Gifts and Grants Accountant

About the role

Reporting to the Associate Vice President of Budgeting & Planning, the Gifts and Grants Accountant is responsible for the administration and oversight of the University’s operating, grant, restricted, and agency fund accounts, including monthly account reconciliations. This position exercises independent judgment and discretion while working collaboratively with budget officers and campus partners to support effective financial management and compliance with University policies and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and administer designated operating accounts (fund 11, 12 & 14), all grants (fund 22), restricted funds (fund 21), and agency funds (fund 71), including setting up and monitoring grant budgets, reviewing expenses, and ensuring compliance with federal and grant requirements and related financial reporting and invoicing.
• Oversee expenses to ensure funds are used for allowed purposes and provide final approval before payment.
• Provide new account numbers, monitor budgets, and communicate with budget officers.
• Independently gather necessary information and prepare monthly operational journal entries to properly account for Southwestern operations, including physical plant charge outs, utility allocations, indirect salary allocations, postage, and other monthly charges as assigned.
• Provide general professional accounting support within the Business Office involving compilation, consolidation, and analysis of financial data (ledgers, preparing journal entries, compliance with internal controls, reconciliations, etc.), especially as it relates to month-end and year-end tasks by established deadlines.
• Serve as the Business Office main contact for theatre box office, including reviewing box office deposits and analyzing monthly reports for accuracy.
• Prepare monthly invoices and related journal entries and perform necessary collections related to third-party external organizations that owe Southwestern University.
• Act as primary contact for indirect cost rate (IDC) for the University, including preparing data analysis and collection during IDC renewal cycles.
• Prepare annual NSF HERD survey and other surveys as required by granting agency or as assigned.
• Review and maintain the general ledger user defined fields of the trial balance.
• Support audit work paper preparation.
• Support budget preparation and review.
• Assist with special accounting projects.
• Review and approve requests to fill positions, purchase requisitions, procurement card transactions, and contracts.
• Serve as the primary administrator for general ledger (GL) account setup and provide appropriate access to business functions within the University’s ERP system and other business platforms.
• Perform journal entries, support fiscal year-end closeout activities, and assist with audits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or related field.
• Three years of professional-level experience in accounting or project accounting.
• Strong accounting and data analysis skills and astute problem-solving ability.
• Strong understanding of budgeting, project accounting, and financial record keeping.
• Advanced Excel and word processing software skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Demonstrated leadership skills, including a strong work ethic.
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to handle multiple tasks with a keen attention to detail.
• Excellent interaction and communication skills (verbal and written).
• Knowledge, understanding, and acceptance of cultural differences and the diversity within the campus and community.
• Demonstrated professional manner with all internal and external University constituencies.
• Ability to be flexible, adjust to fluctuating priorities, perform well in stressful situations, and produce a reliable work product.
• Possess the applications of tact, diplomacy, sensitivity, and confidentiality.
• Understanding and commitment to a liberal arts education, including the ability to relate to a liberal arts faculty.
• Ability to attend work consistently and maintain a regular work schedule.

Preferred Position Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Business.
• Five or more years of professional-level accounting experience, with demonstrated knowledge of project accounting and federal grant compliance.
• Prior experience using Datatel, Cashnet/Transact, Concur, and Softdocs.
• Work experience in higher education or a non-profit organization.

Pay

Starting annual salary: $62,826. The final offer for the successful candidate will be commensurate with experience and may exceed the starting annual salary.