JOB SUMMARY

The senior research accountant uses advanced contracts and grants concepts to manage the accounting for highly complex research programs. They will be responsible for the review of financial and administrative management requirements of research contract and grant proposals, awards and / or transactions to ensure compliance with institutional and sponsor policies. They will work independently to assess complex grant, contract and subcontract transactions where analysis requires an in-depth evaluation of variable factors such as multiple funding sources, cross-divisional and multi-campus activities. The accountant will be responsible for determining the appropriate method and for managing the distribution of funds to other campus units, to other UC campuses, and to external research partners. The accountant will serve as a technical specialist for cross-divisional research, accounting of Organized Research Units (ORUs), and state-funded research. This position will work with others to create training materials and/or provide trainings on areas of specialty. They will also be called upon to conduct financial analyses or audits, at the direction of campus leadership. This position is eligible for delegated authority.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in related area and / or equivalent experience and/or training.
• Extensive knowledge of program administration guidelines of Federal and non-Federal sponsors supporting research and educational activities, preferably in a university environment.
• Ability to manage high volume and complex financial transactions.
• Ability to perform highly complex financial analysis and customized reporting.
• Demonstrated advanced competence in the use of spreadsheet and database software in financial analysis, fiscal management and financial reports.
• Ability to maintain independent judgment.
• Effective organizational skills.
• Effective verbal communication skills.
• Effective written communication skills.
• Customer service skills.
• Maintains knowledge of and ability to interpret and apply sponsor, institutional and divisional policies. Knowledge of current compliance regulations in all areas of research administration.
• Demonstrated advanced knowledge of generally accepted accounting, fiscal and reporting principles.
• Experience with all types of award mechanisms, including grants, contracts, subcontracts, and cooperative agreements.
• 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.
• Ability to create training materials and provide training related to research accountant roles and responsibilities.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to interpret informational requests, determine appropriate analytical methods and provide narrative summary of results.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with financial and administrative systems used by the University of California (FIS Banner, Peoplesoft, Infoview)
• Experience with USDA Agricultural Experiment Station (AES) reporting requirements.

APPLICANTS ARE REQUIRED TO USE THE UCSC ON-LINE PROCESS

View full job description and access on-line application:
https://careerspub.universityofcalifornia.edu/psp/ucsc/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRSHRAM.HRSAPPSCHJOB.GBL?Page=HRSAPP_JBPST&Action=U&FOCUS=Applicant&SiteId=11&JobOpeningId=61268&PostingSeq=1
To ensure review of application materials by the hiring unit, they must be submitted on or before the initial review date (IRD) via the Staff Employment Opportunities web site; https://jobs.ucsc.edu. A computer is available at the UC Santa Cruz Staff Human Resources Office located at Scotts Valley Center. The Scotts Valley Center is located at 100 Enterprise Way, Suite E100, Scotts Valley, CA 95066. To learn more or to request disability accommodations, call 831-459-2009. Hearing impaired are encouraged to use the California Relay Service at 800-735-2922. UC Santa Cruz is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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, age, or protected veteran status. UC Santa Cruz is committed to excellence through diversity and strives to establish a climate that welcomes, celebrates, and promotes respect for the contributions of all students and employees.
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50% - Research Accounting

• Leads the organization, planning, establishment and monitoring of fiscal budget control of contracts and grants administration, budgets, support documents, gifts, endowments, state funds and privately funded projects for projects managed or supported by the Office of Research.
• Prepares, reviews and / or approves financial transactions.
• Administers, in coordination with central and divisional administrators, the administrative and financial aspects of complex, awarded projects with broad impact. Ensures complete and accurate collection of research management administration data at all stages of the contract and grant or state fund life cycle. Independently oversees award reporting and closeout. Administratively reviews complex grant or contract proposals budgets and awards, obtains / verifies necessary compliance approvals.

40% - Financial Analysis and Guidance

• Provides highly complex projections, analyses and recommendations for projects managed by OR and as requested by campus leadership.
• Independently gathers information as needed to perform financial analysis.
• Conducts financial analyses or audits as directed by senior staff and leadership. Prepares financial analysis of research unit budgets as part of annual and five-year review processes.
• Provides guidance and counsel on a wide variety of highly complex research administration matters to principal investigators, senior departmental administrators and less experienced department staff.
• Supports campus reporting requirements, as part of a team, for the Agriculture Experiment Station.

10% - Expertise and Training

• Maintains professional relationships with sponsor representatives including UCOP, state sponsors, UC Santa Cruz Government Relations Office to maintain current expertise and learn of new requirements.
• Delivers specialized training and / or develops content for education workshops in specialized areas of research administration, roles, responsibilities and best practices.