New

Lead Accountant

University of California - Los Angeles (UCLA)
USD $105,700.00/Yr. - USD $234,500.00/Yr.
United States, California, Los Angeles
Jan 10, 2026
Special Instructions to Applicants UCLA only This is an internal recruitment for UCLA employees. Priority consideration will be given to UCLA active employees or preferential rehires. External applicants may be considered if the applicant pool is not sufficient. Department Summary Extramural Fund Management (EFM) provides financial management services to the campus research community in support of more than $1 billion dollars of expenditures annually in sponsored awards. EFM is composed of three service areas that provide expertise and assistance to faculty and staff and serves as a liaison to research sponsors for financial management of externally sponsored awards. EFM serves as the institutional point of contact for funding agency representatives and relevant regulatory officials regarding post-award activities. EFM has primary responsibility for the interpretation of University-wide and campus policy, sponsor guidelines, and applicable federal and state laws and regulations related to financial management of sponsored projects. Position Summary The Lead Accountant in UCLA's central Extramural Fund Management (EFM) office has wide-ranging, in-depth, experience in research administration finance and compliance and is an organization-wide expert. The incumbent is a lead advisor to UCLA faculty, audit and advisory services, corporate financial services, students, and staff regarding the most complex post-award financial matters that are of critical importance to the university. The incumbent independently reviews, analyzes, and resolves the most challenging and unique financial deliverables, post-award management issues, and advanced financial concepts that have organization-wide impact. The Lead Accountant assesses and mitigates institutional risk; ensures institutional compliance obligations consistent with University and sponsor policy; serves as the signing authority for all financial activity reported to sponsoring agencies and other transactions prepared by analysts at all levels; directs and analyzes the implementation of a financial compliance program consistent with sponsoring agencies requirements that govern contracts/grants; and makes significant contributions to campus policies and procedures for the financial management of externally-sponsored projects. The incumbent represents EFM and UCLA in system-wide initiatives, and with research sponsors and professional advocacy organizations. The incumbent communicates with professionalism, demonstrating exceptional skill and experience, enthusiasm, agile problem solving, commitment and loyalty to the profession and the organization. This position will have primary responsibility for post-award financial matters and oversight of fund management for the most complex sponsored awards and associated post-award activities. The Lead Accountant demonstrates specialized subject matter expertise and serves as the campus expert on a broad range of advanced financial concepts and post-award administration such as: allowability of expenditures, interpretation of sponsor terms and conditions, and identifying potential compliance and/or policy violations. The Lead Accountant develops strategies to address complex problems and recommends changes to policies, processes, and resources. UCLA's Research Administration is seeking a highly motivated and effective research finance expert in the Extramural Fund Management (EFM). The Lead Accountant exercises a high degree of autonomy and independent judgement and reports to the EFM Assistant Director. The Lead Accountant serves as a special expert and campus point of contact for complex subject matter and serves as back-up in the absence of the Assistant Director. The Lead Accountant mentors less experienced staff, and develops and delivers specialized training. Salary & Compensation UCLA provides a full pay range. Actual salary offers consider factors, including budget, prior experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business considerations. Salary offers at the top of the range are not common. Visit UC Benefit package to discover benefits that start on day one, and UC Total Compensation Estimator to calculate the total compensation value with benefits. Qualifications* 1. Expert knowledge of relevant federal, state, and local regulations, non- profit sponsor policies, campus and system-wide policies and procedures, and unique terminology pertaining to post-award financial matters in extramural research in the context of a large institution of higher education with a teaching hospital. Expert knowledge and understanding of advanced financial concepts and cost accounting standards related to Uniform Guidance, FAR, agency supplemental clauses, and Federal flow- through award terms. (Required) 2. Expert knowledge and experience necessary to manage a high volume of financial deliverables and related transactions involving the most complex federal terms and conditions; international issues; multi-site collaborations; city, county, and state contracts; non-profit contracts; and cooperative agreements. (Required) 3. Expert skill and demonstrated experience to manage a financial portfolio of highly complex sponsored project funds independently with an understanding of strategies to optimize use and minimize financial risk to the institution; identify critical issues and requirements to proactively inform all stakeholders; analyze and interpret all terms and conditions to protect the high priority interests of the University. (Required) 4. Demonstrated expert level competence in the use of spreadsheet and enterprise level systems/software for highly complex financial analysis, financial management, and customized financial reporting. (Required) 5. Exceptional interpersonal skills to deliver effective professional post- award research administration expertise to all levels of faculty, staff, and non-University entities. Develop and maintain positive and effective interactions, demonstrating respect for the views of others; treat others with dignity and foster the values of diversity and inclusion. (Required) 6. Exceptional written and oral skills to compose and deliver clear and concise communications to explain advanced financial/accounting concepts and procedures to individuals at various knowledge levels. (Required) 7. Demonstrated in-depth experience and expertise in delivering high quality customer service to a diverse group of colleagues within the organization, in the campus research community, and in sponsor entities with a particular focus on: customer needs, negotiating mutually beneficial workflow and communications to achieve a common goal, establishing service expectations, and delivering accurate and complete services. (Required) 8. Exceptional ability to mentor and train less experienced accountants as part of a team environment. (Required) 9. As a recognized campus-wide expert with advanced training skills, effectively deliver on-going training in a broad range of advanced accounting and financial concepts in the research administration field to the campus research community and EFM staff to enhance skills and provide guidance in successfully navigating processes, procedures, and policies. (Required) 10. Expert skill to analyze existing policy and procedure to offer substantive recommendations for improved efficiencies in office-wide operations and improve overall service to the campus research community. (Required) Education, Licenses, Certifications & Personal Affiliations Bachelor's Degree preferred with generally 15 or more years of experience in post-award research administration or a related field or with transferrable skills/knowledge. (Required) Special Conditions for Employment Background Check: Continued employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background investigation. Live Scan Background Check: A Live Scan background check must be completed prior to the start of employment. Schedule 8am to 5pm Pacific Standard Complete Position Description https://universityofcalifornia.marketpayjobs.com/ShowJob.aspx?EntityID=38&JDName=Research%20Administrator%205%20RP%20(TBD_940800)