Accountant II

Position Summary

San Diego State University is seeking a detail-oriented and analytical Accountant II to support financial aid operations, reporting, and compliance across campus programs. This role ensures accurate accounting practices, supports complex reconciliations, and provides guidance to departments while maintaining alignment with federal, state, and CSU regulations.

Key Responsibilities

• Accounting Operations & Compliance
  • Perform financial analyses and calculations, reconciliations, journal entries, and reporting for areas such as grants, student financial aid, revenue, reimbursements, and collections.
  • Ensure compliance with accounting standards, regulations per Department of Education, and California Student Aid Commision; interpret campus and system wide policies and recommend updates to processes and procedures.
  • Troubleshoot complex accounting issues, resolve discrepancies, and prepare accurate financial statements and reports.
  • Provide consultative support to campus departments and collaborate with external agencies (e.g., State Controller’s Office, CSU Chancellor’s Office).

Why Join Us?

• Support data-driven decision-making and financial integrity at SDSU
• Contribute to accurate and compliant financial aid operations in a large public university
• Work with diverse stakeholders across campus and external agencies
• Apply analytical skills to complex accounting challenges and process improvements

As part of the California State University (CSU) system, San Diego State University helps power one of the largest and most impactful public university systems in the nation. See what it’s like to work at the CSU-watch our video and imagine your future here: Working at the CSU .

Position Information

• This is a full-time (1.0 time-base), benefits eligible, permanent/probationary position.
• This position is designated as exempt under FLSA and is not eligible for overtime compensation.
• Standard SDSU work hours are Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but may vary based on operational needs.
• This position is eligible for telecommuting up to 2 days per week, following a training period during which on-site presence is required.

Department Summary

San Diego State University is a dynamic and exciting organization and is one of 22 campuses in the California State University (CSU) System. The Division of Business and Financial Affairs (BFA) is at the heart of some of the larger projects on campus in recent years, including the construction of Snapdragon Stadium, as well as the implementation of my.SDSU. As part of BFA, the Department of Financial Operations is responsible for the financial and budgetary controls and procedures of the University and is directly responsible to the Vice President for Business and Financial Affairs. The Associate Vice President for Financial Operations has responsibility for Audit, Budget and Finance, Financial Operations, Procure-to-Pay, Shared Services, and the University Controller’s Office, which includes the University Bursar’s Office, Tax, Accounting Services, Financial Reporting, and Financial Systems Management and Analysis.

The University Controller’s Office is responsible for the maintenance of the University’s general and subsidiary ledgers for all the operating and self-supporting funds. The University Controller’s Office oversees and coordinates the reconciliation and reporting of all financial transactions of the University. Additional oversight includes expenditure transactions processed within Accounts Payable; cash receipts, student reconciliations and records, financial aid disbursement transactions, and collection activity managed by the University Bursar’s Office. The University Controller’s Office is responsible for internal and external reporting, including Legal/Budgetary Basis, Financial Information Record Management System (FIRMS), and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). The University Controller reports directly to the Associate Vice President for Financial Operations.

Accounting Services is responsible for analyzing, reviewing, recording, and reconciling all transactional activity received from the sub-ledger modules into the general ledger. Reconciliation of general ledger data is performed on a monthly basis with a high degree of accuracy. Accounting Services provides assistance to departments, staff, and administrators in understanding and resolving any issues with transactions and department-level accounts.

For more information regarding the Department of Financial Operations, click here .

Education and Experience

Equivalent to a bachelor's degree in a related field and two years of relevant experience. Additional experience which demonstrates acquired and successfully applied knowledge and abilities shown above may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis. An advanced degree in a related field may be substituted for the required experience on a year-for-year basis.

Key Qualifications

• Ability to manage a significant workload with overlapping deadlines and multiple deliverables.
• Ability to take initiative and independently plan, organize, coordinate, and perform significant workload in various situations where numerous and diverse demands are involved.
• Four years of progressively responsible governmental accounting experience, preferably in the higher education industry. Student Financial Aid experience is highly preferred.
• Experience with an integrated financial system such as Oracle eBusiness Suite and PeopleSoft Campus Solutions preferred.
• Proficient with office products including spreadsheets and word processing software.
• Strong research and problem solving skills. Strong organizational and communication skills are strongly preferred.

Compensation and Benefits

San Diego State University offers competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being and professional growth.

Compensation:
Step placement will be determined based on relevant qualifications and professional experience, in alignment with the department’s budget and equity guidelines.

• Initial step placement is not expected to exceed Step 11 ($6,312) for highly qualified candidates.
• Salary step placement for internal applicants will follow the CSUEU Collective Bargaining Agreement.
• CSU Classification Salary Range: $5,178 - $7,543 per month (Step 1 - Step 20).
• Future increases, including step advancements, are subject to contract negotiations.

Full Benefits Package Includes:

• Generous Time Off: 15 paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave.
• Retirement: CalPERS pension plan with retiree healthcare, and reciprocal agreements with other California public retirement systems, including the UC.
• Health Coverage: Medical, dental, and vision options at low or no cost.
• Education Support: CSU tuition fee waiver for employees and eligible dependents.
• Optional Offerings: FlexCash, life and disability insurance, legal and pet plans.
• Campus & Community: Access to the library, campus events, employee groups, and volunteer and social activities.

Our benefits are a significant part of total compensation. Learn more at the SDSU Benefits Overview .

SDSU Values

At SDSU, our diversity gives us power and benefits every single member of our community. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, SDSU provides equal opportunity for all in education and employment. We encourage all members of our community to purposefully learn from one another through open and respectful dialogue and responsible engagement. We strongly preserve the right to free expression and encourage difficult conversations that help lead to improved individual and community learning and cohesion.

Principles of Community

At San Diego State University, we are a community of diverse individuals who have and represent many perspectives, beliefs, and identities. This diversity lends our community strength, and we commit to creating and sustaining an inclusive and intellectually vibrant environment that benefits all members of our university.

SDSU’s Principles of Community is an aspirational statement that is intended to evolve over time. The statement reflects the ideals we are encouraged to uphold in our interactions with one another.

Equal Opportunity and Excellence in Education and Employment

All university programs and activities are open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, San Diego State University (SDSU) provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. SDSU complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices.

SDSU is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities, committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually vibrant environment. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue, mutual respect, and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs, student organizations and activities, faculty initiatives, and community partnerships, we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. As a higher education institution, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and empowering individuals to reach their full potential by prioritizing inclusive curriculum development, faculty and staff training, student mentorship, and comprehensive support programs. At SDSU, excellence is built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all.

Supplemental Information

Apply by April 22, 2026 to ensure full consideration. Applications submitted after this date will be reviewed on an as-needed basis, and the position will remain open until filled.

The person holding this position is considered a ‘mandated reporter’ under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

San Diego State University is not a sponsoring agency for staff or management positions (e.g., H-1B visa). Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Offers of employment are contingent upon the presentation of documents that demonstrate a person's identity and authorization to work in the United States, which are consistent with the provisions of the Immigration Reform and Control Act.

Education Code 89521 Requirements: Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant’s current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily and is required for employment. SDSU will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current SDSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

SDSU is a smoke-free campus. For more information, please click here .

Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who request an accommodation by contacting Sophia Faulk at srfaulk@sdsu.edu .

Advertised: Apr 08 2026 Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close:

• 

• San Diego State University

• 619-594-5200

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