Accountant II

California State University•Turlock, CA

5d•$5,178 - $7,543

About The Position

This full-time position in Financial Services supports the Post-Awards Grants department. Under general direction, the Accountant II applies accounting principles and practices to a range of accounting functions and problems, exercising greater independence of judgment and action than lower-level positions. The role may include providing training, guidance, and work direction to other employees and professional or technical staff. The incumbent performs post-award accounting for assigned grants and contracts, including budget maintenance, financial tracking, journal entries, billings, reconciliations, reporting, financial projections, and closeout support. The role reviews transactions and award documents for funding availability, allowability, allocability, and compliance with sponsor, CSU, accounting, and GAAP requirements. It also provides accounting consultation and training to principal investigators, program directors, grant staff, campus administrators, and offices; supports financial systems and reporting processes; and helps maintain post-award policies, procedures, and business documentation. Travel may be required. The position is available on or after January 4, 2027.

Requirements

Equivalent to a bachelor's degree in a related field; additional experience demonstrating the required knowledge and abilities may substitute for education year for year.
Two years of relevant experience.
Thorough knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
Thorough knowledge of office methods and procedures.
Thorough knowledge of statistical and mathematical presentation of data.
Advanced proficiency with current word-processing and spreadsheet software, web browsers, query tools, integrated financial systems, and/or records-management systems.
General understanding of internal control methods.
Working knowledge of federal student financial aid annual reporting requirements and quarterly grant reporting requirements.
Ability to interpret and follow instructions and policy guidelines.
Ability to analyze financial and statistical data and draw conclusions.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
Ability to apply accounting principles to complex accounting problems and analyze and interpret accounting data.
Ability to prepare clear, accurate financial statements and reports.
Ability to use problem-solving techniques to find solutions to complex accounting problems.
Ability to understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies, and principles.
Ability to make decisions and recommendations regarding accounting activities.
Ability to communicate effectively with people inside and outside the unit, including explaining technical information to non-accountants.
Position may require travel.

Nice To Haves

Three years of directly related accounting experience.
Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Business Administration, or Finance.
Prior experience in a CSU or higher-education setting.
Prior experience in accounting, finance, auditing, or a related field such as general ledger, financial reporting, or fund accounting.
Experience with fiscal record keeping and organizational and administrative practices.
Experience with Microsoft Word, Excel, PeopleSoft, ERP, or related systems.
Experience preparing and analyzing reconciliations and journal entries.
Experience with research grant-fund management or other complex funds.
Experience with budget development.

Responsibilities

Perform post-award accounting activities for assigned grants and contracts, including sponsored-program budget maintenance, financial tracking, journal entries, billings, reconciliations, and financial reports.
Review grant-related transactions and documents for funding availability, allowability, allocability, and compliance with sponsor, CSU, and accounting requirements.
Prepare and analyze grant financial reports, audit schedules, supporting documentation, budget analyses, and year-end accounting entries.
Make financial projections.
Examine documents for conformance to established policies and procedures and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
Compile, query, and drill into large volumes of financial data.
Use integrated financial systems and other records-management systems.
Develop financial statements and reports.
Provide accounting support and consultation to principal investigators, program directors, grant staff, and campus offices regarding post-award accounting, budgets, compliance, and reporting.
Review and reconcile grant accounting discrepancies and assist with corrections, budget revisions, contract modifications, and grant closeout activities.
Provide information and training regarding grant accounting procedures, financial reports, and related system queries.
Identify actual or potential problems and recommend corrective or preventative action.
Troubleshoot financial systems problems and participate in the design and installation of financial systems upgrades, including testing and verification of results.
Correct and reconcile account balances to external data.
Provide consultative services to campus administrators in resolving accounting problems.
Recommend changes to business processes, standards, and procedures, and assist with their documentation and maintenance.
May provide training, guidance, and assistance to other employees.
Review award documentation and record sponsor requirements, deadlines, reporting dates, and closeout information in sponsored-program databases and reporting calendars.
Assist with maintaining post-award policies, procedures, and grant-administration information.
Document and maintain business processes, standards, and procedures.
May obtain additional training and/or certification as part of professional development based on department or campus needs.
At the direction of an appropriate administrator, provide support to other areas as needed.
Perform other duties as assigned.