Accountant 4, Capital Projects (7734U) #87652

Accountant

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom, and belonging makes it a special place for students, faculty, and staff, who are among the most talented and accomplished anywhere, including Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, and MacArthur Fellows. Since our founding in 1868, we have been an engine for innovation - driving intellectual, economic, and social progress that benefits California, the U.S., and beyond. Together, we change the world. At Berkeley, the best careers are built on a foundation of continuous learning and growth. We actively support professional development by providing all full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours of paid time per year and provide space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups. We invite applicants who are inspired by our Principles of Community and who are eager to be part of our exciting Strategic Plan, which charts Berkeley's next era of excellence. Learn more about some of our accomplishments at Points of Pride.

The Capital Projects team manages the design, construction, retrofitting, and restoration of campus buildings and surrounding environments through a collaborative group of professionals, including architects, engineers, planners, inspectors, construction specialists, contract administrators, accountants, and administrative staff. Within this structure, the Accounting team ensures financial integrity, compliance, and stewardship of capital project funds by monitoring, analyzing, reconciling, and reporting on complex funding sources, including state, federal, gift, endowment, and sponsored project funds. The team reviews vendor invoices, contractor payment applications, and other payment requests for accuracy and compliance; supports reconciliations, financial reporting, and project closeouts; and assists with resolving payment issues, such as stop-payment requests and vendor discrepancies. Accounting staff also collaborate closely with campus partners, including the Controller's Office, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, and the Office of the President, to ensure the consistent application of policies, timely resolution of issues, and adherence to University financial standards.

The Accountant functions with a high degree of independence and serves as a key member of the Capital Projects Accounting team. This position serves as a subject-matter expert across multiple business processes and contributes to team leadership through cross-training, knowledge sharing, and coordination across all functional areas within Capital Projects Accounting. The Accountant applies generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) to support capital project financial management, including reviewing, analyzing, reconciling, and preparing complex financial data. This position monitors project expenditures; reviews vendor invoices, contractor payment applications, and other payment requests for accuracy and compliance; and ensures the proper allocation of costs in accordance with University policies, sponsor requirements, and applicable accounting standards. The Accountant also identifies, analyzes, and resolves complex, non-routine accounting issues, including discrepancies affecting project funds and financial reporting. Recognized as a technical expert in financial and project systems, including Unifier, BFS, BIBS, and CalAnswers, this position supports the integrity and functionality of capital project accounting and reporting processes. The Accountant applies University policies and accounting standards to evaluate workflows, recommend process improvements, and enhance operational efficiency. Additionally, this position plays a key role in financial reporting, project reconciliation, and capital project closeouts and collaborates closely with campus partners, including the Controller's Office, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, and the Office of the President.

The First Review Date for this job is August 5, 2026. For full consideration, please apply by the first review date.

Responsibilities

Prepares and interprets complex reports and financial records for administrators: Prepares, analyzes, and compiles detailed financial operating reports using Unifier, BFS, CalAnswers, Maximo, EHS, and other systems to support decision-making by management, administrators, project managers, and leadership. Ensures accuracy, completeness, and alignment with organizational policies, and UCOP accounting standards. Provides clear interpretation of financial data and trends to both internal and external stakeholders.

Develops, implements, and/or maintains general accounting systems: Supports the design, enhancement, and ongoing maintenance of Unifier and BFS integrations for accounting systems and business operations tools to manage a portfolio of capital projects, ensuring best practices, efficiency, and compliance. Identifies system gaps and recommends improvements and automation opportunities. Collaborates with cross-functional teams, including UCOP, Controllers Units, AP, AR, Plant Accounting, BETS, and Bearbuy, to resolve accounting matters and system-related issues.

Apply advanced accounting concepts to perform highly complex technical analysis: Performs complex financial analysis using advanced accounting principles to evaluate past performance and forecast future outcomes related to capital projects across multiple fund sources. Assesses resource allocations involving external financing, Contracts and Grants, and donor-sponsored projects, and provides insights to guide strategic planning. Communicates findings and recommendations to leadership to support informed decision-making.

Prepares journal entries and maintains and/or reconciles complex ledger accounts: Ensures timely and accurate preparation of journal entries in accordance with accounting standards. Reconciles complex general ledger accounts, identifying and resolving discrepancies. Maintains thorough documentation to support audits, project closeouts, fund swaps, and financial reviews.

Provides a record of financial transactions: Maintains accurate and up-to-date records of all financial transactions in Unifier, Bearbuy, and BFS, including retention held in escrow or by UC. Ensures proper chart of account classification and documentation in alignment with accounting policies. Supports reporting requirements by effectively organizing and tracking financial data. Performs regular account balancing to ensure the integrity of financial records. Prepares key financial statements, reviews outputs for accuracy and compliance with reporting standards. Investigates and resolves discrepancies. Meets with stakeholders at various levels of the organization to review reports and address any accounting and financial concerns.

Under the supervision of a manager/supervisor, may have responsibility for coordinating the collection of information for financial and/or supporting information, preparing summary schedules, answering questions from departments, or coordinating the resolution of issues involving other departments or functions. Maintains receipts and disbursement reports Tracks and records all AR/AP receipts and disbursements to ensure proper financial documentation. Prepares routine reports summarizing budgets and to actuals transaction activity. Ensures records are complete, accurate, and readily available for audit and review.

Required Qualifications

Advanced knowledge of accounting functions. Ability to extract, verify, and compile accounting information from multiple sources to complete work assignments. Advanced ability to effectively present complex accounting and finance-related information verbally and in writing. Advanced experience using financial transactions and systems, as well as related policy, accounting, and unique regulatory compliance requirements. Advanced knowledge of common desktop/web applications. Advanced knowledge of analytical procedures used in accounting projects of complex scope. Understanding of the interrelationship between procedures and desired results.

Education / Training Bachelor's degree in a related area Licenses / Certifications Professional certification (Preferred)

Salary & Benefits For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website. Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience. The budgeted annual range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $91,500.00 $116,000.00. This is an exempt, monthly-paid position. This is a 2-year, full-time (40 hours/week) contract position with eligibility for UC benefits and the possibility for extension.

How to Apply To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.

Other Information This position may be eligible for approximately 2-3 days/week of remote work (within the United States). Exact arrangements are determined in partnership with your supervisor to meet role responsibilities and department needs and are subject to change. This is not a visa opportunity. This position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H-1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee. Conviction History Background This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check. Misconduct As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer. "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the