Accountant

Accountants in the Sponsored Programs Accounting office (SPA) provide financial post award management throughout the award life-cycle by maintaining and reconciling ledgers and accounts according to generally accepted accounting principles. Incumbents prepare and analyze financial information and prepare reports and financial statements based upon the analysis performed. The Accountant reports to an Accountant Senior. This classification may train and guide less experienced staff and/or student employees.

Responsibilities

• Work with the research administrators on account set up.
• Review and record budget revisions and other modifications in Banner.
• Monitor financial activity on accounts, making decisions on allowability, allocability, reasonableness and consistency.
• Initiate, prepare, and submit grant financial reports (interim and final), invoicing, and cost share reports to sponsors on a timely basis.
• Troubleshoot variances on invoices.
• Work with accounting assistants and interns to ensure follow-up/collection of outstanding receivables and payment reconciliations.
• Maintain and apply authoritative knowledge of Uniform Guidance and other relevant grant regulatory requirements such as federal, state and university regulations, and policies and procedures.
• Creatively and proactively evaluate and resolve problems and make decisions.
• Provide problem resolution for post award issues to faculty/department administrators.
• Assist with audit management and year-end close, including collection of samples and producing special reports.
• Effort certification documentation.
• Recommend changes to improve programs, policy and/or practice.
• Ensure timely close-out of completed grants.
• Interact with colleagues in the Office of the Controller and HR/Payroll; this role contributes to ensuring outstanding research compliance.
• Communicate one on one, group presentations, and/or virtually to deliver training.
• Assist in educating faculty, departmental administrators, and other staff members in understanding all areas of grant accounting, managing, and reviewing accounts, and billings to sponsors.
• Provide assistance and training, written and verbal, to faculty and staff in the appropriate management of sponsored program accounts.
• Ability to use Kuali grants management system for awards to cross reference with Banner.
• Work independently or with others on various projects such as surveys, policy/procedure development, form development, or special reports.
• Regularly review federal sponsor policies including costing rules and regulations; participate in webinars, trainings, or conferences to keep updated on ever changing regulatory compliance pertaining to grants and contracts.
• Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or related field plus two years of experience or equivalent education plus experience is required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in Banner software application, including grants module.
• Knowledge of OMB Uniform Guidance 2 CFR 200, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards.

Skills

• Proficient in spreadsheet, word processing, and database applications.
• Ability to set up and maintain financial accounts and ledgers.
• Knowledge of finance, accounting, budgeting, and cost control procedures.
• Knowledge of financial software tools to quantify and illustrate routine financial reports, statements, and/or projections.
• Knowledge of federal and state regulations and University financial policies and procedures, including all areas of research administration.
• Ability to analyze and interpret financial data and prepare financial reports, statements, and/or projections.
• Ability to communicate complex information (financial, legal, and regulatory) to a diverse population, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work independently and prioritize workload.
• Adaptable to changing environments and to learn new software systems and technology skills.

Founded in 1888, Utah State University is Utah’s premier land-grant, public service university. As an R1 research institution, Utah State is dedicated to advancing knowledge and serving the public good through innovative research and scholarly activities grounded in reciprocal engagement with local, regional, and global communities. USU prepares students to be active, civically engaged leaders who address critical societal challenges. USU enrolls over 29,800 students, both online and in-person at locations throughout the state, including a main campus in Logan, residential campuses in Price and Blanding, and six additional statewide campuses.