Job Description Summary: UCAR is seeking a detail-oriented and experienced Accountant II to join the Accounting Team, which sits within Office of the Chief Financial Officer. This key role, will oversee complex federal sponsor awards (e.g., NASA, NOAA, NSF, DOE), ensuring financial compliance, preparing detailed reports, reconciling accounts, managing federal draws and tax submissions, and supporting audits and month/year-end close processes.

Ultimately, this opportunity will provide the chosen candidate the opportunity to be a part of company's mission of furthering research in Earth system science, and supporting our community's ability to tackle today's greatest atmospheric challenges.

Position Details:

Visa Sponsored Job:

Relocation Assistance Eligible:

Job Location:

Boulder, Colorado

Position Type & Term:

Full time, Regular

Compensation Range:

Salary Range: $75,989 - $94,989

Final salary and rates are based on education, experience, and skills relevant to the role.

Application Notes

Application Deadline: This position will be posted until 11:59 PM MDT, Sunday, August 17, 2025.

Job Location : Boulder, CO

Job Type: Hybrid (minimum of 3 days a week is required to be on-site)

Required Application Materials:

Resume/CV

Questionnaire - You will be asked to complete a questionnaire within the job application. Please ensure you provide complete and thorough answers to all questions.

Are you able and willing to commute to the office at least 3 times a week?

Please describe how your skills and experience align with the ones required for this role.

Please describe your experience with sponsor/customer invoicing and accounts receivable.

Do you have any experience with reading and interpreting contract terms and conditions, including federal grants and awards? Please expand on this.

Relocation Assistance: Not available for this position

Visa Sponsorship: Not available for this position

What You Will Do Key Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Monitors major sponsor awards and those containing more complex terms and agreements for various labs/centers/programs/offices for financial compliance with terms and reporting.

Prepares and reviews financial reports and reconciles subsidiary records by reviewing expenditures, journal entries, and verifying budgets.

Meets reporting requirements of sponsor agreements. Evaluates indirect cost collections for correct application and verifies that all financial contractual requirements are met.

Reviews transfer expenditure requests for allowability and allocability to sponsor awards by having knowledge of the specific award terms and conditions.

Communicates contractual requirements to all affected internal and external parties, including funding agencies as needed.

Responsible for monthly and quarterly performance/financial reporting as required by specific contracts; specifically, reconciles selected accounting data and ensures accounts and contracts are in balance and properly stated.

Maintains regular contact with program administrators; answers questions from internal and external parties concerning financial information. Prepares, verifies, and enters journal entry transactions based upon detailed analysis, including but not limited to contract allocations, chargebacks, and other internal allocations.

Responsible for the preparation and coordination of monthly and quarterly Sales Tax reports and payment submissions. Stays current in both City and State Sales and Use Tax requirements.

Responsible for the preparation, review, and requests of weekly draws for federal agencies, which include NASA, NOAA, DOE, and NSF, in order to comply with the OMB Uniform Guidance and award terms and conditions.

Executes month-end and year-end closing processes. Verifies that the close process was completed correctly. Performs issue resolution impacting financial closes.

Prepares communications to users concerning the closing process.

Assists with the audit and 990 tax schedules.

Assists with review of the balance sheet and profit and loss balances and account reconciliations, and entries. Assists with preparing schedules to support the annual audit and 990 tax filing.

Investigates accounting problems; ensures internal controls are followed; and data integrity is upheld.

Instrumental in establishing controls and procedures for new and major contracts.

Answers questions regarding accounting procedures and provides training to staff.

Leads in the design, development, and user training of UCAR financial reporting and automated financial system.

Provides special financial and accounting analysis upon request. Utilizes accounting knowledge, the accounting system, and query language proficiently.

Records journal entries, reviews financial statement activity, and reconciles balance sheet activity as assigned.

Investigates accounting problems; performs procedures to ensure that financial applications are working as intended and that internal controls are adequate and being followed.

Answers questions from administrators, external and internal auditors, and others outside Finance regarding accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls.

Reports to supervisor, problems and solutions, as issues (s) become apparent.

Cross-trains in other accounting functions and performs special projects as assigned.

What You Need

Education & Experience

B.S. in Accounting, CPA, or equivalent combination of education and experience. (Public accounting experience preferred).

Minimum of five years of accounting experience with large organization(s), utilizing sophisticated, fully-integrated financial information systems.

-OR- an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)

Demonstrated knowledge of general accounting principles, practices, and procedures, including Financial Accounting Standards Board statements and generally accepted accounting principles, internal controls, and consolidated financial statements.

Knowledge of cost accounting and contract management procedures/administration as specified in governmental regulations and circulars such as FAR, 2 CFR 200.

Proficient at independent analysis of financial information, leading tothe identification of potential problems and related solutions.

Proficient in working with sophisticated automated financial information systems, including a comprehensive knowledge of subsidiary and general ledger.

Working knowledge of government and corporate contract management procedures and administration. Understands the differences between government regulations and circulars.

Ability to maintain high quality and quantitative standards and simultaneously prioritize the completion of multiple, time-sensitive tasks within a team environment.

Strong skills in the use of spreadsheets and word processing software.

Effective written and oral communication skills.

Benefits Overview

UCAR affirms its commitment to employees through competitive benefits (https://www.ucar.edu/opportunities/careers/benefits) . In addition to medical, dental, vision, retirement, and life insurance, UCAR offers a variety of programs focused on work-life balance and professional, and personal development. These include:

Tuition Assistance, time off allowance to attend classes, and other professional development opportunities

UCAR contributes 10% of your eligible pay into your retirement account; 100% fully vested on day one

Starting minimum accrual of 20 days of personal time off each year (prorated for less than full-time positions)

10 paid holidays

10 days of sick leave each year

12 weeks of paid parental leave

Short-term medical leave paid at 100% of your regular salary

EcoPass for local Colorado residents to use the Denver and Boulder-area transit system at no cost

Commitment to Job Application Fairness

Applicants are not required to provide age or age-related information and may redact information related to age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution from any submissions during the initial application process.

Some Final Considerations

At UCAR|NCAR|UCP, you will work alongside a dedicated team of professionals conducting critical research and community outreach to solve complex Earth system science problems including climate change, air pollution, extreme weather, floods, drought, wildfires, and space weather, all with the goal of improving human life and reducing economic loss. Each of us, from scientists to the professionals who support their work, serves the public and a collaborative community of scientists in our mission to understand the complex processes that make up the Earth system, from the ocean floor to the Sun's core.

Flexible Work

At UCAR, we are committed to supporting our mission by giving staff the flexibility to find the schedule and location that works best to maintain their own work-life circumstances and reach their full potential as professionals. Many positions within our organization are eligible for fully on-site, hybrid (three days per week) and/or flexible work hours.

Equal Opportunity Employer

UCAR is committed to providing equal opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or pregnancy. Whatever your intersection of identities, you are welcome at UCAR.

Export Control

All positions are required to comply with U.S. export compliance regulations work location requirements regarding access to facilities and research systems.

Visa Wait Times

Please consider the length of visa procurement when applying for this posting, understanding that you will not be able to begin employment until you are able to get a visa and enter the U.S.

Work Location

UCAR requires ALL positions to be performed within the U.S., excluding U.S. Territories.

AI Software

ChatGPT and similar AI software are powerful tools that are changing the way society receives, processes, and leverages information promptly. While we acknowledge its benefits and do not restrict leveraging it with job applications, we highly encourage a majority of the applicant material to be original work.

University Corporation for Atmospheric Research

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