Balance Sheet Account Reconciliation Accountant - 141014

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 is composed of several specialized divisions that collectively manage the university's financial resources and support UC San Diego's academic and research mission. With an annual budget of approximately $20 million, BFS offers a collaborative and innovative environment where more than 120 career staff and a diverse team of student assistants, contractors, and casual employees work together to form the backbone of the university's financial infrastructure.

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 is composed of several specialized divisions that collectively manage the university's financial resources and support UC San Diego's academic and research mission. With an annual budget of approximately $20 million, BFS offers a collaborative and innovative environment where more than 120 career staff and a diverse team of student assistants, contractors, and casual employees work together to form the backbone of the university's financial infrastructure.

The Balance Sheet Account Reconciliation Accountant is a limited-term project position within Business and Financial Services (BFS) established to support a comprehensive initiative to improve the accuracy, integrity, and sustainability of the University's balance sheet account reconciliation processes. The incumbent 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 and repeatable framework for balance sheet integrity.

Working as part of the project team, the incumbent independently performs the full range of professional accounting responsibilities necessary to achieve the project's objectives, applying broad knowledge of accounting principles, organizational policies, and accounting practices to analyze complex financial issues, determine appropriate solutions, and support the accuracy and integrity of the University's financial records. Responsibilities include reviewing legacy systems and multiple data sources to identify system conversion issues, transaction discrepancies, reconciliation issues, and data integrity concerns; investigating and tracing discrepancies to their source; implementing corrective actions; and preparing clear, structured reports that communicate findings, risks, and recommendations to project leadership and Business and Financial Services management.

The position bears primary responsibility for preparing and reviewing complex account reconciliations in accordance with University policy, ensuring reconciling items are identified, investigated, documented, and resolved in a timely manner. The incumbent applies analytical techniques using multiple financial systems, applications, and data sources to evaluate account balances, ledger activity, and transaction history while supporting the project team's efforts to improve reconciliation processes through automation, AI-enabled solutions, standardized procedures, and enhanced reporting tools.

The position effectively communicates project progress, root causes, corrective actions, recommendations, and implementation outcomes through reports, dashboards, or data visualizations.

As an experienced professional with a full understanding of accounting practices and organizational policies and procedures, the incumbent resolves complex assignments requiring analysis of multiple factors and data sources. Working under general direction, the incumbent exercises independent judgment within established accounting procedures to determine appropriate action and to select the methods and techniques needed to accomplish project objectives. The incumbent maintains regular contact with internal and external resources to coordinate project activities, resolve accounting issues, and support successful implementation of the reconciliation framework.

Fiscal close is a critical business period during which vacation requests may not be approved.

Hybrid work is the preferred work arrangement for this position and requires regular on-site presence on designated days. Remote work may be permitted based on operational and business needs. Work arrangements are subject to change as departmental or organizational needs evolve.

• 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. Demonstrated in-depth knowledge of accounting principles, theory, and practice.

• Demonstrated ability to summarize complex accounting data using applications, 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.

• Demonstrated expert-level analytical skills, 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. Ability to 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. Thorough knowledge of common desktop / web applications. Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Office software applications (Excel, Word, Access, Outlook, etc.) and the ability to quickly master additional software as needed.

• Proven ability to effectively present information verbally and in writing. Ability to write and explain policies and procedures. Ability to train others.

• Strong interpersonal skills, service orientation, ability to multi-task effectively in a varied, high volume environment, judgment and decision-making, reasoning, ability to develop original ideas to solve problems, and effective verbal and written communication skills.

• Excellent oral, written and interpersonal skills with ability to exercise tact, diplomacy and flexibility to promote positive working relationships and job effectiveness. 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. Ability to adapt to a fast-paced environment, interpret ambiguous situations, and quickly articulate ideas.

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