Accounting Specialist IV

Tennessee Tech•Cookeville, TN

25d

About The Position

The Accounting Specialist IV performs full-cycle budget support, monitoring, and compliance for federal, state, private, and local grants. The position assists the Director of Grant Accounting and provides backup support to the Grant Accountant. It serves as a primary point of contact for Principal Investigators and grant analysts on compliance, financial, and project-management matters, and supports grant accounting systems, training, reporting, and audits.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in accounting from an accredited institution.
Seven years of related professional experience, including three years of accounting or financial work experience and two years of governmental fund accounting experience. An MBA may substitute for two years of required experience.
Knowledge of federal and state laws and accounting principles and practices.
Working knowledge of grants and/or contracts.
Ability to analyze and interpret contracts and financial statements.
Experience formulating and analyzing budgets.
Knowledge of, familiarity with, and comfort using accounting software.
Competency in Microsoft Excel.
Excellent written and spoken communication skills.
Overall understanding of the University mission and the role of grant accounting in that mission.

Nice To Haves

MBA and/or CPA.
Experience with Oracle software systems.

Responsibilities

Prepare and review SEFA/SIS reports and other reports and surveys requested by federal, state, and other agencies.
Prepare monthly and quarterly financial statements in accordance with grantor specifications and invoice grantors within 30 days of month-end close.
Submit invoices by mail, email, or agency-approved electronic drawdown systems, as required.
Monitor Accounts Receivable aging for assigned projects.
Assist with annual year-end closing and audits, including reviewing grant and contract accounts and providing auditors with requested documentation and analysis.
Assist the Director of Grant Accounting and serve as a primary contact for Principal Investigators and grant analysts on compliance, financial, and project-management issues.
Complete special projects as assigned and assist with Grant Accounting finance system issues.
Attend external agency meetings as required.
Complete vendor registrations and certifications.
Manage the compensation reporting process, including distributing, collecting, logging, tracking, and electronically storing and retrieving certification forms to ensure compliance with 2 CFR 200.
Resolve discrepancies and corrections reported on returned certified compensation reports and follow up with faculty and grant analysts to ensure reports are accurate.
Prepare monthly labor distribution change forms to reflect grant personnel effort.
Research federal and state fixed-asset dispositions and ensure disposal complies with grant, agency, and 2 CFR 200 guidelines.
Approve grant and restricted-account expenditures processed through the University procurement system.
Prepare journal entries as needed.
Provide documentation for sponsoring-agency desk reviews and audits.
Prepare carryforwards for match and other accounts.
Approve grant subcontracts.
Assist with grant training for grant analysts.
Maintain the Grant Accounting webpage.