Lead Accountant

RSCH ADM 5 RP (005266)

UCPath Position ID: TBD_940800

Position Description History/Status

Approved Date:

1/6/2026 6:08:46 PM

Date Last Edited:

1/6/2026 6:08:43 PM

Last Action Effective Date:

Organization Details

Business Unit (Location):

LACMP

Organization Code:

3100O

Organization:

VC RESEARCH

Division Code:

3115D

Division:

OFFICE OF RESEARCH ADMINISTRATION

Department:

351500 - EXTRAMURAL FUND MANAGEMENT

Position Details

UCPath Position Number:

TBD_940800

Position Description ID

250382

UC Payroll Title:

RSCH ADM 5 RP (005266)

Personnel Program

Management and Senior Professional (MSP)

Salary Grade:

STEPS

Job Code FLSA:

Exempt

Union Code (Collective Bargaining Unit):

RP: RESEARCH AND PUBLIC SERVICE PR

Employee Relations Code:

E: All Others - Not Confidential

Employee Class (Appt Type):

2 - Staff: Career

Full-Time Equivalent (FTE)

1

SUPERVISION

UCPath Reports to Position Number:

40046436

Reports to Payroll Title:

Contracts and Grants Mgr 1

UCPath Department Head Position Number:

40046436

Department Head Payroll Title:

CONTRACTS AND GRANTS MGR 3

GENERAL DIRECTION - Indicates that the incumbent receives guidance in terms of broad goals and overall objectives and is responsible for establishing the methods to attain them. Generally the incumbent is in charge of an area of work, and typically formulates policy for this area but does not necessarily have final authority for approving policy.

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). 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. 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.

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.

Financial Analysis, Management and Compliance

1. Serve as a campus and system-wide expert resource for rare or highly complex problems in post-award financial matters; determine potential solutions; and present viable options to executive leadership.  2. Oversee a highly complex financial portfolio of sponsored funds applying expert knowledge of high priority institutional issues such as allowability of expenditures, interpretation of sponsor terms and conditions, and identifying potential compliance and/or policy violations, and employing expert knowledge of Federal Uniform Guidance, FAR, DFAR, and state and other agency financial policies. 3. Utilize expert financial experience and analytical skills in reviewing the most complex agreements to make effective decisions to manage a portfolio of sponsored funds from the full array of sponsors, in accordance with university policy and procedure. 4. Review, approve, and utilize delegated signature authority for all financial activity reported to sponsoring agencies (i.e., invoices, financial reports, cash requests) to ensure accuracy and manage compliance and financial risk on behalf of the institution. 5. Independently interpret, manage, coordinate, and resolve the most complex compliance and financial issues throughout the lifecycle of an award. Collaborate with ORA units, campus committees, sponsor representatives, Audit & Advisory Services, Corporate Financial Services, Office of the President, and participate in sponsor audits as necessary. 6. Advise Principal Investigators, department staff and sponsoring agency officials on unprecedented issues of concern arising from research transactions or activities such as allowability of expenditures, interpretation of terms and conditions, and other financial management issues. Deliver expert advice and strategies to investigators on a broad range of advanced financial concepts in research administration and post award management. Independently identify areas in the field where new regulations need to be better understood, developed, or implemented. 7. Maintain overall financial compliance with the Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB), Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Uniform Guidance at 2.CFR.200, including a detailed understanding of various sponsoring agency requirements. 8. Assist the Assistant Director in developing, implementing and/or modifying process improvements, procedures, and exception reports to consistently monitor financial compliance per agency and University requirements for all financial transactions and reports submitted to sponsoring agencies.

60%

Training, Mentorship, and Staff Development

1. Design presentations, moderate sessions and serve as Lead presenter on educational training sessions for the most highly complex policies, procedures, compliance requirements, and advanced concepts of research administration on campus, system- wide, and nationally. Lead the development and delivery of on- going training sessions to: 1) internal EFM staff; 2) campus departmental research administrators; 3) UC system-wide audiences; and 4) external professional national conferences (NCURA, FDP, etc.). Recommend best practices to proactively address policy/compliance issues.  2. Oversee and/or mentor staff members: provide training and development; review work products including approving cost transfers submitted for junior staff portfolios; provide constructive feedback for continuous improvement; and offer possible resolutions. Share knowledge and experience of best practices based on operational standards. Serve as an expert resource to staff members to ensure policies and business processes are being followed and consistently applied.  3. Serve as a positive role model of senior level professionalism, demonstrating exceptional skill and experience, constructive problem solving, teamwork, enthusiasm, and commitment to the organization and the profession. 4. Develop and lead special projects and participate in organizational or campus-wide initiatives as an EFM representative and recognized expert in the field. Identify challenges related to post-award research administration that require special attention and propose proactive approaches. 5. In consultation with the Assistant Director, triage assignments to staff based on position level as well as complexity of assignment. Oversee financial deliverables submitted by junior staff and provide advice to ensure compliance. 6. Lead and/or facilitate workgroups to guide participants through reviewing and updating questioned EFM business processes and functionality and actively contribute to identify potential enhancements and/or solutions.

20%

Financial and Compliance Risk Management and Special Projects

1. Resolve questions related to the preparation, review, and submission of complex financial deliverables (Federal Training Grant awards, financial closeouts with restricted award terms and conditions, etc.), working with department administrators as needed, to submit by the sponsor's deadline. Endorse and submit financial deliverables under delegated authority as an authorized institutional official. 2. Serve as the campus-wide expert and lead advisor to Principal Investigators and department research administrators in the submission of complex financial deliverables which include awards with major programs and centers, international outgoing sub- awardees, and non-routine financial terms and conditions. 3. Review exception reports to assess financial and compliance institutional risk. In consultation with the Assistant Director, conduct re-occurring department outreach to educate department fund managers about changes in sponsor's policies that affect UCLA business processes and/or systems used to stay in compliance with sponsor requirements.  4. Communicate to the campus research community regarding frequently changing federal and other sponsoring agency regulations to reduce negative audit reports and disallowances, cancellation or non-renewal of contracts and grants, and to reduce confusion and misunderstandings among the central administrative units and campus departments to ensure accuracy and manage compliance and financial risk on behalf of the institution.

20%

•

Performs other duties as assigned.

•

Complies with all policies and standards.

•

Complies with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Principles of Community.

•

This position description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties or skills required for the job and is subject to review and change at any time, with or without notice, in accordance with the needs of the organization.

QUALIFICATIONS

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

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

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AND/OR CONDITIONS OF 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.

LOCATION AND PHYSICAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, MENTAL (PEM) REQUIREMENTS

Environment and Work Location Information

Environment Type:

Non-Clinical Setting

Location Setting:

Campus

Location:

Los Angeles

Standing/Walking

X

Sitting

X

X

Bending/Stooping

X

Squatting/Kneeling

X

Climbing

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull 0-25 lbs

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull 26-50 lbs

X

Lifting/Carrying/Push/Pull over 50 lbs

X

Physical requirements other

X

Chemicals, dust, gases, or fumes

X

Loud noise levels

X

Marked changes in humidity or temperature

X

Microwave/Radiation

X

Operating motor vehicles and/or equipment

X

Exposures other

X

Sustained attention and concentration

X

X

Complex problem solving/reasoning

X

X

Ability to organize & prioritize

X

X

Communication skills

X

X

Numerical skills

X

X

Mental demands other

X

X

Classification 3:  Position in which exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues is not part of the position description. The normal routine task involves no exposure to blood, body fluids or tissues and the employee can decline to perform tasks which involve a perceived risk without retribution.