Research Accountant

About the role

The position supports the financial administration of sponsored projects across the university’s diverse grant portfolio. Key responsibilities include budget preparation and review, match determination and reporting, monthly budget monitoring, review of expenditures and labor allocations, billing, progress reporting, final reporting, and fund closeout. Compliance with federal regulations, sponsor requirements, and institutional policies is ensured.

Responsibilities

• Prepares financial and progress reports required by sponsoring agencies; ensures completeness, accuracy, and timely submission.
• Performs monitoring to ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, sponsor, and university regulations, including expense allowability and allocability, invoicing, expenditure review, effort reporting, travel cost-sharing documentation, account closeouts, indirect cost calculations, subrecipient monitoring, and audit requirements.
• Establishes and maintains grant funds, budgets, and cost-share cost centers for new awards.
• Reviews award documents, sponsor regulations, and internal policies to confirm allowability and compliance before processing transactions.
• Provides financial guidance to PIs and departmental administrators on expenditure projections, regulations, and allowable cost practices; reconciles grant accounts including payroll and expenses on a monthly or quarterly basis, prepares recurring financial data reports (monthly or quarterly).
• Assists internal, state, and federal auditors by compiling documentation, schedules, and explanations related to sponsored program activity.
• Participates in training programs and develops instructional materials for faculty and staff on research administration processes.
• Manages reporting timelines, ensuring all financial reporting obligations are completed accurately and on schedule.
• Supports and assists in creating intersections and pathways for faculty, staff, and students that will assist in transforming people’s lives.
• Supports and assists in creating an evolving culture of connection, mentoring, and rich engagement opportunities for faculty, staff, and students.
• Maintains a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, and a high degree of cultural competence and respect for a wide range of identities and experiences, therefore welcoming and supporting all faculty, staff, and students and expanding access to the AU experience.
• Maintains a safe working environment within and around their facilities and associated equipment and supplies including, but not limited to, obtaining Safety Data Sheet (SDS) information pertaining to any hazards associated with their work environment.
• Participates in all required assigned training, including safety training and will comply with safety rules, regulations, and protocols.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required in accounting, finance or related field, Masters degree preferred
• 3+ years of accounting experience, audit documentation and grant post-award experience preferred.
• Certified Research Administrator (CRA), Certified Pre-award Research Administrator (CPRA), or CPA preferred
• Strong analytical, organizational, budgeting, and ability to handle multiple projects and deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication abilities.
• Working knowledge of applicable federal and state regulations and compliance.
• Proficiency with Excel and grant ERP systems.

Qualifications

• Must be able to wear personal protective equipment when required.
• A respiratory function test and the ability to use respirators may be required.
• Stairs and uneven surfaces may be present; artificial lifts, etc. may or may not be available.
• The position may require the incumbent to walk outdoors in all types of weather to other buildings or offices located on the campus.
• The Campus is located in an area that contains numerous hills and slopes and may not always be fully accessible for mobility impaired individuals.

Skills

• Effective written and oral communication skills.

Benefits

Not specified

Pay

$74,548-$78,841, Annually

Schedule

Full Time