Research Accountant

Universities of Wisconsin • Milwaukee, WI

3d • $75,000 - $80,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Research Accountant provides College-level post-award financial management and accounting support for sponsored projects within the College of Engineering & Applied Science (CEAS). Reporting to the Divisional Finance Officer, this position serves as a primary College financial resource for principal investigators (PIs), assisting faculty with the day-to-day financial management of their sponsored-project portfolios throughout the post-award lifecycle.

The Research Accountant proactively monitors sponsored-project financial activity; prepares budget-to-actual reports, projections, and other financial analyses; assists PIs in developing spending plans; monitors payroll and other commitments; prepares or initiates costing allocations, payroll accounting adjustments, cost transfers, journal entries, and other accounting corrections; and supports effort reporting and other sponsored-project financial requirements.

The position works closely with PIs, the Divisional Finance Officer, College leadership, departmental personnel, and the UWM Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP). The Research Accountant serves as the College-side financial partner to PIs while maintaining an appropriate separation between College financial management and the institutional oversight, review, approval, and other responsibilities performed by OSP.

This position works collaboratively with the CEAS College Accountant and is cross-trained in general College accounting functions to provide backup support and ensure continuity of financial operations.

Requirements

• Associate degree or higher in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• At least two years professional experience in accounting, budgeting, financial management, sponsored-project administration, or a related area.
• At least one year of experience preparing, reviewing, or analyzing financial reports and financial data
• Knowledge of accounting principles and practices applicable to sponsored-project financial management.
• Ability to analyze grant expenditures, budgets, payroll, commitments, and other financial information and develop accurate financial projections.
• Ability to identify financial or compliance concerns and determine when issues require consultation or escalation.
• Ability to prepare accurate reconciliations, accounting adjustments, financial reports, and supporting documentation.
• Ability to interpret and apply sponsor requirements and University financial policies and procedures.
• Ability to explain complex financial information clearly to faculty and others who may not have an accounting background.
• Ability to establish collaborative working relationships with PIs, College leadership, departmental personnel, OSP, and other University offices.
• Strong attention to detail, analytical ability, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to independently manage a portfolio of sponsored projects and multiple competing deadlines.
• Strong customer-service and interpersonal skills.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Two years’ experience with post-award financial management of sponsored projects, including activities such as budget monitoring, financial reporting, projections, expenditure review, or account reconciliation.
• Two years’ experience with accounting activities related to sponsored projects, such as payroll accounting, effort reporting, costing allocations, cost transfers, journal entries, or other financial adjustments.
• Two years’ Experience providing financial guidance, budget analysis, or financial reporting directly to faculty, principal investigators, project directors, or similar stakeholders.
• Certified Research Administrator (CRA) credential.

Responsibilities

• Provide proactive post-award financial management support for an assigned portfolio of sponsored projects.
• Regularly review and reconcile sponsored-project expenditures, budgets, balances, commitments, and other financial activity.
• Prepare and provide PIs with recurring budget-to-actual reports and other financial reports that clearly communicate the financial status of their awards.
• Develop projections and forecasts of sponsored-project expenditures through the project period, including anticipated salary, fringe benefits, student support, supplies, equipment, subawards, and other commitments.
• Meet with and advise PIs regarding available balances, spending plans, projected financial results, and potential financial issues.
• Monitor sponsored projects for deficits, unspent balances, unexpected expenditures, budget variances, approaching project end dates, and other issues requiring attention.
• Identify financial concerns proactively and work with PIs, the Divisional Finance Officer, OSP, and other appropriate personnel to develop and implement solutions.
• Assist PIs with financial planning related to rebudgeting, no-cost extensions, carryforward, cost sharing, and other post-award actions, coordinating requests with OSP as appropriate.
• Assist with the financial aspects of sponsored-project closeout by reviewing accounts, identifying outstanding transactions or corrections, and coordinating necessary actions before project end dates.
• Prepare, initiate, and monitor accounting transactions associated with sponsored projects, including journal entries, cost transfers, costing allocations, payroll accounting adjustments, and other financial corrections.
• Review sponsored-project transactions for appropriate funding, accounting classification, documentation, and consistency with University and sponsor requirements.
• Monitor payroll charged to sponsored projects and compare payroll activity with approved budgets, anticipated effort, project periods, and available funding.
• Work with PIs and appropriate College personnel to establish and update costing allocations for faculty, staff, students, and other personnel supported by sponsored projects.
• Identify payroll discrepancies or changes requiring action and prepare or coordinate necessary payroll accounting adjustments.
• Support PIs and College personnel with effort reporting and related financial processes, including identifying discrepancies between payroll distributions and anticipated or certified effort.
• Monitor and document cost-share commitments and related financial activity when applicable.
• Maintain appropriate supporting documentation for sponsored-project financial transactions and adjustments.
• Research and resolve accounting discrepancies and financial-system issues affecting sponsored projects.
• Serve as a knowledgeable and accessible College financial resource for PIs regarding the financial management of sponsored projects.
• Explain financial reports, balances, projections, accounting transactions, payroll activity, and relevant University financial processes to PIs and other College personnel.
• Assist PIs in understanding and applying sponsor and University requirements affecting the financial management of their awards.
• Collaborate with OSP Grant Accountants and other central University offices to resolve post-award financial questions and issues.
• Coordinate College-initiated financial actions with OSP when central review, approval, or institutional action is required.
• Respond to requests for financial information and supporting documentation associated with sponsored-project reviews and audits.
• Help identify potential compliance concerns and elevate issues to the Divisional Finance Officer, OSP, or other appropriate University officials.
• Develop guidance, tools, or training materials that assist PIs and College personnel in effectively managing sponsored-project finances.
• Cross-train with the CEAS College Accountant and provide backup support for general College accounting functions, including financial reporting, reconciliations, journal entries, costing allocations, payroll accounting adjustments, and budget monitoring.
• Collaborate with the College Accountant and Divisional Finance Officer to promote consistent financial practices across sponsored and non-sponsored College funds.
• Participate in College and University financial initiatives, system implementations, process improvements, and special projects.
• Perform other accounting, budgeting, and financial management duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.
• Confidentiality of applicant materials, subject to Wisconsin's Open Records Law.
• Criminal background check required.
• Employment eligibility verification upon hire.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree