PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT - GENERAL ACCOUNTANT 5 - HYBRID

University of California Office of the President; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

UC OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT is seeking a Principal Accountant to oversee all aspects of UCOP's accounting function, including financial reporting, fixed assets, and capital projects. The role leads monthly close activities, collaborates with external auditors, and ensures compliance with GAAP, GASB, and FASB.

The incumbent will establish accounting processes, create dashboards, and provide strategic financial analysis to senior leadership, with significant independence and professional judgment

Qualifications

• Expert level accounting knowledge and skills.
• In-depth knowledge of the accounting function.
• Strong financial analysis, forecasting and business case development.

Responsibilities

• Oversee monthly and annual fiscal close activities.
• Prepare financial statements and ensure GAAP/GASB/FASB compliance.
• Maintain ledger accounts and support reconciliation processes.
• Manage Project Portfolio Management and Fixed Asset modules in Oracle.
• Ensure audit readiness and data integrity across UCOP funds.

Skills

Accounting

Financial analysis

Forecasting

Excel

Communication with senior leadership

Tools

Oracle

Job description

Job Posting

For UCOP internal applicants, please login to the internal candidate gateway at: Jobs at UCOP

UC OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

At the University of California (UC), your contributions make a difference. A world leader producing Nobel and Pulitzer Prize recipients with over 150 years of groundbreaking research transforming the world. Choose a career where you can leverage your knowledge, skills and aspirations to inspire and support some of the greatest minds in the world, and those who will follow in their footsteps. Working at the University of California is being part of a unique institution, and a vibrant and diverse community. At the University of California, Office of the President, we propel our mission through impactful work locally, in government centers and systemwide. We are passionate people, serving the greater good.

The University of California, one of the largest and most acclaimed institutions of higher learning in the world, is dedicated to excellence in teaching, research and public service. The University of California Office of the President is the headquarters to the 10 campuses, six academic medical centers and three national laboratories and enrolls premier students from California, the nation and the world. Learn more about the UC Office of the President

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.

Experience within higher-education, not for profit or government environments

Knowledge of University of California governance, accounting, budgeting, capital planning, and administrative processes.

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.

Demonstrated expertise in financial analysis, forecasting, and business case development.

Experience communicating financial data and recommendations to senior leadership, verbally and in written form.

Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and financial analysis tools.

Demonstrated ability to manage ambiguity and work effectively in a collaborative, consensus-oriented environment.

Preferred Qualifications