Senior Award Accountant - 140522

Business & Financial Services (BFS) at UC San Diego is a dynamic and essential part of the university's financial operations, overseen by the Assistant Vice Chancellor and UC San Diego Controller.

BFS is comprised of several specialized divisions that collectively manage the university's financial resources and supports UC San Diego's academic and research mission. These divisions include Office of the Controller, Financial Operations & Sponsored Projects Finance, Internal Controls & Accounting, Financial Insights & Training Solutions, Student Financial Solutions, and Finance & Administration.

With an annual budget of approximately $20 million, BFS offers a collaborative and innovative environment where more than 150 career staff and a diverse team of student assistants, contractors, and casual employees work together to form the backbone of the university's financial infrastructure.

The Sponsored Projects Finance (SPF) division at UC San Diego is a cornerstone of financial oversight and compliance, managing $1.7 billion in research funding-approximately 60% of the university's portfolio. Supporting more than 4,000 active research awards across the Health Sciences, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, and General Campus, SPF ensures regulatory compliance, provides strategic guidance to principal investigators, department staff, and leadership, and drives continuous business process improvements.

SPF empowers campus stakeholders with essential financial tools and training, enhancing their ability to navigate complex research funding requirements. Through its comprehensive services-including financial reporting, accounts receivable and cash management, effort reporting, payroll and expense transfer approvals, and cost share monitoring-SPF upholds the university's commitment to financial integrity, cost accountability, and the advancement of its research mission.

Serves as Senior Award Accountant within Sponsored Projects Finance - a division of Business and Financial Services (BFS). This position is considered a subject matter expert and serves in a Senior Capacity to the division and the campus in support of sponsored research by providing exceptional post-award financial management, to include support to campus departments and sponsoring agencies/entities.

This position will handle cash and financial management, along with reconciliation, using advanced accounting concepts to resolve highly complex issues. The senior accountant will manage awards of varying complexity, independently resolving unique post-award issues without precedent or structure. Additionally, they will serve as point of contact between the team and sponsor and will prepare sponsor-specific training tools for the team and the campus. This position will also provide guidance and counsel on a wide variety of highly complex research administration matters to Principal Investigators, senior departmental administrators, and less experienced department staff.

• This position requires a hybrid work arrangement, which includes a combination of onsite (2 days/week) and remote work.

• Experience with all types of award mechanisms, including grants, contracts, subcontracts, and cooperative agreements. Experience in post-award management, or equivalent experience in higher education/similar setting. Advanced knowledge in the post-award financial management process on highly complex award mechanisms.

• Demonstrated advanced competence in the use of spreadsheet and database software in financial analysis, fiscal management and financial reports. Advanced proficiency Microsoft suite of applications, and the ability to quickly master additional software as needed. Demonstrated ability to effectively use information technology and process redesign methodologies in creating, designing, and implementing new processes.

• Extensive knowledge and experience of program administration guidelines of Federal and non-Federal sponsors supporting research and educational activities, preferably in a university environment. Proven ability to independently comprehend, analyze, and interpret terminology and phrasing in agency guidelines and regulations and University policy and procedure manuals. Ability to apply knowledge in preparing financial reports.

• Full knowledge of Federal Acquisition Regulation, Code of Federal Regulations, sponsor-specific policies, intellectual property policy, conflict of interest requirements, publication rights, application of indirect cost rates and other complex concepts in research administration.

• Experience in motivational and moral building techniques with ability to create and maintain team spirit and harmony. Skills to provide coaching and mentoring to professional staff and student employees.

• Ability to manage high volume and complex transactions. Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal direction, effectively prioritize responsibilities, and meet multiple conflicting deadlines to produce quality results.

• Ability to perform highly complex financial analysis and customized reporting. Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal direction, effectively prioritize responsibilities, and meeting multiple conflicting deadlines to produce quality results.

• Ability to maintain independent judgment; strong organization and communication skills; and a customer service focus across broad and diverse subject areas. Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal skills with the ability to exercise tact, diplomacy, and flexibility to promote positive working relationships and job effectiveness. Strong problem-solving, conflict resolution, and troubleshooting skills with the ability to exercise mature judgement and maintain confidentiality.

• Maintains knowledge of and ability to interpret and apply sponsor, institutional and departmental policies. Knowledge of current compliance regulations in all areas of research administration.

• Demonstrated advanced knowledge of generally accepted accounting, fiscal and reporting principles.

• Ability to interpret policy for others.

• Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on Background Check results.