SENIOR ACCOUNTANT, GRANTS & CONTRACTS – REVISED
JOB POSTING #899
Starting Salary: Dependent Upon Qualifications
Closing Date: Until Filled
As a team member of the Office of Finance and Administration, the Senior Accountant, Grants and Sponsored Research position contributes to post-award administration by leading the Post Award Grants Accounting team for Federal and Private Grants and Contracts.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Works under the general supervision of the Associate Vice President for Finance and Administration, with an indirect reporting relationship to the Director of Research Administration.
- Determines classification as grant or contract based on award letters and establishes the appropriate account in the Workday Grants Module.
- Enters all project data into Workday and Excel spreadsheets to include the budgets and billing schedules, and notifies appropriate parties when the award is established.
- Reads and interprets agreements to determine restrictions related to spending, prior approval requirements, applicable cost principles, and cost sharing requirements.
- Monitors expenditures to evaluate whether they are allowable within the terms of the grant or contract while also verifying other critical aspects, such as sufficient funds, appropriate authorization, subcontract activity, etc.
- Reviews, monitors and approves grant related payroll activity. Communicates with Human Resources and the Payroll Department as needed to ensure that grant payroll activity is processed and posted properly. Prepares adjusting journal entries as needed.
- Monitors time and effort reporting in compliance with applicable regulations, and prepares salary caps for applicable Principal Investigators.
- Creates a Personnel Activity Report (PAR) for all employees paid on grants. Ensures the PAR’s have appropriate approval levels and reconciles any discrepancies.
- Reconciles grant activity on a monthly basis by comparing internal records in Excel, the Workday Grants Module, and the Workday General Ledger. Processes adjusting journal entries and communicates issues as needed.
- Prepares and distributes monthly expenditure reports for principal investigators and others.
- Prepares quarterly, annual, and closeout reports for funding agencies as requested and ensures timely submission.
- Inform principal investigators of approaching deadlines and available balances of their awards, making changes to the accounts as necessary.
- Coordinates with key personnel at all levels of the University to support proper and timely expenditure of grant funds in compliance with applicable guidelines and budget deadlines.
- Communicates with principal investigators and support staff as needed regarding items, such as funding agency prior approval requirements, no cost extensions, budget revisions, and other matters as they arise.
- Closes grants in the system when applicable and ensures that final billings are completed in a timely manner.
- Actively participates in the preparation of materials and provides support for the annual Uniform Guidance Audit.
- Prepares invoices and/or fund drawdowns for grants and contracts as indicated in the terms of the funding agreement.
- Interacts with agency staff and subcontractors to resolve questions and concerns.
- Coordinates with principal investigators, the Purchasing and Procurement Department and others as needed to ensure compliance of federal guidelines concerning competitive bidding.
- Other related duties as assigned.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES:
Individual must possess knowledge, skills and ability to be able to successfully perform the essential functions of the position, or be able to explain or demonstrate how the essential functions will be performed, with or without reasonable accommodation, using some other combination of skills and abilities.
- Strong accounting background.
- Excellent communications skills (both verbal and written).
- Detail oriented with strong analytical skills.
- Organized and able to meet strict deadlines.
- Knowledge of Microsoft Office, especially Excel.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Any combination of education and experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration or a related field. Prefer five years’ experience in higher education accounting. Preference will be given to applicants with a CPA or CMA license. Prior grant accounting experience is preferred. The regular hours for this position are 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Hours may vary depending on workflow and grant deadlines. Must be willing to work rotating shifts and overtime.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: Supervise the Grants Staff Accountant.