Accountant II

Stanislaus State•Turlock, CA

About The Position

Stanislaus State has a full-time Accountant II position in Financial Services, supporting the Post-Awards Grants department. The position is available on or after January 4, 2027, and works under general direction. The incumbent applies accounting principles and practices to a range of accounting functions and problems, exercising greater independence of judgment and action than a lower-level position. The role may include training, guiding, and assisting other employees, as well as providing work direction to professional or technical staff. The position performs post-award accounting for assigned grants and contracts, including budget maintenance, financial tracking, journal entries, billing, reconciliations, financial reporting, compliance review, and closeout. It provides accounting consultation and training to principal investigators, program directors, grant staff, and campus offices; helps resolve accounting and financial-system issues; and supports the maintenance and improvement of business processes, policies, and procedures. Travel may be required. The anticipated starting salary is $5,178–$5,387 per month, with a full salary range of $5,178–$7,543 per month, depending on qualifications and experience. The employer offers vacation, health, dental, and vision plans; an education fee waiver program; California Public Employees Retirement System membership; and 15 paid holidays annually. Future increases, including step advancement, are subject to contract negotiations.

Requirements

Education equivalent to a bachelor's degree in a related field; additional experience demonstrating the required knowledge and abilities may substitute year for year.
Two years of relevant experience; an advanced degree in a related field may substitute for required experience year for year.
Thorough knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), office methods and procedures, and statistical and mathematical presentation of data.
Advanced proficiency with current word-processing and spreadsheet software, web browsers, query tools, integrated financial systems, and/or other 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; analyze financial and statistical data and draw conclusions; and establish and maintain effective working relationships.
Ability to apply accounting principles to complex accounting problems; analyze and interpret accounting data; and prepare clear, accurate financial statements and reports.
Ability to use problem-solving techniques, understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies, and principles, and make decisions and recommendations regarding accounting activities.
Ability to communicate effectively with people inside and outside the unit, including conveying technical information to non-accountants.

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.
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 managing research grant funds 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 and compile, query, and analyze large volumes of financial data.
Examine documents for conformance with established policies and procedures and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
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 system upgrades, including testing and verification of results.
Correct and reconcile account balances to external data and provide consultative services to campus administrators resolving accounting problems.
Recommend changes to, and assist with documenting and maintaining, business processes, standards, and procedures.
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.
Provide training, guidance, and assistance to other employees as assigned.
Obtain additional training or certification as required for professional development and department or campus needs.
Provide support to other areas as directed and perform other duties as assigned.
Travel when required.