Research Accountant

University of Wisconsin Milwaukee•Milwaukee, WI

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, the role is a primary College financial resource for principal investigators (PIs), supporting day-to-day financial management of sponsored-project portfolios throughout the post-award lifecycle. The position monitors project financial activity; prepares budget-to-actual reports, projections, and other analyses; helps PIs develop spending plans; monitors payroll and other commitments; prepares or initiates accounting transactions and corrections; and supports effort reporting and related financial requirements. The position works closely with PIs, the Divisional Finance Officer, College leadership, departmental personnel, and the UWM Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP). It serves as the College-side financial partner to PIs while maintaining separation from OSP’s institutional oversight, review, approval, and other responsibilities. The Research Accountant also collaborates with the CEAS College Accountant and is cross-trained in general College accounting to provide backup support and continuity of financial operations.

Requirements

Associate degree or higher in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
At least two years of 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 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 without 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 of experience with post-award financial management of sponsored projects, including budget monitoring, financial reporting, projections, expenditure review, or account reconciliation.
Two years of experience with sponsored-project accounting activities such as payroll accounting, effort reporting, costing allocations, cost transfers, journal entries, or other financial adjustments.
Two years of 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 for an assigned portfolio of sponsored projects.
Review and reconcile project expenditures, budgets, balances, commitments, and other financial activity.
Prepare budget-to-actual and other financial reports for PIs, and develop expenditure projections and forecasts through project periods.
Meet with and advise PIs about balances, spending plans, projected results, and potential financial issues.
Monitor for deficits, unspent balances, unexpected expenditures, budget variances, approaching end dates, and other issues; coordinate solutions with appropriate personnel.
Assist with financial planning for rebudgeting, no-cost extensions, carryforward, cost sharing, and other post-award actions, coordinating with OSP as appropriate.
Support sponsored-project closeout by reviewing accounts, identifying outstanding transactions or corrections, and coordinating necessary actions.
Prepare, initiate, and monitor journal entries, cost transfers, costing allocations, payroll accounting adjustments, and other sponsored-project accounting corrections.
Review sponsored-project transactions for appropriate funding, accounting classification, documentation, and consistency with University and sponsor requirements.
Monitor sponsored-project payroll against approved budgets, anticipated effort, project periods, and available funding; establish or update costing allocations and coordinate payroll adjustments as needed.
Support effort reporting and related financial processes, including identifying discrepancies between payroll distributions and anticipated or certified effort.
Monitor and document cost-share commitments and maintain supporting documentation for financial transactions and adjustments.
Research and resolve accounting discrepancies and financial-system issues affecting sponsored projects.
Explain financial reports, balances, projections, accounting transactions, payroll activity, and relevant University processes to PIs and College personnel.
Collaborate with OSP Grant Accountants and central University offices; coordinate College-initiated actions that require central review, approval, or institutional action.
Respond to financial-information and supporting-documentation requests related to sponsored-project reviews and audits; identify potential compliance concerns and elevate them appropriately.
Develop guidance, tools, or training materials to help PIs and College personnel manage sponsored-project finances.
Cross-train with the CEAS College Accountant and provide backup for general College accounting, reporting, reconciliations, journal entries, costing allocations, payroll adjustments, and budget monitoring.
Participate in financial initiatives, system implementations, process improvements, and special projects; perform other assigned accounting, budgeting, and financial-management duties.