Grant Accountant Manager

Who We Are

The Campus Controller's Office maintains and supports the university's fiscal responsibility through accurate financial accounting and reporting and in compliance with laws, regulations, policies/procedures and contract requirements for sponsored projects. We provide oversight, assistance and training in financial stewardship for the campus.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

• Manage Sponsored Projects Administration. (Strategic Priority: Process Excellence)
• Provides oversight, direction, and quality control for all post-award financial and compliance activities across the team’s assigned portfolios, including identifying trends, risks, and systemic issues to inform process improvements and leadership decision-making.
• Oversee and review the work of grant accounting staff performing analysis of approved budgets and award/contract documents issued by funding agencies; ensure accurate interpretation and application of all fiscal, post-award, billing, payment, and closeout requirements, and terms and conditions across assigned award portfolios.
• Manage and oversee staff communications with campus partners (Principal Investigator, Dean/Director, and Department/Institute Research Administrator) regarding grant/contract financial restrictions and terms and conditions; serve as escalation point for complex or high-risk issues. Maintain and enforce policies and procedures to ensure compliance with all fiscal requirements related to assigned awards and/or contracts.
• Provide guidance on the interpretation and analysis of university accounting data for compliance with approved budgets and all applicable policies and guidelines (University, Federal, State, funding agency). Review and validate outputs for accuracy and compliance. Communicate lapses in compliance to campus partners and RFS leadership as applicable. Oversee and direct the resolution of post-award issues in collaboration with campus partners, funding agencies, and RFS leadership.
• Oversee the review and approval of requests from campus partners for administrative and/or processing changes (e.g., indirect cost adjustments, cost transfers, spending control edits, project end dates), ensuring accuracy, appropriateness, and compliance.
• Ensure appropriate controls, processes, and staff accountability are in place to establish, maintain, and reconcile grant/contract records in compliance with specific grant provisions or restrictions.
• Direct staff in managing all applicable financial, post-award, and closeout deliverables for assigned awards and/or contracts, including establishing priorities, monitoring progress, and maintaining PeopleSoft milestones.
• Oversee and review the preparation and submission of required interim and final financial reports and invoices, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and compliance with sponsor requirements.
• Approve the preparation and submission of Federal Letter of Credit draw requests.
• Direct the award closeout activities, including ensuring final review of expenditures, payments, and accounts receivable.
• Review and manage the preparation and submission of final post-award closeout reports, as applicable, in collaboration with CCO Property Control Team, OCG and campus partners.
• Provide strategic guidance and subject matter expertise to the Office of Contracts and Grants (OCG) teams to resolve contract and subcontract negotiation questions related to invoicing and financial reporting.
• Assist with site visits, Federal and Non-Federal system audits, and/or individual project audits, in collaboration with the RFS leadership and campus partners; ensure staff readiness and completeness of documentation.
• Supervision and Training (Strategic Priority: People Development)
• Demonstrate a commitment to valuing diversity and lead efforts to foster an inclusive working and learning environment; ensure team practices align with organizational values.
• Recruit well-qualified enthusiastic professional staff that will actively embrace and participate in organizational changes.
• Direct and manage unit operations within area of responsibility, including establishing priorities, allocating resources, and defining performance expectations. Develop, monitor, and evaluate performance metrics to ensure timely, accurate, and compliant outcomes.
• Supervise, coach, and evaluate staff performance, providing ongoing feedback, setting clear expectations, and holding staff accountable for results to support a high-performing team environment.
• Establish and reinforce a positive, cooperative, and customer-focused work culture, encouraging effective engagement with colleagues, sponsors, and campus partners.
• Develop staff capabilities through coaching, mentoring, and structured development plans, including both leadership and technical skill building.
• Oversee and advance career pathing and professional development initiatives, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and staff growth.
• Ensure staff receive appropriate training and guidance on sponsored programs policies and procedures; oversee the interpretation and consistent application of University, Federal, State, and sponsor requirements across the team.
• Lead team through process improvements and system/technology changes, setting direction, managing impacts, and ensuring successful adoption aligned with university critical initiatives.
• Oversee and contribute to the development of training materials and delivery of team training; provide subject matter expertise for complex or high-impact topics as needed.
• Represent CCO/RFS in University, regional, and national forums, contributing to strategic discussions and bringing back relevant insights to inform team direction.
• Identify and support professional development opportunities for staff and self to maintain current knowledge of regulations, standard processes, and emerging trends.
• Ensure continuity of operations by coordinating workload coverage and redistributing responsibilities during staff absences; provide technical backstop support as needed.
• Relationship and Knowledge Management (Strategic Priority: University Engagement)
• Maintain an extensive working knowledge of University, State, Federal, and funding agency policies and procedures, including Uniform Guidance (UG), Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Develop a strong rapport with funding agency personnel, campus partners, and other stakeholders. Ensure the unit has a strong relationship with campus partners and provide engagement opportunities for staff to meet, visit and interact with research faculty and staff.
• Collaborate effectively with colleagues within CU, other Higher Education Institutions, associations, and state entities, to modernize and implement best practices for Research Administration at the CU Boulder campus.
• Facilitate conversations with campus partners and stakeholders to understand their needs and expectations, and to develop strategies to address them.