Senior Sponsored Research Accountant - Finance Division

Core responsibilities

• Strategic Financial Stewardship & Integrity (25%)
  • Drive the financial close process for sponsored projects in collaboration with Cash Management, ensuring absolute adherence to sponsor terms, university policy, and federal regulations.
  • Ensure the integrity of financial data, lead the rigorous reconciliation of all project accounts before the submission of invoices and reports.
  • Govern revenue recognition for the sponsored projects portfolio, ensuring strict compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and institutional standards.
  • Architect the timely and accurate execution of revenue events within the financial system, safeguarding the university's financial records.
• Compliance Leadership & Expert Consultation (25%)
  • Serve as a key partner and compliance advisor to Principal Investigators (PIs) and department business managers, translating complex regulations into actionable guidance that skillfully balances the PI's scientific objectives with the university's fiduciary and compliance responsibilities.
  • Champion a culture of compliance by proactively identifying, diagnosing, and resolving complex financial issues related to expenditures, reporting, and award terms.
  • Lead and coordinate federal multi-agency audit responses, serving as the principal point of contact, directing the compilation of evidence, and formulating institutional positions and rebuttals.
  • Maintain and disseminate authoritative knowledge of federal regulations, including Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200), Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), and Cost Accounting Standards (CAS).
  • Function as a key liaison and subject matter expert for the broader campus community, ensuring a consistent and compliant approach to research administration.
• Comprehensive Award & Systems Governance (20%)
  • Architect the end-to-end setup of new awards, ensuring meticulous alignment with university, sponsor, and federal requirements for both non-profit and for-profit sponsors.
  • Provide expert consultation regarding the financial administration of the award lifecycle, including funding modifications, budget validation against sponsor agreements, and management of financial installments.
  • Ensure seamless data synchronization between project modules and the general ledger to maintain financial accuracy and system integrity.
• Advanced Portfolio Management & Analytics (25%)
  • Design and implement intuitive financial dashboards and data visualizations to provide PIs and leadership with real-time insights.
  • Orchestrate the timely and accurate delivery of all financial reports, validating cost-sharing commitments, and monitoring project deliverables to meet all contractual obligations.
  • Conduct sophisticated budget-to-actual variance analysis, identify financial risks and opportunities, and provide PIs with actionable intelligence to guide project spending.
  • Provide rigorous oversight of all sub-awardee invoicing, reporting, and compliance, and monitor key personnel effort to ensure alignment with commitments.
  • Lead the comprehensive reconciliation and final closeout of awards, ensuring all financial, technical, and compliance requirements are satisfied and documented.
• Process Innovation & Institutional Contribution (5%)
  • Identify and spearhead process improvement initiatives to enhance the efficiency, accuracy, and effectiveness of sponsored project administration.
  • Serve as a subject matter expert on cross-functional project teams and contribute to strategic departmental and institutional goals.
  • Collaborate and champion with research administration and campus teams to identify and implement improvements to shared business and technology processes supporting sponsored awards.
  • Mentor junior staff members, fostering a collaborative environment of continuous learning and professional growth.
  • Engineer training sessions to be used campus-wide to inform the research community of best practices and unified processes.
  • Adaptability, excellence, and passion are vital qualities within Carnegie Mellon University. We are in search of a team member who can effectively interact with a varied population of internal and external partners at a high level of integrity.

Requirements

• Successful background check

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance
• A generous retirement savings program with employer contributions
• Tuition benefits
• Affordable paid time off and observed holidays
• Life and accidental death and disability insurance
• Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus pass
• Family Concierge Team to help navigate childcare needs
• Fitness center access
• and much more!