate property Insurance Claims.
• Coordinate and prepare the annual Space Usage report.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in related area and/ or equivalent experience and/or training.
• Experience with business, budgeting, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), policies, procedures and other Federal process and regulations.
• Advanced knowledge of accounting functions, financial data management and reporting systems.
• Knowledge and understanding of internal control practices and their impact on protecting University resources.
• Ability to extract, verify, and compile accounting information from multiple sources to complete work assignments.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Advanced interpersonal skills.
• Advanced verbal communication skills with the ability to effectively present complex accounting and finance related information.
• Advanced written communication skills with the ability to effectively represent complex accounting and finance related information in writing.
• Solid analytical and problem solving skills.
• Solid organizational skills with the ability to handle multiple tasks, work under pressure, successfully meet deadlines, and maintain a high level of competence, accuracy, and attention to detail.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• CPA
• Accounting
• Skills to provide coaching and mentoring to support staff.
• UC financial systems experience.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check.
• The selected candidate will be required to work a hybrid work schedule and must be able to work successfully from a home/remote office and fulfill the requirements of the UCSC telecommuting agreement.
• 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.
• Per the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), this position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter. The selected candidate will be required to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect as defined by CANRA and will be required to sign a Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse prior to commencing employment. CANRA Penal Codes, and related definitions, requirements, and responsibilities may be obtained here .

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.

EEO/AA

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, age or protected veteran status.  

For the University of California’s Affirmative Action Policy please visit:  https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4010393/PPSM-20

For the University of California’s Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination