Location: Riverside
Job ID: 31190
Job Posting

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UCPATH CENTER

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The UCPath Center is the University of California's shared services center in Riverside, CA. The UCPath Center manages the payroll, benefits, and other human resources transactions for more than 200,000 UC employees working across ten UC campuses, five medical centers, three national labs and more. The staff at the UCPath Center work in a variety of areas including business operations, customer service, quality management, technology, training, human resources and communications. Learn more about the UCPath Center

POSITION SUMMARY

The UCPath Controller, Financial Management reports to the UCPath Executive Director. As a member of the UCPath senior leadership team, the UCPath Controller is responsible for the development and implementation of financial policies for UCPath business operations, with particular emphasis on budgeting, financial accounting, internal controls, federal and state employer tax reporting, accounts receivable, accounts payable, financial operations and financial reporting. The UCPath Controller will also act as the subject matter expert and liaison for all financial audits and audit compliance and reporting.

The UCPath Controller directly oversees HR, payroll and benefits administration accounting, financial reporting and analysis, tax compliance, costing policy, debt accounting and administration, controls and financial systems; and develops financial, accounting, payroll and tax policies and procedures. The incumbent also supports all UC locations from a business, financial, and regulatory perspective for all major business transactions UCPath contemplates or undertakes. The UCPath Controller and leads resolution of complex UCPath financial issues, development of UCPath financial systems, processes and controls, while providing guidance and support to UC campus and medical center controllers, their staff and the UC Retirement Administration Services Center. The incumbent also coordinates with internal and external auditors and provides technical guidance on emerging financial issues.

This position is responsible for the following main functions:

1. Preparation and oversight of the UCPath operating and capital budgets and ten-year financial forecasts. The operating budget is approximately $100 million per year. This work includes preparation of and presentations to the university's vice chancellors for budget and planning, vice chancellors of administration, the UCOP Executive Budget Committee and the University of California Regents. In addition, this work includes annual preparation of location UCPath rate assessments. As needed, the UCPath Controller will prepare presentations for the State of California Legislature and Department of Finance and prepares annual financial reports for the Legislature. The UCPath Controller conducts regular budget and forecast reviews with the UCPath Executive Director, Associate Vice President of Operational Services and the UC COO and CFO.

2. Managing the systemwide labor ledger with an annual payroll of more than $19 billion, accurate and timely payment of payroll taxes of more than $6.8 billion for all UC locations, Lawrence Berkeley National Lab and Associated Students UCLA, and payment of UC employee health and welfare benefits of $1.2 billion per year. The UCPath Controller will engage frequently with the systemwide controller, the controller's office, other Office of the President offices, and each campus and medical center controller to resolve complex financial and reporting issues, develop systemwide strategies and long-term plans for HR and payroll financial operations, composite benefit rate administration, and ongoing process optimization.

3. Managing and supporting audits performed by internal, external, and third party auditors. The UCPath Controller will oversee UCPath engagement with auditors to ensure accurate and complete responses, and prepare management responses to auditors' reports. On an ongoing basis, the UCPath Controller will assess, enhance and monitor internal controls across all UCPath functional areas.

4. The UCPath Controller manages a staff of 30+ CPAs, accountants, auditors and analysts, and oversees systemwide UCPath tax, accounting, accounts payable and accounts receivable functions.

Responsibilities

60%

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

Assesses, establishes and maintains UCPath internal controls, maintains risk and control matrix and ensures that appropriate segregation of duties exist. Maintains financial control accounting and UCPath chart of accounts. Researches and prepares accounting policies and procedures. Collaborates with systemwide controller's office to ensure UCPath and corporate financial systems are well aligned and effectively support systemwide UCPath financial reporting and operations. Serves as a liaison to the UC Office of the President and campus/locations for the following:

• Composite benefit rates and benefit plan accounting;
• UCPath banking and treasury matters - including funding for payroll, vendor payments and reconciliation of bank charges;
• bond financing;
• UCPath procurement and accounts payable.

Oversees UCPath systemwide benefits billing, overpayment recovery and collections operations. Oversees fiscal year and month-end close activities in coordination with UCOP and location teams, including local and corporate journal entries, balance sheet reconciliations, tenant Improvement account maintenance and other reconciliation, and reclassification journal entries as needed. In coordination with UC Office of the President, meets all government reporting requirements for related financial activities. Supports UCPath systemwide operations, including review and validation of payroll tax deposits, analysis and calculation of benefit vendor payments and consolidated benefit rate analysis, validation and reporting. Performs UCPath departmental security administrator (DSA) duties for state and federal tax reporting, unemployment insurance (EDD), ACA, Bureau of Labor Statistics and other regulatory agencies, as required. Develops and maintains UCPath operating and capital expense budgets and UCPath cost allocation model for campus assessments of UCPath costs.

20%

PEOPLE MANAGEMENT

Hires, manages, develops, and evaluates staff in accordance with university policy, and provides for effective staff development opportunities in accordance with department requirements. Leads a team of 30+ financial professionals. Provides and supports professional development opportunities for team members and throughout UCPath. Assumes full responsibility for staffing, budgets, costs, productivity and human resource-related activities pertaining to assigned staff members.

10%

AUDITING

Develops the UCPath annual audit plan. Manages performance of audit assignments, reviews work papers and audit reports; edits reports prepared by subordinates. Performs preliminary planning and establishes direction for audits, provides leadership to assigned auditors, manages projects to quality outcomes, while meeting established timelines and budget. Engages with internal and external auditors as needed; oversees internal and external audit activities and serves as subject matter expert on audit matters.

10%

EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATION

Clearly articulates routine and complex financial concepts for a wide variety of stakeholder audiences, including monthly financial reviews with campus vice chancellors of planning and budget and vice chancellors of administration. Provides financial information to enhance understanding of UCPath operations, mission and requirements.


Required Qualifications

• Successful candidates will bring 10+ years financial and control experience including a combination of public accounting and private industry experience. Experience as a senior financial executive in a decentralized business environment with responsibility for business strategies and implementation, business processes, systems development, and operating controls strongly desired. Direct management responsibility for administrative business functions broader than finance and accounting will be an advantage.
• The successful candidate will possess a detailed understanding of technical financial reporting issues, including the application of GASB pronouncements. She/he will have strong business management skills including the ability to bring both a business and financial perspective to transactions that the University considers; ability to establish credibility and trust with the UCOP Systemwide Controller and campus and medical center controllers across the University.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively across the organization at all levels; ability to interact with diverse populations.
• The candidate must also work successfully with the University's external auditors. Exceptional organizational, management, interpersonal and multicultural competence verbal and written communication and presentations skills are required.
• Skills must include sophisticated service orientation, ability to multi-task effectively in a varied, high volume environment, sound judgment and decision-making, reasoning, ability to develop original ideas to solve problems, and effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent people skills, with ability to effectively interact, collaborate, and influence across all levels of an organization. Highly self-motivated and directed. Able to prioritize, streamline and accomplish assigned projects with effective organization, management and project management skills.
• Ability to accomplish assigned projects without compromising the integrity of UCPath and/or University of California policies and procedures.
• Ability to maintain flexibility and quickly address changing priorities.
• Ability to provide excellent service with integrity.
• Ability to appropriately handle confidential matters and material.
• Demonstrated successful leadership and management skill set and experience. Ability to think strategically and focus on the accomplishment of UCPath mission and priorities. Must have strong skills using Microsoft Office and common desktop/web applications.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with PeopleSoft Financials. Experience in a higher education setting. Experience in a shared service environment.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in related area required. Master's degree preferred.

License/Certifications

• CPA License preferred.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Salary: The recommended salary range is $180,000 - $220,000. Commensurate with experience.

Benefits: For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by UCPath Center visit: Benefits of Working for UC

HOW TO APPLY

Please be prepared to attach a cover letter and resume with your application.

JOB CLOSE DATE

The position will be open until filled.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Background Check Process: Successful completion of a background check is required for this critical position. Background check process at UCOP

Smoke Free Work Environment: The University of California, Office of the President, is smoke & tobacco-free as of January 1, 2014. UC Smoke & Tobacco Free Policy

August 2021 Update: The University of California has issued a policy requiring employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID -19 before physically accessing the University location or programs. Upon hire into a UCOP position, you will be provided detailed instructions on how to comply with this policy including access to the COVID vaccination at no cost. New hires to UCOP who work onsite or will come onsite for any activities at a UCOP or other UC location must comply with this policy within 8 weeks after their start date. The policy allows for employees to request approval for an exception or deferral. UC COVID-19 Vaccine Policy

EEO STATEMENT

The University of California, Office of the President, is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status. EEO/AA Employer UC nondiscrimination policy.

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To apply, visit https://careerspub.universityofcalifornia.edu/psp/ucop/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM.HRS_APP_SCHJOB.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST&Action=U&FOCUS=Applicant&SiteId=19&JobOpeningId=31190&PostingSeq=1jeid-1c21467df82d92428a314413ccf2505c