CS&E Research Accountant - Military Veterans

This position can be filled at the Finance Professional-Grant/Research level 2 or 3 based on applicant experience.

Job duties:

Grant and Contract Accounting and Analysis (70%)
Responsible for the strategic planning regarding a faculty member's sponsored and non-sponsored account portfolio, including accounting, reconciliation, auditing, contract management, sub-award set up, negotiations, award modifications, and project closeout. Regularly meet with faculty to review the status of accounts and develop individualized financial plans detailing analysis of their accounts, committed effort, and cost share commitments. Collaborate across the University with institutional representatives to ensure proper account setup, financial reporting, and other compliance as per sponsor guidelines and University policies.
Enter payroll distribution updates, process salary cost transfers, and prepare journal entries, as needed. Interpret and communicate policy for faculty and staff, including keeping up to date on changing policies and procedures related to internal and external sponsors.
Access data and create ad hoc reports for faculty to make programmatic decisions.
Review and approve appointments and positions requested by faculty to ensure accounts have appropriate funding and have been correctly budgeted.
Review and approve effort statements with the support of the Department Effort Coordinator.
Maintain integrity of accounting systems and the Chart of Accounts.

Department Approver / CA Approver (15%)
Provide approvals for financial transactions to include travel reimbursements, requisitions, journals, deposits, vouchers, and procurement card (PCARD) activity.
Certify and approve expenditures on sponsored research projects based on how they relate to University policies/procedures, identify areas of concern, and recommend solutions. Communicate reconciliation processes and expectations with assigned faculty and students. Understand sponsor and University policies and provide expertise on best practices to handle expenditure and requirements.
Assist with various internal audits of business operations to ensure compliance.

Grant Proposal and Submissions (10%)
Note: Work related to grant proposals and submissions will predominantly be in a backup capacity to the CS&E Pre-Award Coordinator.
Read and interpret proposal solicitations for budget instructions.
Prepare proposal budget using solicitation instructions and faculty input.
Determine appropriate rates to use for personnel, fringe, and indirect costs.
Lead the proposal preparation process with the faculty and subcontracts, as needed, including large center proposals.
Responsible for timely proposal submission to SPA and agency.
Collaborate with post-award accountants on proposal details, as needed.
Maintain official proposal data for the department.

Other duties as assigned (5%)
Attend GMUN, FSUN, and SPA Symposium and appropriate training opportunities.
Serve on committees as needed for the University, College, and Department.
Work with unit administration on fiscal year close out and annual budget preparation.
Other duties as needed to manage the accounting function in the department.

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree AND at least four (4) years of job-related experience or a combination of related education and work experience to equal at least eight (8) years.

Preferred Qualifications:

Prefer a certified approver. If not a certified approver, must have equivalent experience and training and will be encouraged to pass the test within 12 months of the hire date.
Experience with financial planning or budget management.
Experience with Uniform Guidance, GAAP, GASB and demonstrated ability to articulate Federal laws, circulars and institutional policies to ensure financial compliance.
Familiarity with University systems such as PeopleSoft, EFS, UM Reports, ECRT and MN-GEMS.
Demonstrated ability to proactively identify and resolve complex problems.
Demonstrated ability to organize and direct multiple projects and interrelated financial activities with major operational or funding impact.
Strong customer service skills.
Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Familiarity with University and sponsor accounting (Federal and non-Federal) regulations.
Strong organizational skills with demonstrated ability to simultaneously work on multiple projects with fixed deadlines and an ability to re-prioritize tasks to successfully meet deadlines.
Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external organizations, groups, team leaders and members and individuals.
Demonstrated ability to take direction and correction to improve skills and productivity.
Demonstrated experience communicating clearly and effectively to faculty, staff, students, central business units, governmental organizations and private businesses, both verbally and in writing.