Principal Accountant

Salary/Position Classification

• $75,000+, dependent on experience, Annual, Exempt
• $7,500 sign-on bonus: 
  • $3,750 paid on first paycheck, remaining $3,750 paid upon successful completion of the 6 month probationary period.
• 40 hours per week
• This position will work onsite.

Purpose of Position

Are you a numbers maestro with a keen eye for detail? Ready to spearhead a team of enthusiastic individuals dedicated to achieving financial excellence? If so, we want you on our team! We’re looking for a Principal Accountant to join our dynamic team at the Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC)!

Join the EERC, an international leader in energy and environmental research and a nonprofit branch of the University of North Dakota (UND), which gives our employees access to unbeatable benefits and tuition waivers. Learn more about the EERC at undeerc.org.

Be a part of cutting-edge research, engage with professionals who share your passion, and create work you can be proud of. As a Principal Accountant, you will contribute to the success of the organization by performing one or more of the following:

• Review and oversee input of EERC annual budget and related reconciliations.
• Maintain current knowledge on federal cost accounting standards and CFR 200, including allowability, applicability, and appropriateness on project funds.
• Maintain current knowledge of state and university regulations and policies with respect to financial management of the EERC. Provide input on policies as applicable.
• Establish and maintain effective policies and procedures for internal control of financial data to ensure EERC compliance with federal, state, and university regulations and policies.
• Develop new financial reports as needed/requested, and work with the programming team to automate reporting. Analyze financial data using the university PS system.
• Maintain working knowledge of university financial systems and their interface to EERC financial systems. Represent the EERC as the liaison to UND Controller's Office, Resource Planning and Allocation, Transportation, and Facilities.
• Review and approve various processes, budgets, and transactions such as journal entries, journal vouchers, Jaggaer bids, fleet vehicles, and surplus property ensuring allowability, applicability, and appropriateness. Troubleshoot unusual transactions and errors.
• Backup accountant duties when absent.
• Develop annual VSL rate and monitor throughout fiscal year.
• Oversee, direct, and organize the work of the accounting, payment, and payroll team.
• Maintain a relationship and be a liaison with the Procurement/Travel team to work through issues and collaborate on payment and travel-related items.
• Maintain relationship and be a liaison with the Budget Analyst team to work through issues and collaborate on proposal/project costs to determine allocability, allowability, and appropriateness. 
• Maintain a relationship and be a liaison with Contracts, Information Systems, Communications, Facilities, Safety, Technical Teams, etc., and work collaboratively on accounting related items.
• Promote a culture of high performance and continuous improvement that values customer service.
• Develop and implement procedures for effective business operations.
• Ensure team members receive appropriate training and professional development.
• Establish and monitor team performance, assign and assess development goals, establish priorities, conduct performance reviews, administer salary adjustments.
• Mentor and develop staff.
• Review budgets and actual expenditures for allowability, applicability, and appropriateness. 
• Advise the Director of Business & Finance and other leadership members on financial issues, regulations, new policies, etc.
• Educate project managers, fund managers, and support personnel in the financial aspect of managing sponsored agreements/non sponsored funds.
• Contribute to the EERC’s strategic goals.
• Represent the EERC professionally and be an effective liaison to university departments.
• Maintain effective communication with the Director of Business & Finance, keeping them informed of critical issues and concerns.
• Use inclusive practices to hire the most qualified team members.
• Oversee employee performance, provide constructive feedback and coaching, and perform annual evaluations and midyear reviews.
• Mentor your team, providing guidance, tools, and support needed for success in their job.
• Identify development needs and opportunities and provide guidance on career pathways.
• Exemplify and convey the importance of the EERC Core Values to employee s