Grant and Restricted Fund Accountant

Description

• Under the direction of the Controller, the Grant Accounting and Restricted Fund
• Accountant provides financial management and compliance oversight for grants,
• contracts, and other awards from foundation, corporate, and government sponsors
• supporting faculty research, scholarship, creative activities, and curricular,
• programmatic, and College initiatives.

• The Grant Accounting and Restricted Fund Accountant works closely with Grant
• Managers, Principal Investigators (PIs), and others responsible for
• institutional and faculty-led grants. This position has primary responsibility
• for establishing accounting procedures and protocols, costing and allocations,
• monthly reporting and auditing of grants, and assisting with establishing grant
• budgets within the College’s financial systems.

• The Grant Accounting and Restricted Fund Accountant is responsible for
• monitoring and properly recording indirect funds related to grants in compliance
• with the Office of Management and Budget’s Uniform Guidance. This position
• monitors grant funds from award setup through closeout while adhering to
• College, State, and Federal policies and requirements.

• This position plays an important role in post-award compliance by ensuring that
• grant budgets are not overspent, grant periods are followed, costs are allowable
• under the terms of the grant, and accounting records are accurate, complete, and
• maintained appropriately.

• The Grant Accounting and Restricted Fund Accountant also prepares and analyzes
• monthly reports for endowed and other restricted funds to ensure spending does
• not exceed allowable amounts. This position works closely with the Senior
• Financial Planning Analyst to budget for restricted positions and known
• expenditures.

Supervision Received

Reports to the Controller.

• Works closely with the Vice President of Finance and Operations, Controller,
• Vice Presidents and Directors, Grant Managers and Principal Investigators, and
• the Office of Academic Research, Grants and Sponsored Programs.

Supervision Exercised

• This position has no direct reports but provides joint oversight with the
• Controller of accounting staff working on grant and restricted fund accounting.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• Five or more years of experience in accounting, internal controls, and/or

auditing.

• Experience with grants and contracts administration, preferably within a

higher education setting.

• Experience with federal Uniform Guidance requirements.
• Experience with endowed and restricted fund accounting.
• Extensive knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, Google applications, and

accounting software.

• Strong problem-solving skills with an understanding of data analysis and

forecasting.

• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to work independently

and collaboratively.

• Ability to handle highly confidential information responsibly.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, particularly when working

with individuals without a financial background.

• Strong data-entry skills with a high degree of accuracy.
• Ability to accurately prepare and maintain records, files, reports, and

correspondence.

• Demonstrated ability to complete assignments accurately and with attention to

detail.

• Ability to analyze, organize, and prioritize work effectively while working

under pressure and meeting deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated strong financial and quantitative skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills.
• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills and the ability to build

effective working relationships.

• Demonstrated ability to work independently and manage projects effectively.
• Strong leadership and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to learn quickly and apply strong problem-solving and

critical-thinking skills.

• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Microsoft Excel.
• Experience developing reports from ERP systems using tools such as SmartView

or Tableau.

• Experience with grant management systems such as Kyuse and Oracle Cloud.
• Experience with grant accounting, post-award administration, and compliance

in a higher education environment.

Essential Job Functions

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and College regulations, policies, and

procedures.

• Research, interpret, and apply sponsor regulations and guidelines to ensure

grant and financial compliance.

• Develop policies and procedures and document internal controls related to

financial compliance.

• Track and maintain records required for state and federal compliance,

• including audit reports, procurement documentation, compensation
• certifications, and risk assessments.

• Assist with and/or perform grant-related post-award functions, including

• award setup, budget distributions, expense monitoring, periodic invoicing,
• and financial reporting.

• Review and approve labor distribution transfers and related communications,

reconciliations, and re-budgeting activities.

• Prepare journal entries to allocate residuals, overdrafts, and/or overhead

• discrepancies to departmental accounts resulting from reconciliations and
• grant closeouts.

• Maintain regular communication with departments and fiscal contacts at

funding sources to resolve issues and gather information.

• Perform grant closeout activities, including reconciliations, final invoices,

and final reporting.

• Manage grant-related data, prepare financial reports, and lead monthly grant

financial review meetings.

• Review and approve grant expenditures to ensure costs are allocable,

allowable, and reasonable.

• Track and report on cost-share commitments.
• Assist with budget revisions throughout the grant period.
• Collaborate with the Finance Office during grant and College audits.
• Assist the Finance Office with grant-related invoicing, subaward recipient

risk assessments and monitoring, and award closeout.

• Assist in preparing and reviewing grant budgets and update the College Budget

• system to support accurate reporting of actual expenditures against the
• approved budget.

• Prepare monthly reports and analysis related to other restricted funds to

identify potential overspending and notify the Accounting Office of concerns.

• Communicate with departments regarding activity and balances associated with

restricted funds.

• Prepare journal entries to correct discrepancies related to restricted fund

activities.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Schedule

• Full-time, Monday through Friday, during regular College business hours. The
• position may require occasional additional hours to meet reporting, audit, grant
• closeout, or other critical deadlines.

Work Authorization

• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time
• of hire and must not require visa sponsorship from Saint Mary’s College, either
• now or in the future.