Associate Director-Sponsored Award Accounting

University of Tennessee • Memphis, TN

1d

About The Position

The Associate Director Sponsored Award Accounting directs sponsored award accounting operations, supervises the Sponsored Award Accountant ladder, and holds defined approval authority over transactions affecting sponsored funds.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• Five (5) years of related responsible grants and contracts accounting experience; OR Master’s Degree and three (3) years of related responsible grants and contracts accounting experience; OR a combination of related education and work experience to equal nine (9) years.
• Expert knowledge of Uniform Guidance, cost principles, and allowability determination.
• Knowledge of institutional accounting policy, indirect cost recovery, and cost share requirements.
• Knowledge of internal control principles including segregation of duties and approval authority.
• Skill in supervising professional accounting staff.
• Ability to make and document approval decisions under regulatory and time pressure.
• Ability to explain institutional practice to auditors and sponsors.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s Degree preferred.
• Certified Public Accountant license preferred.

Responsibilities

• Approves non-salary cost transfers affecting sponsored and cost share funds, confirming documentation, timeliness, allowability, and adequacy of explanation.
• Approves salary and wage cost transfers affecting sponsored funds in coordination with Payroll.
• Allocates award portfolio based on complexity and workload, adjusting assignments as award volume and mix change.
• Approves financial reports and invoices prepared by accountants prior to certification to the sponsor, above the delegated accountant threshold.
• Oversees monthly reconciliation of sponsored receivables and resolution of outstanding or unreconciled balances.
• Oversees accurate establishment of sponsored awards based on approved award documentation.
• Serves as the escalation point for complex sponsor and departmental financial issues beyond the accountant level.
• Coordinates with Research Administration when award terms require clarification rather than independently interpreting executed agreements.
• Provides sponsored programs receivable balances and supporting reconciling schedules for annual financial statement preparation in coordination with the Controller.
• Monitors invoice aging, unbilled balances, and collection status and directs appropriate follow-up and intervention.
• Conducts quality reviews of financial reports and award closeouts and uses finding to strengthen staff training and performance.
• Maintains effective backup coverage to ensure continuity of award administration.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager