Contracts and Grants Accountant

Navajo Technical University•Crownpoint, NM

About The Position

Performs administrative and technical functions related to grants, contracts, and other agreements from external funding sources. Administers and monitors the University's grants and contracts, ensuring they are maintained in accordance with contractual requirements and applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures. The position description gives a general indication of the work and is not an exhaustive list of assigned responsibilities. The role supports funding opportunity identification, proposal and bid review, budget preparation, award setup, compliance monitoring, financial reporting, recordkeeping, and annual audits. Work is generally performed in an office setting, where tight time constraints and multiple demands are common. Evening or weekend work, extended hours, and irregular shifts may be required.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field.
Three years of accounting, grant, and contract experience.
Valid state driver's license.
Must pass a background check with no prior felony convictions.
Knowledge of applicable federal, state, county, and local laws, regulations, and requirements for grant and contract administration.
Knowledge of business English, spelling, grammar, punctuation, and basic arithmetic.
Knowledge of tribal, federal, and state auditing policies and procedures.
Skill operating business computers and office machines in a Windows environment, including Word, Excel, Access, and presentation software such as PowerPoint.
Skill in developing, writing, and submitting funding proposals; preparing reports and correspondence; budget preparation and administration; and preparing, reviewing, and analyzing operational and financial reports.
Ability to analyze problems, project consequences, identify solutions, and implement recommendations.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and create and present effective reports, speeches, and presentations.
Ability to work independently, meet strict timelines, make sound decisions, exercise independent judgment, analyze situations, and select appropriate courses of action.
Ability to be persuasive and tactful in controversial situations and interpret applicable laws, regulations, and requirements.
Ability to interact and maintain good working relationships with people of varying cultural and social backgrounds.
Ability to communicate effectively in Navajo and English.
Ability to sit for up to eight hours per day; stand, walk, stoop, kneel, or crouch; perform dexterous and repetitive hand movements; and lift, push, or pull up to 25 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree preferred.

Responsibilities

Identify and communicate potential funding opportunities to principal investigators, departmental administrators, and support staff.
Review proposal applications against funding-agency specifications and institutional documentation, including review of proposed costs and allowable costs.
Prepare bids, process specifications, test and progress reports, and other required qualifications.
Review vendor or agency bids for conformity with grant or contract requirements and determine acceptable bids.
Coordinate budget preparation and design with faculty for contracts, grants, and subcontract applications.
Secure a fund number for each grant or contract awarded.
Maintain current knowledge of institutional policies and federal requirements governing externally funded grants and contracts.
Review and monitor project spending to ensure funds are expended in accordance with federal, state, and University regulations.
Request additional or supplemental sponsor approvals when required and request or recommend amendments or extensions to grants and contracts.
Participate in program startup to ensure compliance with funding-agency requirements.
Ensure compliance with contractual obligations and requirements.
Coordinate actions on correspondence, forms, financial reports, and other documents before submission to funding agencies.
Review official directives and correspondence to ensure University compliance with agency program policies, procedures, and assignments.
Organize and monitor communications between Accounting and principal investigators to ensure proposals and refunding requests are properly budgeted.
Support timely financial reporting by coordinating scheduled budget meetings with Accounting staff and principal investigators.
Prepare SEFA and other financial reports and participate in the annual audit.
Establish and maintain electronic and hard-copy master lists and filing systems, including backup files.
Research, retrieve, and assemble records upon request.
Maintain professional and technical knowledge through research, training, professional publications, networking, professional societies, and consultation with contracting-agency representatives and related organizations.
Perform other duties as assigned.