Staff Accountant

San Diego, CA (Hybrid)

$33.65-$36.06/hr

6-Month Contract

Are you an accountant who enjoys more than just debits and credits? Do you want your work to directly support groundbreaking research and scientific innovation?

We're seeking a Staff Accountant to join a mission‑driven research organization supporting federally funded and privately sponsored research programs. This role is ideal for someone with strong accounting fundamentals who wants exposure to grant accounting, nonprofit finance, research funding, compliance, and audit support.

This is an excellent opportunity to grow your accounting career while contributing to work that advances science, healthcare, and research initiatives.

• Gain hands‑on experience with federal and private grant accounting
• Expand your knowledge of nonprofit and research finance
• Exposure to NIH, NSF, and other sponsored research awards
• Hybrid work environment
• Opportunity to work alongside scientists, researchers, and finance professionals
• Meaningful work supporting innovative research programs

• Support month‑end close activities, journal entries, and account reconciliations
• Maintain general ledger accounts and ensure financial records are accurate and audit‑ready
• Perform balance sheet reconciliations, accruals, prepaid expense analysis, and bank reconciliations
• Assist with grant and sponsored project accounting, including tracking revenues and expenditures
• Prepare financial reports for research grants and sponsored projects
• Support payroll allocations and effort reporting activities
• Process subrecipient invoices and ensure compliance with grant requirements
• Assist with annual audits, compliance reviews, and Form 990 preparation
• Help maintain documentation related to federal grants and indirect cost allocations
• Partner with researchers, lab administrators, and project stakeholders to provide financial insights and support

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field
• 2-4 years of accounting experience
• Experience with:
  • General ledger accounting
  • Journal entries
  • Reconciliations
  • Month‑end close
  • Financial reporting
• Advanced Excel skills including Pivot Tables and VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving abilities
• Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills

• Nonprofit accounting experience
• Grant accounting experience
• Research, higher education, healthcare, or life sciences industry exposure
• Familiarity with Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200)
• Experience with Quick Books
• Audit support experience
• Knowledge of NIH, NSF, or other federally funded programs

• Staff Accountant
• Grant Accountant
• Nonprofit Accountant
• Research Accountant
• Project Accountant
• Financial Analyst (Nonprofit or Grant‑Funded Organizations)

Experience from nonprofit organizations, universities, research institutions, healthcare organizations, or life sciences companies is highly desirable.

If you're looking for an opportunity that combines accounting, compliance, and financial analysis while supporting impactful scientific research, this role offers a unique chance to build specialized experience in one of the most meaningful areas of accounting.

This is a Contract position based out of San Diego, CA.

The pay range for this position is $33.65 - $36.06/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job‑related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some…