Payroll Accountant (GEN ACCOUNTANT 3)

Under general direction of the Payroll Services Director, provide high-level expertise in financial management and ensure compliance in highly complex issues associated with compensation and payroll, budget, labor, composite benefit expense, and leave accounting. Ensures compliance with terms and conditions prescribed by diverse funding sources and with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Analyzes and/or reconciles labor ledger, financial statements, budgetary reports, statistical data and conducts special projects as assigned. Incumbent plays a campus-wide financial guidance role by offering technical, advisory and interpretive support of payroll accounting policies and procedures; and provides testing support of financial system changes/implementations.

Apply By Date: August 12, 2026

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications - For full consideration, applicants are encouraged to upload license and/or certification if required of the position

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance or related area or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Extensive experience in accounting, auditing, or financial management and experience working with ERP-level automated and computerized financial systems.
• Through knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), theory, practice and standards as they relate to general ledger maintenance, account reconciliation and financial statement preparation.
• Through knowledge of Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) and Financial Standards Board (FASB) accounting standards related to financial statement preparation.
• Analytical skills to resolve complex problems that may affect multiple organizations or functions.
• Extensive experience using Excel, reporting tools and/or equivalent applications to develop complex spreadsheets and ad hoc reporting including but not limited to pivot tables and Vlookups. Mathematical skills to calculate and analyze complex financial formulas.
• Skilled in creating queries using tools such as SQL Oracle commands.
• Decision making skills to review financial information, define issues, and develop strategies to resolve accounting issues.
• Demonstrated analytical and written communication skills to synthesize a high volume of information gathered from a variety of sources and perform complex analysis to interpret and summarize financial data and/or convey it to a diverse audience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Organizational experience in planning, setting priorities, multi-tasking, and adapting to changing priorities while meeting required deadlines.
• Knowledge of UC policies and procedures and the UC Accounting Manual and university accounting, fund accounting principles, audit techniques, internal control standards.

Key Responsibilities

• 50% - Payroll Account Reconciliation and Account Manager
• 30% - Financial Analysis and Reporting
• 20% - Special Projects

Department Overview

Finance helps fulfill the institutions requirements for financial information and reporting materials, supplies, equipment and services. For more information visit our website: Finance & Business (ucdavis.edu). The position plays a financial guidance role interacting with other divisions of Finance, ANR, campus-wide departments and the medical center as well as with other UC campuses and the Office of the President.

POSITION INFORMATION

• Salary or Pay Range: $71,600.00 - $127,800.00/year
• Salary Frequency: Annual
• Salary Grade: 21
• UC Job Title: GEN ACCOUNTANT 3
• UC Job Code: 007735
• Number of Positions: 1
• Appointment Type: Career
• Percentage of Time: 100%
• Shift (Work Schedule): M-F 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
• Location: Remote Worksite (REMOTE)
• Union Representation: No
• Benefits Eligible: Yes
• This position is 100% remote

Benefits

Outstanding benefits and perks are among the many rewards of working for the University of California. UC Davis offers a full range of benefits, resources and programs to help you bring your best self to work, as well as to help you and your family achieve your health, wellness, financial and career goals. Learn more about the benefits below and eligibility by visiting UCnet Benefits Page or Benefits Summary for UC Davis Health Employees or Benefits Summary for UC Davis Employees.

• High quality and low-cost medical plans to choose from to fit your family's needs
• UC pays for dental and vision coverage for you and your family
• Retirement plans for eligible employees including Pension and other Retirement Saving Plans
• Supplemental insurance offered including additional life, short/long term disability, pet insurance, legal coverage, accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity
• Pregnancy and Parental Leave, Family & Medical Leave, Adoption Assistance and Pay for Family Care and Bonding for eligible employees
• Lactation Support Program and Family Care discounts and resources
• Employee Well-being resources and programming to support thriving in all aspects of employee's lives
• On-site Employee Assistance Program including access to free mental health services
• Generous amount of paid Holidays annually as outlined in the UC Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreements
• Paid Time Off/Vacation/Sick Time as outlined in the UC Policies or Collective Bargaining Agreements
• Continuing Education (CE) allowance and Staff Education Reimbursement Program for eligible employees
• Access to free professional development courses and learning opportunities for personal and professional growth
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer and Student Loan Debt Counseling Program for eligible employees

Physical Demands

• Standing - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Walking - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Sitting - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Lifting/Carrying 0-25 Lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Lifting/Carrying 26-50 lbs - Never 0 Hours
• Lifting/Carrying over 50 lbs - Never 0 Hours
• Pushing/Pulling 0-25 Lbs - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Pushing/Pulling 26-50 lbs - Never 0 Hours
• Pushing/Pulling over 50 lbs - Never 0 Hours
• Bending/Stooping - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Squatting/Kneeling - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Twisting - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Climbing (e.g., stairs or ladders) - Never 0 Hours
• Reaching overhead - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Keyboard use/repetitive motion - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours

Environmental Demands

• Chemicals, dust, gases, or fumes - Never 0 Hours
• Loud noise levels - Never 0 Hours
• Marked changes in humidity or temperature - Never 0 Hours
• Microwave/Radiation - Never 0 Hours
• Operating motor vehicles and/or equipment - Never 0 Hours
• Extreme Temperatures - Never 0 Hours
• Uneven Surfaces or Elevations - Never 0 Hours

Mental Demands

• Sustained attention and concentration - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Complex problem solving/reasoning - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Ability to organize & prioritize - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Communication skills - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Numerical skills - Occasional Up to 3 Hours
• Constant Interaction - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Customer/Patient Contact - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours
• Multiple Concurrent Tasks - Frequent 3 to 6 Hours

Work Environment

UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco free campus effective January 1, 2014. Smoking, the use of smokeless tobacco products, and the use of unregulated nicotine products (e-cigarettes) will be strictly prohibited on any UC Davis owned or leased property, indoors and outdoors, including parking lots and residential space.

Restricted vacation during peak workload periods.

Special Requirements - Please contact your recruiter with questions regarding which activities apply by position

• This is a critical position, as defined by UC Policy and local procedures, and as such, employment is contingent upon clearing a criminal background check(s) and may include drug screening, medical evaluation clearance and functional capacity assessment

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: 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.

A Culture of Opportunity and Belonging

At UC Davis, we're committed to solving life's most urgent challenges and building a healthier, more resilient world. We believe in growing through every challenge, continually striving to improve, and welcoming new perspectives that strengthen our community. We recognize that a vibrant and innovative organization values both individual strengths and shared purpose. The best ideas often emerge when people with different experiences come together.

As you consider joining UC Davis, we invite you to explore our Principles of Community, our Clinical Strategic Plan and strategic vision for research and education. We believe you belong here. The University of California, Davis is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status.

To view the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination

Because we want you to feel seen and valued, our recruitment process at UC Davis supports openness and authenticity. Research shows that some individuals hesitate to apply unless they meet every qualification. You may be an excellent fit for this role-or the next one. We encourage you to apply even if your experience doesn't match every listed requirement. #YouBelongHere

To learn more about our background check program, please visit: https://hr.ucdavis.edu/departments/recruitment/ucd/selection/background-checks