Grant/Contract Accountant II

Brown University

2d • Remote

About The Position

The Grant/Contract Accountant II is a member of the Post Award team in the University's central Office of Sponsored Projects. The incumbent is expected to provide direct services to faculty, department managers and all members of the research community. Responsibilities include reviewing and processing awards, including interpreting, and ensuring compliance with award terms and conditions, rendering decisions regarding sponsored project issues, budget management, expenditure review, financial reporting, cash management, and all other award management activities, including participation in training, special projects, and systems development. Review, interpret and disseminate University and sponsor policies for a variety of issues ranging from cost allowability to reporting requirements, effectively articulate these policies to internal and external constituencies including Faculty, Departmental Administrators, and the Division of the Vice President for Research. In addition, the position also serves as a mentor and resource to junior staff members.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and 3+years of research administration experience or closely related experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience, required.
• Familiarity with university or academic medical center or non-profit organizations a plus.
• Award management application systems experience preferred.
• Excellent decision making and interpretive skills and the ability to provide effective advice on award issues are critical to answer questions and resolve issues presented by departmental administrators and faculty members.
• Tireless attention to detail and awareness of the importance of University’s relationship with sponsors.
• Computer proficiency in data entry maintenance, word processing and spreadsheet applications.
• Ability to navigate sponsor’s administrative websites for award management and financial reporting.
• Ability to interact effectively with staff, faculty, deans, and external sponsors; strong organizational, administrative, and time management skills; ability to work under pressure in a deadline-oriented environment; ability to satisfy divergent interest in support of broader strategic goals of the University (e.g, Building on Distinction).
• Effective communication skills, both oral and written, to elicit and communicate information, to analyze complex issues, and to prepare/present clear, informative, and concise materials.
• Strong organizational and administrative skills.
• Initiative and judgement to independently problem solve and prioritize.
• Ability to work independently, but also as a strong team player when needed.
• Must also demonstrate the ability to be organized and flexible in an environment that requires continuous monitoring of priorities.
• Additional requirements include enthusiasm for working in a fast-paced environment; exceptional attention to detail and ability to multi-task, prioritize, and meet deadlines.
• Keeping up with emerging issues in research administration and rapidly changing technology to meet both internal and external OSP needs; participating in systems demos, training, and discussions, and participating in local user groups; engaging in using new technology as it is available at Brown; working to apply and adapt operational and functional standards to new development tools and techniques.
• Ability to prioritize and balance multiple tasks in a deadline driven environment while providing proactive customer service and maintenance of workflow throughout grant management system development, implementation, and deployment.
• Understand the nature of and interpret the terms and conditions of awards from our sponsors, and University policies such that project objectives can be accomplished while maintaining accountability to sponsors and compliance with university policies.
• Effective decision making when reviewing expenditure transactions to determine if allocable, allowable, and reasonable by interpreting award terms and conditions, University policy and procedures, and generally accepted accounting principles.
• Effectively manage cash through monthly billing to sponsors and diligently follow up on accounts receivable aging reports.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with university or academic medical center or non-profit organizations a plus.
• Award management application systems experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Reviewing and processing awards, including interpreting, and ensuring compliance with award terms and conditions
• Rendering decisions regarding sponsored project issues
• Budget management
• Expenditure review
• Financial reporting
• Cash management
• All other award management activities, including participation in training, special projects, and systems development
• Review, interpret and disseminate University and sponsor policies for a variety of issues ranging from cost allowability to reporting requirements
• Effectively articulate these policies to internal and external constituencies including Faculty, Departmental Administrators, and the Division of the Vice President for Research
• Serves as a mentor and resource to junior staff members

Benefits

• Brown University offers a flexible work/life balance; summer hours, winter break and a comprehensive Benefits package including time off, annual paid holidays; benefits offerings including health, dental, vision, tuition assistance, retirement, wellness, employee discounts and more.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees