Fiscal Compliance Officer

Spelman College Portal • Atlanta, GA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Fiscal Compliance Officer position is needed to strengthen the College’s oversight of externally sponsored funding in an increasingly complex and evolving regulatory environment. With ongoing changes to federal requirements and policies, the College requires dedicated expertise to monitor regulatory developments, ensure institutional compliance, and mitigate financial and compliance risk. The position also provides critical capacity to support the administration of federal awards, strengthen internal controls, and ensure continuity of operations while enhancing the College’s overall sponsored programs compliance framework.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Public Administration, Higher Education Administration, or a related field, with a minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in sponsored programs administration, research administration, grants compliance, financial compliance, auditing, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of federal regulations governing sponsored programs, including the Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200), federal agency requirements, and sponsored research compliance principles.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret evolving federal regulations and translate regulatory requirements into institutional policies, procedures, and operational practices.
• Demonstrated experience participating in federal Single Audits, including preparing audit documentation and responding to auditor requests.
• Ability to research, interpret, and apply complex regulations, sponsor requirements, institutional policies, and professional guidance.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present regulatory information to diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities independently while maintaining confidentiality and exercising sound professional judgment.
• Strong customer service orientation with the ability to build collaborative relationships across academic and administrative departments.

Nice To Haves

• Certified Research Administrator (CRA), Certified Financial Research Administrator (CFRA), Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), or similar professional certification.
• Experience coordinating sponsor audits, compliance reviews, or monitoring activities within a higher education environment.

Responsibilities

• Provides leadership for the College’s sponsored programs fiscal compliance function by developing, implementing, and overseeing a comprehensive compliance program that ensures adherence to federal, state, sponsor, and institutional requirements governing externally funded programs.
• Monitors evolving regulatory requirements, evaluates institutional compliance risks, develops policies and training programs, coordinates compliance and audit activities, and strengthens internal controls to safeguard institutional resources.
• Partners with Research Development and Sponsored Programs, Finance, Procurement, Human Resources, Principal Investigators, and other campus stakeholders to promote compliant stewardship of sponsored funds while supervising compliance staff and providing regulatory guidance across the institution.
• Supports broader institutional fiscal compliance initiatives, including monitoring financial controls related to unrestricted funds to help maintain strong audit outcomes.

What This Job Offers

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