Lead Financial Services Analyst

The University of California, Merced is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. 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, 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 salary range the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $93,800 - $110,000.

Remote/Hybrid eligibility: Hybrid, with in person days to be determined between supervisor and employee.

This posting will remain open until filled with initial applicant review expected to be on or around October 15, 2025.

The University of California, Merced, is the newest of the University of California system's 10 campuses and one of the youngest universities to be designated an R1 research university. With approximately 9,100 undergraduate and graduate students, UC Merced is a smaller, more intimate campus compared to its sister campuses, while equipped and staffed as a cutting edge, 21st century research institution. With bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree programs, strong research and academic partnerships and a growing community in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley, the UC Merced campus is continually evolving and requires talented, knowledgeable and dynamic educators, researchers, management and staff.

Ranked in the top 30 among the best public universities in the nation by U.S. News and World Report and #1 for social mobility by the Wall Street Journal, UC Merced is uniquely equipped to provide world class educational opportunities to dynamic and enterprising students in the Valley and throughout the state. In partnership with UC San Francisco, UC Merced has launched a rigorous medical education program that will supply the Valley with culturally competent providers dedicated to improving local access to quality care. The campus enjoys a special connection with nearby Yosemite National Park, is on the cutting edge of sustainability in construction and design and is accelerating the continued economic development of the region.

Under limited direction from the Director of Finance and Budget, the Lead Financial Services Analyst (LFSA) serves as the senior financial service analyst, providing financial management support to faculty and staff in the School of Engineering, which includes 85+ senate faculty, 12+ non-senate faculty, 50+ non-senate academic appointees, and 260+ graduate students. The LFSA performs high-level budget and resource analysis, retrieves data from the campus's new Oracle financial systems, organizes and validates data, and prepares comprehensive reports for faculty and school management both orally and in writing. The LFSA ensures financial reporting needs are compliant with federal and state requirements, following GAAP guidelines and consistent with the land-grant mission. Responsibilities include developing internal controls as required by UC financial audit policies and federal uniform guidance policies when applicable. The LFSA regularly works on complex issues where analysis of critical situations or data requires an in-depth evaluation of variable factors. On all assigned projects, the LFSA must demonstrate good judgment in selecting methods, techniques, and evaluation criteria for obtaining results and partnering with internal and external contacts.

The LFSA is responsible for complex financial and budget planning analysis, including data retrieval from campus financial, purchasing, and personnel systems, as well as organizing, validating, and preparing comprehensive reports for faculty and management. They maintain fiscal integrity for all funds and accounts, ensuring they are in an auditable and reportable condition. This includes financial ledger reconciliation, timely financial reporting, and budget report development and analysis. The LFSA manages and is accountable for the risks associated with these responsibilities, as erroneous decisions or failure to achieve goals can result in additional costs and significant delays in reaching objectives. The LFSA must be able to work under the pressure of constantly changing priorities, unanticipated urgent demands, and multiple tasks. In collaboration with the Director of Finance and Budget, the LFSA provides leadership and support to the Financial Unit, delegates tasks to ensure timely completion of assignments, and serves as the financial representative on higher-level or campus-wide workgroups and committees as needed.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Responsible for providing analyses for complex budgetary, financial, and resource projects. Generates and analyzes faculty reports monthly and identifies discrepancies in reporting. Work with appropriate departments in the Central Office to resolve discrepancies. Consult with faculty/PI regularly to discuss their accounts/funds and planned usage, projects, and allocations. Independently prepares complex spreadsheets (using advanced formulas, functions, and techniques) to design and develop analytical summaries and maintain spreadsheets for tracking purposes. Develops financial models. Makes recommendations on maintaining and strengthening internal controls to protect University resources. Interprets related policies and advises faculty accordingly. Co-lead in gift and endowment reconciliation with minimal oversight from the Director of Finance and Budget, and oversee new gifts received for the School of Engineering, including creating new COAs and ensuring compliance with the purpose of the gift.
• In consultation with the Director of Finance and Budget, plans and executes monthly staffing reconciliation and provides as-needed financial costs for annual budget call. Analyzes reconciliation of position distributions, payroll allocation summaries, prepares staffing reports, reviews internal recruitment requests, and tracks vacancy metrics. The position will work to process staffing updates and data related to employee redistribution based on available funding. Prepares various analyses and reports in support of the School's initiatives, focusing on the most complex assignments. Such duties include, but are not limited to, the preparation of year-end carry-forward reports, periodic fund balance reports, periodic variance analyses, funding commitment reports, monthly perm staffing reconciliation, monthly payroll reconciliation (in Suspense Account), faculty summer salary oversight, and gifts and endowments reports.
• Prepares detailed monthly and ad-hoc customized budget and financial reports for the school/departments' various funds, including but not limited to operational, temporary academic support (instructional), faculty research start-up, gift and endowment, summer session, and indirect cost recovery funds. Such duties could include, but are not limited to, preparing year-end carryforward reports, periodic fund balance reports, periodic variance analyses, Funding Commitment Reports, and research expenditure reports related to all faculty in the School of Engineering and Temporary Academic Staffing. Provides reports on machine shop and gift/endowment funds and is engaged in the School of Engineering's reporting to the US News & World Report and the American Society for Engineering Education Report.
• Responsible for managing, processing, and providing reports and analysis for Graduate group operational and USAP/Block Grant accounts, Department and Graduate Chair compensation, Gifts and Endowments, Post Docs, Senate Awards, and Provost Commitments. Delegates and facilitates unit projects and initiatives. Ensures resolution and provides guidance on unit issues that fall under the staff's diverse functions.
• Provide guidance to less experienced team members and staff on financial processing functions, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, purchasing, recharge billing, travel/entertainment, and gift accounting. Back-up signatory authority to the Director of Finance for the Dean of SoE to evaluate and approve procurement and acquisition of assets and services critical to SoE's operation and delivery of services. Primary liaison to Department Managers (Admin Officer 3) and Administrative Officers (Admin Officer 2) in understanding departmental financials while collaborating with the Director of Administration and Operations.
• Represents the school/departments on financial affairs and initiatives to the campus community. Collaborates and interacts with higher-level leadership within the school and across the campus while making decisions and recommendations, considering the school's interest in mind on matters concerning major functional areas.
• *LI-RM1

EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited university in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Business Management, Economics, or other related area.

AND

• Five (5) years of directly related, progressively responsible experience working in finance, budgeting, accounting, payroll, financial projections, or equivalent experience as indicated. A Master's degree in the areas mentioned above is preferred and may substitute for one (1) year of experience; however, the candidate should possess actual work experience and possess the skills, knowledge, and abilities essential to the successful performance of the duties assigned to the position.

CRITICAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Preferred experience working with Oracle. (Preferred)
• Thorough knowledge of financial processes, policies and procedures.
• Thorough knowledge of financial data management and reporting systems.
• Strong proficiency in the use of spreadsheet and database software.
• Strong interpersonal skills, analytical skills, service orientation, active listening, critical thinking, attention to detail, ability to multi-task in a high volume environment, organizational skills, effective verbal and written communication skills, sound judgment and decision making; ability to develop original ideas to solve problems.
• Ability to function effectively as a member of a team.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities.
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of internal control practices and their impact on protecting University resources.
• Leadership skills to provide guidance, coaching and mentoring to professional and support staff.

Background check required.

How to Apply:
An online application is required for each position to apply.The University of California, Merced is aware that some web-based application processes may be cumbersome for differently abled applicants. Where appropriate, alternative accommodations will be provided. For applicants with disabilities who need additional assistance using TAM, or reasonable accommodations during the interview or search process, please contact ucmjobs@ucmerced.edu.

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.

Equal Employment Opportunity:
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.

Smoke and Tobacco Free Policy:
The University of California, Merced is a smoke and tobacco free workplace. Information and the Smoke and Tobacco Free policy is available at http://smokefree.ucmerced.edu.

E-Verify:
All employers who receive Federal contracts and grants are required to comply with E-Verify, an Internet-based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA). E-Verify electronically verifies employment eligibility by comparing information provided on the I-9 form to records in the DHS and SSA databases. Certain positions funded by federal contracts/subcontracts requires UC Merced to notify job applicants that an E-Verify check will be conducted and the successful candidate must pass the E-Verify check.

Pay, Benefits & Work Schedule:
For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University of California visit: http://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/