Research Accountant II

Rice University•Houston, TX

13h•$61,000 - $69,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Rice360 Institute for Global Health Technologies (Rice360), a multidisciplinary institute at Rice University, is a leader in global health technology education, research, and implementation, with a distinctive focus on experiential and problem-based learning. Rice360 develops highly effective, low-cost healthcare solutions addressing critical healthcare needs in underserved communities and educates a cadre of future leaders to continue to innovate and implement solutions. Rice360 works closely with partners in underserved communities throughout the world, including low- and middle-income countries and the United States. Rice360 offers award-winning experiential education programs, including a Global Health Technologies Minor, international internships, and Global Health Technologies post-baccalaureate fellowships. Program participants engage directly in the design, fabrication, evaluation, deployment, and global scaling of innovative new technologies. Rice360 works closely with partners in underserved communities throughout the world, including low- and middle-income countries and the United States. Rice360 collaborators can be found within Rice University, the Texas Medical Center, and other educational and medical institutions in the U.S. and across the globe. Rice360 has staff permanently located in Blantyre, Malawi; Nairobi, Kenya; Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; and Lagos, Nigeria, who support in-country education and research partnerships. Working under the supervision of the Director of Finance and Operations, the Research Accountant II is responsible for the day-to-day maintenance of complete and accurate financial records for the Rice360 Institute for Global Health Technologies. This includes: Assisting in the management and tracking of gift, grant, and institutional funds Reviewing and processing all financial documents to ensure that expenses follow university and sponsor guidelines and that sufficient funds are available on the appropriate fund Reconciling departmental records with the university accounting system Preparing detailed accounting reports and financial projections Please note: This position is posted as “Research Accountant II” for recruitment purposes; however, the official title for the selected candidate will be “Rice360 Senior Research Accountant.”

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree
2+ years of experience in grant-funded research budget oversight, expenditure tracking, and analysis
In lieu of the experience requirement, additional related education—above and beyond what is required—may be substituted on an equivalent year-for-year basis
Advanced knowledge of contract and grant procedures and the ability to apply accounting practices
Advanced knowledge of accounting principles, concepts, and analysis of accounting transactions
Advanced knowledge of Uniform Guidance and Cost Accounting Standards
Advanced working knowledge of Excel
Ability to independently diagnose and solve problems using sound judgment and decision-making abilities
Strong customer service skills
Ability to work collaboratively with different process partners
Excellent oral and written communication skills

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree or higher in accounting, business administration, finance, or a related field
Related experience in research budget oversight in a higher education academic, government entity, or not-for-profit setting
Prior experience working with Rice University financial systems (e.g. Banner, iO)
Ability to work under deadlines with flexibility, tact, good judgment, discretion, and initiative
Strong project management skills with ability to prepare materials and clearly and effectively communicate information
Demonstrate support for Rice360 Core Values: Innovation, Equity, Community, Integrity, Accountability, Empowerment and Transformation

Responsibilities

Assisting in the management and tracking of gift, grant, and institutional funds
Reviewing and processing all financial documents to ensure that expenses follow university and sponsor guidelines and that sufficient funds are available on the appropriate fund
Reconciling departmental records with the university accounting system
Preparing detailed accounting reports and financial projections
Reviews and interprets legal documents for financial terms and conditions
Reviews account setup in financial systems to ensure financial terms are recorded with appropriate key attributes
Clarifies financial terms and ensures correct account setup to ensure compliance
Prepares financial reports
Coordinates and works with Sponsored Projects and Research Compliance senior management, institutional representatives, and administrators to set up account structures for complex programs/centers
Monitors sponsored project activity—including cost overruns, cost sharing, and unallowable/administrative expenses—throughout the project lifecycle to ensure compliance
Performs reconciliation and overall analysis of expenditures and final award closeouts for assigned departments or sponsor award ranges
Interprets complex university and government policies
Serves as liaison between the university, sponsors, and department staff
Completes other duties as assigned
Performs highly analytical, complex finance and control functions; conducts multidimensional and complex reconciliations and related analysis; prepares, reviews, and approves complex transactions and higher-dollar-value transactions
Develops complex budget and forecasting scenarios, long-range planning, and analyses for financial reporting and presentations; designs and runs ad hoc reports
Recommends and develops solutions that may require policy changes or the development of new processes; maintains broader organizational and university perspectives in decision-making
Manages the compliance program for the area of responsibility
Leads and executes unit or cross-functional projects and teams, making decisions regarding projects and programs affecting operational effectiveness, policies, or processes
Engages in continuous critical analysis of existing systems and processes; makes recommendations to achieve greater efficiencies and improve internal controls
Defines requirements, develops and implements complex test cases, performs testing, and analyzes results
Leads and supports unit and organizational strategy and change management initiatives
Represents the organization to client groups and external partners; serves as a subject matter expert on matters involving complex technical, financial, or subject matter expertise
Assesses client and business needs and formulates recommendations to determine approaches to managing and completing processes