Grants & Contracts Accountant

Erikson Institute•Chicago, IL

17h

About The Position

Erikson Institute is seeking a highly organized, detail-oriented, and experienced grants and contracts professional to focus on budgeting for sponsored project grants and contracts. The position works with faculty, staff, and external fiscal contacts to support the efficient execution of agreements. Responsibilities span pre-award budget development and proposal coordination through post-award financial monitoring, reporting, amendments, and closeout.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, or a related field.
At least 3 years of experience in grants and contracts administration, research administration, or sponsored projects.
Strong understanding of federal funding agency regulations and grant and contract compliance requirements.
Proficiency with grants and contracts management systems and financial reporting tools.
Strong negotiation and contract drafting skills.
Excellent organizational, communication, and analytical skills.
Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.
Meticulous attention to detail and accuracy.
Strong organizational and time management skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in higher education or nonprofit grant management.

Responsibilities

Review and coordinate preparation and submission of grant and contract budgets and budget narratives, including proposed sub-awards.
Coordinate IT requirements with the IT Team to determine budget needs supporting proposal narratives.
Ensure budget proposals comply with partner guidelines, Institute policies, finance requirements, and federal regulations.
Work with principal investigators to develop budgets and accurate financial projections, including effort projections.
Review and propose modifications to contract terms and conditions for secondary review by the Associate Director of OSPR Business Operations.
Serve as a contact for fiscal matters with funding partners’ primary fiscal contacts.
Monitor budgets and expenditures for compliance with funding partner regulations.
Collaborate with finance and research teams to process invoices, reimbursements, and effort reporting.
Ensure timely submission of financial reports to funding agencies in coordination with narrative reporting.
Work with Project Managers on regular budget reconciliations, including effort, to ensure accuracy and identify discrepancies.
Assist with grant or contract modifications, amendments, extensions, and closeout processes.
Apply federal regulations, including Uniform Guidance, and policies to ensure compliance.