Sr. Sponsored Project Accountant

We are seeking a Sr. Sponsored Project Accountant. Sponsored Projects Shared Services is responsible for the fiscal administration of all awards (grants, contracts and cooperative agreements) made to the University by governmental and private agencies. Additionally, it is responsible for the related compliance of all divisions of the University. Functions of the department include sponsored award setup, sponsored award financial reporting, and sponsored award closeout.

Job Scope/Complexity

Requires advanced, in-depth knowledge and understanding of a wide range of grants and contracts. Serves as the subject matter expert for grants management accounting at the university.

Independently manages the full life cycle of complex research awards from NIH and other federal agencies, i.e. P50 (program projects). Complex research awards are large collaborative grants that include several sub-grants within a larger grant. Sub-grants may be assigned across departments, requiring collaboration with multiple departments across the university. Complex awards require advanced level reviews and reporting, including more complex analysis and problem solving to ensure accuracy and conformance with uniform accounting principles and practices.

Assigned most complex departments which are more challenging due to higher volume of research awards, and/or more complex awards. Requires working with multiple levels within the department.

Independently interacts with department administrators, external agencies, and senior management. Engages strong interpersonal skills to build and maintain customer service relationships through positive interactions.

May represent the department at university wide meetings. Communicates effectively at all levels.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

Establish master data for awards in SAP

• Review the notice of award that is received from Research Administration in the document management system (Oculus) for terms and conditions in order to establish the award in the accounting system (SAP)
• Establish master data in SAP by interpreting the terms and conditions from notice of award in order to comply with laws, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Establish budget data in SAP based on the information from the notice of award in order to provide a level of control for revenues and expenditures charged to the award.

Execute the financial reporting process

• Routinely execute reports from SAP by utilizing standard formatted reports (BW reports) in order to identify reports and prioritize workload. Develop new reports as needed.
• Generate BW reports by award to obtain revenue and expenditure information in order to begin th& R financial reporting process.
• Analyze BW report by comparing revenue and expenses to information in the notice of award and previously financial reports in order to complete the financial report accurately. Verify accuracy of itemized charges, account numbers, and total costs. Review account information to verify and balances for departments.
• Interpret financial transactions and events for users who must make economic or business decisions.
• Collaborate with departmental personnel by sending draft financial reports to the department in order to obtain department approval before submitting financial report to the sponsoring agency.
• Verify documents for completeness and compliance with government and private agencies.
• Submit financial report to the sponsoring agency per the terms and conditions of the award.

Monitor awards for master data changes, compliance issues and overall quality assurance

• Update SAP master data due to changes in the terms and conditions of an award in order to comply with laws, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Update SAP budget data due to changes in the terms and conditions of an award in order to maintain the level of control for revenues and expenditures being charged to the award.
• Communicate with departmental personnel to obtain documentation necessary to support expenditures or revenues required as a result of an audit inquiry.
• Monitor costing compliance on research grants and contracts; perform various procedures on sponsored awards to maintain compliance with applicable regulations and award terms (e.g. appropriate treatment of administrative costs, unallowable costs, rebudgeting restrictions, etc.)

Execute the award closeout process

• Analyze the award’s revenues and expenditures by executing a BW report to ensure that the AP data matches the financial report submitted to the sponsor.
• Communicate with departmental personnel to resolve any outstanding encumbrances that need to