Balance Sheet Account Reconciliation Accountant - 141014

This is a 100% contract position for two years, with an appointment that may be extended or converted to career status based on departmental needs.

About the Role

Business and 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 manages the university’s financial resources and supports UC San Diego's academic and research mission with an annual budget of approximately $20 million. The team includes over 120 career staff and a diverse group of student assistants, contractors, and casual employees.

The Balance Sheet Account Reconciliation Accountant is a limited-term project position within BFS, established to support a comprehensive initiative to improve the accuracy, integrity, and sustainability of the university's balance sheet account reconciliation processes. The role is part of a project team implementing a risk-based reconciliation strategy founded on materiality and key risk indicators, designed to capture financial exposure, ensure timely detection and resolution of reconciling items, and establish a consistent framework for balance sheet integrity.

Responsibilities

• Independently perform the full range of professional accounting responsibilities to achieve project objectives, applying broad knowledge of accounting principles, organizational policies, and practices to analyze complex financial issues and determine appropriate solutions.
• Review legacy systems and multiple data sources to identify system conversion issues, transaction discrepancies, reconciliation issues, and data integrity concerns.
• Investigate and trace discrepancies to their source, implement corrective actions, and prepare clear, structured reports communicating findings, risks, and recommendations to project leadership and BFS management.
• Prepare and review complex account reconciliations in accordance with University policy, ensuring reconciling items are identified, investigated, documented, and resolved in a timely manner.
• Apply analytical techniques using multiple financial systems, applications, and data sources to evaluate account balances, ledger activity, and transaction history.
• Support the project team’s efforts to improve reconciliation processes through automation, AI-enabled solutions, standardized procedures, and enhanced reporting tools.
• Communicate project progress, root causes, corrective actions, recommendations, and implementation outcomes through reports, dashboards, or data visualizations.
• Maintain regular contact with internal and external resources to coordinate project activities, resolve accounting issues, and support successful implementation of the reconciliation framework.
• Resolve complex assignments requiring analysis of multiple factors and data sources, exercising independent judgment within established accounting procedures.

Fiscal close is a critical business period during which vacation requests may not be approved. This is a hybrid position requiring regular on-site presence on designated days. Remote work may be permitted based on operational and business needs.

Requirements

• Experience in higher education financial management and fund accounting.
• Demonstrated knowledge of GAAP and GASB pronouncements, as well as reporting standards related to internal controls.
• Thorough knowledge of accounting function and assignments, including accounting principles, theory, and practice.
• Demonstrated ability to summarize complex accounting data, perform complex reconciliations, prepare financial reports, and resolve complex accounting problems independently.
• Ability to independently gather, organize, and perform accounting-related analysis to complete work assignments.
• Proven ability to analyze new and/or existing complex accounting pronouncements issued by GASB, as well as standard accounting procedures.
• Expert-level analytical skills, including the ability to comprehend and reconcile financial data and perform mathematical computations with accuracy.
• Thorough knowledge of analytical procedures used in accounting projects of moderate to semi-complex scope.
• Ability to perform highly complex financial analysis and customized reporting.
• Proven ability to analyze business requirements, regulations, and similar information, and quickly learn and apply policies.
• Knowledge of best practice accounting and internal controls.
• Thorough knowledge of financial transactions and systems, as well as related policy, accounting, and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively use information technology and process redesign methodologies in creating, designing, and implementing new processes.
• Ability to apply knowledge of automated accounting systems to research and resolve problems or recommend improvements.
• Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Office software applications (Excel, Word, Access, Outlook, etc.) and the ability to quickly master additional software as needed.
• Strong interpersonal skills, service orientation, and ability to multi-task effectively in a varied, high-volume environment.
• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to exercise tact, diplomacy, and flexibility to promote positive working relationships.
• Strong problem-solving, conflict resolution, and troubleshooting skills, with the ability to exercise mature judgment and maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to take responsibility for the formation and facilitation of team projects and adapt to a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to interpret ambiguous situations and quickly articulate ideas.

Special Conditions

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

Pay

Hiring pay scale: $75,000 - $115,000 per year. Annual full pay range: $73,800 - $131,200 (prorated if the appointment percentage is less than 100%). Hourly equivalent: $35.34 - $62.84. Factors determining compensation include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure, certifications, and other business and organizational needs.

Schedule

Days, 8 hours per day, Monday through Friday. This is a project-based, contract position with an anticipated duration of up to two years.