Finance Accountant

UC Santa Barbara; Santa Barbara (CA); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

UC Santa Barbara is seeking a Finance Accountant to administer the finances of student and study center programs. You will perform financial analysis, process expenditures, manage student accounts, and handle accounts payable and receivable, ensuring monthly reconciliations with the general ledger.

Under supervision, you will communicate with internal departments and external customers, ensure compliance with UC policies, and support year-end close activities while maintaining internal controls

Qualifications

• AA, BA, or BS in a related field with at least 2 years of AP/AR or equivalent.
• Proficiency in MS Office, especially Excel.
• Strong interpersonal, analytical, service orientation, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently and in a team, adapt to changing priorities.

Responsibilities

• Oversees student and study center finances; manages accounts payable/receivable and monthly GL reconciliation.
• Administers study center budgets, wires transfers, and ensures compliance with UC policies.

Skills

MS Excel

Financial analysis

Communication

Detail oriented

Teamwork

Education

AA/BA/BS in related field

Job description

Finance Accountant

Brief Summary Of Job Duties

Under general supervision of the section supervisors, administers the business of student and study center finances for assigned programs. Performs financial analysis, initiates wire transfers, processes expenditures and manages student and study center accounts and related accounts payable and receivable. Reconciles monthly account transactions to the general ledger. Requires daily verbal and written communication, with internal departments and external customers. Ensures compliance with UC policy and procedures and applicable external regulations.

Job Functions And Percentages Of Time

• Student Account Management (50%) – Oversees business and financial activities of accounts established for UC students participating in UC Education Abroad Programs. Manages all aspects of financial records for UCEAP student accounts, including application of program fees, financial aid, as well as billing and collections. Provides customer service to students and job standards related to their financial account. Communicates with all UC financial aid offices and other entities to ensure accurate and timely disbursement of funds to students. Generates financial aid journals for processing to the general ledger. Applies independent research to resolve student account fee adjustments or discrepancies. Analyzes and reconciles student account activity to the general ledger on a monthly basis. Creates student program budgets on a semi-annual basis in coordination with various internal and external partners. Uses professional financial services concepts. Applies organization policies and procedures to resolve a variety of moderately complicated issues. Ensures that the appropriate internal controls are addressed, maintained and strengthened to protect UCEAP resources.

• Study Center Responsibilities (50%) – Applies, ensures and communicates compliance of UCEAP and UC financial policies and regulations to Study Centers concerning banking, budgeting, accounting and financial reporting. Prepares and reviews all business transactions for Study Center locations. Reviews and analyzes host institutions payments in accordance with contractual agreements between the UC and host institutions. Audits, reconciles and prepares journals for overseas expenditures for assigned Study Centers to ensure compliance with applicable UCEAP policies and the operating budget. Conducts monthly reconciliations of multiple accounts with the general ledger. Prepares quarterly budget to actual analysis of study center expenditures for Program Director review. Reviews, analyzes and prepares Study Center quarterly funding requests and third‑party invoice payments in accordance with the appropriate fiscal year operating budget and program agreements. Originates wire transfers for quarterly funding and invoice payments. Assists with fiscal year closing and coordination of year‑end balancing and closing reports for UCEAP and Study Center expenses. Other duties and special projects as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• AA, BA, or BS degree in related field and minimum of 2 years' experience in AP, AR, billing and collections, or equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Proficiency in MS Office, specifically Excel.
• Strong interpersonal skills, analytical skills, service orientation, attention to detail, ability to multi‑task, and organizational skills.
• Working knowledge of financial processes, policies, and procedures.
• Ability to work independently as well as in a team environment.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge and understanding of foreign currency transactions and conversions.
• Moderate understanding of federal and state financial aid.

Special Conditions Of Employment

• This position is eligible for a hybrid/remote work arrangement within California. On‑site presence will be required for leadership and staff meetings, delegation visits, training sessions, etc. The selected candidate must reside in California or be willing to relocate. The University of California is unable to pay or reimburse expenses prohibited by University policy, including travel expenses associated with commuting to the designated office.
• Satisfactory criminal history background check.
• UCSB is a Tobacco‑Free environment.

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts an 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; or have filed an appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a previous employer. “Misconduct” Means Any Violation Of The Policies Governing Employee Conduct At The Applicant’s Previous Place Of Employment, Including, But Not Limited To, Violations Of Policies Prohibiting Sexual Harassment, Sexual Assault, Or Other Forms Of Harassment, Or Discrimination, 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.

UC Vaccination Programs Policy

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs. As a condition of Physical Presence at a Location or in a University Program, all Covered Individuals must participate in any applicable Vaccination Program by providing proof that they are Up‑to‑Date with any required Vaccines or submitting a request for Exception in a Mandate Program or properly declining vaccination in an Opt‑Out Program no later than the Compliance Date. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements. For more information, please visit University of California Policy on Vaccinations – https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/5000695/VaccinationProgramsPolicy.

Equal Employment Opportunity

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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