Research Accountant
Job Description
Posting Number
PG193708EPInternal Recruitment
NoWorking Title
Research AccountantAnticipated Hiring Range
$71,000Work Schedule
Monday-Friday, 8am - 5pm, Flexible work arrangements may be available, including virtual/hybrid work locationsJob Location
Raleigh, NCDepartment
College of Sciences ResearchAbout the Department
The College of Sciences (COS) brings together the mathematical, physical and biological sciences in a research-intensive environment that simultaneously values excellence in teaching and a strong community engagement. The COS Research Office is the nucleus of research administration and support; providing a full suite of pre- and post-award services to enhance the research, teaching, administrative and outreach functions of the College. Key office responsibilities include proposal development and submission, portfolio management, effort reporting, and responding to departmental and faculty post-award and other research administration needs.
The College of Sciences aims at creating a diverse, inclusive, and equitable working environment. This position will be expected to foster an environment that is supportive, welcoming of all groups, and abides by our culture charter’s cultural and behavioral aspirations. Please visit https://sciences.ncsu.edu/about/strategic-planning/culture-charter/ for more information on the College of Sciences Culture Charter.
The College of Sciences aims at creating a diverse, inclusive, and equitable working environment. This position will be expected to foster an environment that is supportive, welcoming of all groups, and abides by our culture charter’s cultural and behavioral aspirations. Please visit https://sciences.ncsu.edu/about/strategic-planning/culture-charter/ for more information on the College of Sciences Culture Charter.
Essential Job Duties
The Research Accountant is responsible for overseeing the fiscal management of a diverse portfolio of sponsored projects/ledger five (L-5) grant accounts within the College of Sciences. This includes working with the Accounting Technicians to ensure the initiation of transactions such as rebudgets, no cost extensions, reconciliations and similar are done in a comprehensive and timely manner, and interfacing with the PostAward Accountants to make corrections, if needed, so they can be approved. It also includes proactively monitoring projects to resolve emerging issues quickly, meeting with faculty to assist with budget forecasting and long term financial planning, resolving fiscal management problems across departments and units (including the college HR office and the college finance office), and answering complex financial questions for faculty.
The position also requires significant knowledge of, and consistently navigating all compliance issues within the University, Federal Government, and Agency guidelines, as well as communicating those compliance issues to faculty and the Accounting Technicians as needed to ensure compliant fiscal management. The ideal candidate for this position will have robust familiarity with federal and non-federal grants, fellowships, contracts, and research administration, be comfortable working as part of a team, the capacity to prioritize multiple tasks, organize and delegate tasks to the Accounting Technicians, and the capacity to solve complex budgeting and research administration problems. The role requires being proactive in reporting and project management and finding solutions to problems when compliance concerns arise.
The position also requires significant knowledge of, and consistently navigating all compliance issues within the University, Federal Government, and Agency guidelines, as well as communicating those compliance issues to faculty and the Accounting Technicians as needed to ensure compliant fiscal management. The ideal candidate for this position will have robust familiarity with federal and non-federal grants, fellowships, contracts, and research administration, be comfortable working as part of a team, the capacity to prioritize multiple tasks, organize and delegate tasks to the Accounting Technicians, and the capacity to solve complex budgeting and research administration problems. The role requires being proactive in reporting and project management and finding solutions to problems when compliance concerns arise.
- Responsible for college-level Contract and Grant budgetary and financial activities and post- award compliance with all federal, state, sponsor, and University regulation including periodic review, analysis, and follow-up of sponsored award activities, budget analysis, financial reporting, and project close-out.
- Management of these functions requires thorough understanding of the administrative and financial systems that capture and track award information from receipt to closeout.
- Monitor and reconcile budgets and expenditures on a regular basis to ensure financial integrity and compliance with award terms and conditions.
- Attend new award meetings with all requested parties dependent on the complexity of project.
- Prepare internal reports for management of awards including: burn rate, cost share required, cost share met to date, status of all accounts, status of closeouts, spending projections, etc.
- Attend regular meetings with researchers to review current awards, create spending projections, prepare rebudgets as needed, clarify expenditures, etc.
- Ensure budgets are accurate and loaded correctly into the financial system.
- Create all necessary project modification requests, route to the university central offices, and follow up on status until request is complete.
- Verify that all HR actions, pay compensation, and cost share have been properly set up for the correct amounts and award periods.
- Review accounting documents for accuracy and allowability, and process all grant-funded invoices, IDTs, Marketplace orders, and travel authorizations to ensure timely payment of all obligations.
- Assist with preparation of timely financial reports for submission to the agency according to the terms and conditions of the award.
- Review and analyze cost sharing/matching, property management, and procurement standards for regulatory compliance based upon award terms and conditions.
- Closeout sponsored awards:
- Reconcile the project-to-date expenditures.
- Request approval from funding agency for the carryover and re-budgeting funds.
- Prepare final reports as specified in award.
- Research and verify amount of cost sharing required to be reported.
- Conduct a final inventory of equipment and property purchased with award funds.
- Assist university central offices with any closeout-related inquiry.
Other Responsibilities
other duties as assigned
Minimum Education and Experience
Bachelor’s degree with 12 credit hours of accounting coursework; or Associate’s degree in Accounting; or Associate’s degree in Business or related discipline with 12 credit hours of accounting coursework; or equivalent combination of training and experience.
All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.
All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.
Other Required Qualifications
- Ability to work independently as well as part of a team in an effective and efficient manner requiring minimal supervision.
- Possess excellent analytical and verbal/written communication skills. Strong attention to detail.
- Ability to work under pressure.
- Experience with grants management and federal circulars.
- Ability to assess and resolve unprecedented problems that require research and review of policy, procedures, and regulations.
- Apply judgement for problem resolutions or program requirements.
- Ability to understand and properly apply complex requirements, regulations, and concepts well enough to explain to others.
- Ability to take initiative to identify and recommend process improvements with a focus on increasing efficiency and customer service.
- Ability to mitigate/resolve situations to customer satisfaction.
- Strong computer skills including Word, Access, Excel and the Windows environment, or similar software.
Preferred Qualifications
- 5 years of post-award experience in the administration of sponsored awards or a Master’s Degree.
- Knowledge of the University and State financial processes.
- Experience/knowledge of Cost Accounting Standards, Uniform Guidance, and ledger 5.
- PeopleSoft financial experience and knowledge of PeopleSoft actions.
Required License(s) or Certification(s)
n/a
Valid NC Driver's License required
NoCommercial Driver's License required
NoJob Open Date
10/03/2024Anticipated Close Date
Open Until FilledSpecial Instructions to Applicants
Please include a resume, cover letter and contact information for three professional references.
Position Number
00043153Position Type
EHRA Non-FacultyFull Time Equivalent (FTE) (1.0 = 40 hours/week)
1.0Appointment
12 Month RecurringMandatory Designation - Adverse Weather
Non Mandatory - Adverse WeatherMandatory Designation - Emergency Events
Non Mandatory - Emergency EventDepartment ID
170501 - College of Sciences ResearchAA/EEO
NC State University is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as an individual with a disability, or status as a protected veteran. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919-515-3148 to speak with a representative at the Office of Equal Opportunity.
If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at (919) 515-2135 or workatncstate@ncsu.edu.
Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit.
NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.
If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at (919) 515-2135 or workatncstate@ncsu.edu.
Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit.
NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.
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