Accountant III

Iowa State University•Ames, IA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Controller’s Department at Iowa State University is seeking qualified candidates for two Accountant III positions. One position will be within the department of Sponsored Programs Accounting. This position will manage the fiscal requirements of assigned contract and grants. The second position will be split between the department of Sponsored Programs Accounting and Financial Accounting and Compliance. This position will work half time managing the fiscal requirements of assigned contracts and grants within Sponsored Programs Accounting and the other half working in Financial Accounting and Compliance assisting with fee for service management and rate reviews. Responsibilities for the dedicated Sponsored Programs accountant include invoicing sponsors, follow-up, and collection of delinquent A/R, filing fiscal reports and other reports by specified deadlines, monitoring accounts, documenting cost share, and reviewing new contracts and grants for applicable fiscal requirements. This position will also provide support to researchers and departmental administrative staff, including advising staff on applicable federal and state regulations and university policies; research various questions/issues and negotiate mutually acceptable solutions; and may also lead special projects. Responsibilities for the Financial Accounting and Compliance accountant include reviewing yearly rates for cost centers that have active fee for service accounts; working closely with departments on questions that arise with their fee for service rates at the time of review or throughout the year; analyzing financial data, evaluating cost recovery methodologies, and ensuring compliance with ISU policy in the review and administration of fee for service operations. This position will also assist with the review and approval of new fee for service accounts and the closeout of existing accounts, advise departments on financial and compliance matters, review financial risk, and exercise professional judgment in applying university policies to unique situations. The successful candidate for either position will have exceptional oral and written communication skills, organizational and time management skills, and the ability to comprehend and explain legal documents and regulations. The successful candidate will also work well with others as a team member and a provider of customer service; and will have excellent presentation skills for training seminars given to ISU staff. Both Accountant III positions will be expected to provide excellent customer service by answering complex questions related to fee for service accounts and sponsored programs based upon an overall understanding of federal regulations, ISU costing policy, and other relevant ISU policies. The successful candidate at this level will also have a good understanding of the cost allowability guidelines and administrative regulations included in the OMB Circulars 2 CFR 200 (Uniform Guidance) as well as the ability to interpret those guidelines as they relate to the federal sponsored awards; and the ability to read and understand terms and conditions incorporated into sponsored program agreements and identify those which may affect the financial administration of the award such as reporting requirements, unique cost allowability terms, equipment purchases and ownership.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree
5 years of related experience
Exceptional oral and written communication skills
Organizational and time management skills
Ability to comprehend and explain legal documents and regulations
Ability to work well with others as a team member and a provider of customer service
Excellent presentation skills for training seminars
Good understanding of the cost allowability guidelines and administrative regulations included in the OMB Circulars 2 CFR 200 (Uniform Guidance)
Ability to interpret those guidelines as they relate to the federal sponsored awards
Ability to read and understand terms and conditions incorporated into sponsored program agreements and identify those which may affect the financial administration of the award

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Research Administration, or related field
Sponsored program experience
Fee for service experience
Experience working at an Institute of Higher Education or a State or Federal entity
Workday experience
Experience with Microsoft Office, including Excel and Word
Experience in an accounting or finance related environment

Responsibilities

Invoicing sponsors, follow-up, and collection of delinquent A/R
Filing fiscal reports and other reports by specified deadlines
Monitoring accounts
Documenting cost share
Reviewing new contracts and grants for applicable fiscal requirements
Providing support to researchers and departmental administrative staff
Advising staff on applicable federal and state regulations and university policies
Researching various questions/issues and negotiate mutually acceptable solutions
Leading special projects
Reviewing yearly rates for cost centers that have active fee for service accounts
Working closely with departments on questions that arise with their fee for service rates
Analyzing financial data
Evaluating cost recovery methodologies
Ensuring compliance with ISU policy in the review and administration of fee for service operations
Assisting with the review and approval of new fee for service accounts and the closeout of existing accounts
Advising departments on financial and compliance matters
Reviewing financial risk
Exercising professional judgment in applying university policies to unique situations
Answering complex questions related to fee for service accounts and sponsored programs
Interpreting OMB Circulars 2 CFR 200 (Uniform Guidance) guidelines as they relate to federal sponsored awards
Reading and understanding terms and conditions incorporated into sponsored program agreements and identifying those which may affect the financial administration of the award