Financial Analyst

Department of Technology Management, UC Santa Barbara

About the role

The Financial Analyst provides comprehensive financial, payroll, personnel, and administrative support for the Department of Technology Management (TECH). This position plays a key role in supporting departmental operations within UCSB's modernized financial environment, applying updated chartfield structures, digital documentation standards, and campus financial reporting tools. The role requires strong analytical skills, sound judgment, professionalism, and strict confidentiality.

Responsibilities

• Financial Analysis (45%)
  • Provides financial analysis, monitoring, and operational oversight of all departmental general funds, revenue funds, gifts, endowments, FFEs, sponsorship funds, and administrative accounts.
  • Applies knowledge of accounting principles, fund accounting, and University financial policies to evaluate, track, and report financial activity across all departmental fund sources.
  • Reviews General Ledger activity, tracks commitments, monitors spending patterns, verifies transaction accuracy, and identifies variances or emerging issues using FinHub and other reporting tools.
  • Ensures accurate classification of transactions in accordance with the updated Common Chart of Accounts (CCOA) and campus chartfield structure, and compliance with UC, State, donor, student fee, and revenue restrictions.
  • Prepares monthly and annual financial reports for the Business Officer, Financial Manager, Department Chair, Program Directors, endowed chairs, and faculty, providing analytical insight for budget development, fiscal close, carryforward analysis, and year-end reporting.
  • Monitors program-related financial commitments and budgets, ensuring accurate tracking and reporting to program directors.
  • Researches and resolves financial issues, initiates corrective actions (e.g., TOEs, financial journals, payroll cost transfers), and escalates complex cases to the Business Officer.
  • Ensures audit readiness through consistent documentation and adherence to internal control expectations.
  • Supports implementation of financial procedures, monitors workflow effectiveness, and communicates changes to departmental staff and faculty.
• Payroll and Personnel (30%)
  • Maintains knowledge of University, divisional, and departmental payroll and personnel policies, including collective bargaining agreements.
  • Coordinates and processes UCPath actions for GSRs, student assistants, staff appointments, and serves as the UCPath approver for TA hires, ensuring correct funding and timely routing.
  • Serves as back-up for UCPath actions for other positions and acts as Payroll Manager in Kronos timekeeping, monitoring biweekly and monthly timecards, reconciling leave accruals, and correcting reporting errors.
  • Generates payroll and funding reports using FinHub, verifies salary and benefits accuracy, and researches discrepancies.
  • Supports the Enterprise Performance Management (EPM) Project Forecasting tool by reviewing UCPath payroll projections, validating funding end dates, and ensuring alignment with approved budgets.
  • Oversees onboarding and separation processes, including hiring/termination paperwork, I-9 coordination, and UCPath entries.
  • Collaborates with the Office of International Students and Scholars for foreign national hires and supports payroll-related analysis for leadership.
• Gift & Endowment Fund Administration (15%)
  • Manages departmental gift, endowment, FFE, and sponsorship funds, ensuring compliance with donor intent, UC Santa Barbara Foundation policies, and University financial guidelines.
  • Tracks fund balances and payouts, monitors expenditures, and provides detailed activity reports and stewardship materials to faculty, endowed chairs, and program directors.
  • Advises on allowable uses of donor-restricted funds and student-support resources and assists in forecasting multi-year commitments.
  • Processes gift acceptance documentation, UDEVs, and fund establishment forms in collaboration with the UCSB Foundation and campus Development staff.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a related area and/or equivalent experience/training.
• 1-3 years of experience performing financial analysis, reconciliation, accounting, payroll, or related administrative work in a complex organization.
• 1-3 years of experience reviewing financial transactions for accuracy, compliance, and proper coding.
• 1-3 years of experience processing payroll, timekeeping, or personnel actions using enterprise systems.
• 1-3 years of general financial work experience in accounts payable, accounts receivable, recharging, procurement, or contracts.
• 1-3 years of experience preparing financial spreadsheets, tracking expenditures, or supporting budgetary monitoring.
• Working knowledge of accounting principles, fund accounting, and financial analysis.
• Ability to interpret and apply University financial policies, fund restrictions, and compliance requirements.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with high attention to accuracy and detail.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and work independently with sound judgment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain financial or policy information clearly.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality of personnel, payroll, and financial information.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in higher education, the public sector, or another complex or regulated environment.
• Experience with UC or comparable enterprise financial and payroll systems.
• Experience with fund management, including gifts, endowments, revenue funds, or restricted accounts.
• Experience preparing financial reports or analysis for managers, faculty, or leadership.
• Experience interpreting financial policies, fund restrictions, and compliance requirements.

Pay

The budgeted salary range for this position is $30.75 to $34.63/hour. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience, the budget for the position, and the application of fair, equitable, and consistent pay practices at the University. The full salary range for this position is $30.75 to $50.45/hour.

Schedule

Monday–Friday; 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Benefits

Full benefits eligibility, including excellent retirement and health plans. Eligibility for hybrid work after six months' probation completion.

Special Conditions of Employment

• Satisfactory criminal history background check.
• UCSB is a Tobacco-Free environment.
• As a condition of employment, the final candidate must disclose any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining they committed misconduct (e.g., violations of policies prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, harassment, or discrimination).