Staff Accountant

Description:

Staff Accountant - Grants & Research Finance
📍 San Diego, CA (Hybrid)
💲 $33.65-$36.06/hr
📅 6-Month Contract
Make an Impact Through Meaningful Research
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.
Why This Opportunity Stands Out
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
What You'll Do
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
What We're Looking For
Required Qualifications
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
Preferred Qualifications
Nonprofit accounting experience
Grant accounting experience
Research, higher education, healthcare, or life sciences industry exposure
Familiarity with Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200)
Experience with QuickBooks
Audit support experience
Knowledge of NIH, NSF, or other federally funded programs
Ideal Backgrounds
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.
Join a Mission-Driven Team
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.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract position based out of San Diego, CA.
Pay and Benefits
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 benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Workplace Type
This is a hybrid position in San Diego,CA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Oct 9, 2026.
About Aston Carter
Aston Carter provides world-class corporate talent solutions to thousands of clients across the globe. Specialized in accounting, finance, human resources, talent acquisition, procurement, supply chain and select administrative professions, we extend the capabilities of industry-leading companies. We draw on our deep recruiting expertise and expansive network to meet the evolving needs of our clients and talent community with agility and excellence. With offices across the U.S., Canada, Asia Pacific and Europe, Aston Carter serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® Platinum Award winner for both client and talent service.
The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email astoncarteraccommodation@astoncarter.com for other accommodation options.
San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.

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https://careers.astoncarter.com/us/en/job/JP-006311594/Staff-Accountant