Senior Grants Accounting Analyst
About The Position
The Senior Grants Accounting Analyst performs advanced post-award financial administration for sponsored projects, ensuring the integrity, accuracy, and compliance of sponsored award financial activity. This role leads complex reconciliations, prepares sponsor financial reports, analyzes award performance, and supports month-end and year-end close activities. The Senior Analyst interprets sponsor requirements, resolves discrepancies, and provides financial insights to program leadership, research administration, and finance leadership. The role contributes to audit preparation, internal control improvements, and process optimization across sponsored programs accounting. The Senior Grants Accounting Analyst operates with broad decision-making authority, minimal supervision, and serves as a technical resource for Grants Accounting Analysts and departmental stakeholders.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field.
- 5 years of progressive experience in sponsored program accounting, research financial administration, grant accounting, or other related accounting experience.
- Advanced knowledge of GAAP, grant accounting principles, and sponsor compliance requirements.
- Ability to prepare and review complex journal entries, reconciliations, and financial reports with exceptional accuracy.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to interpret financial data, identify variances, and recommend corrective actions.
- Proficiency with ERP/accounting systems and advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, lookups, modeling).
- Effective communication skills to collaborate with program teams, research administration, auditors, and leadership.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities, lead complex tasks, and operate with minimal supervision in a deadline-driven environment.
- Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and commitment to maintaining data integrity.
Nice To Haves
- Master’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field.
- CPA - Certified Public Accountant - State of Pennsylvania
Responsibilities
- Performs advanced post-award accounting activities throughout the sponsored award lifecycle, including complex award setup, financial reporting, billing, collections, cash application, and award closeout.
- Prepares, reviews, and analyzes sponsor financial reports, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and compliance with sponsor terms, Uniform Guidance, and institutional policies.
- Leads month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close activities related to sponsored awards, including preparation and review of journal entries, accruals, indirect cost calculations, and account reconciliations.
- Conducts detailed variance analysis, identifies drivers of discrepancies, and recommends practical resolutions to program teams and leadership.
- Reviews and maintains sponsored award transactions and financial records; ensures proper coding, documentation, and adherence to internal controls.
- Monitors billing, collections, and receivable aging; performs advanced research to resolve complex issues related to invoices, payments, and sponsor compliance.
- Utilizes ERP systems and reporting tools to analyze financial data, maintain data integrity, and support operational and management reporting needs.
- Supports internal and external audits by preparing complex schedules, providing supporting documentation, and responding to auditor inquiries related to sponsored award activity.
- Contributes to process improvement initiatives to enhance reporting accuracy, streamline workflows, and strengthen internal controls.
- Serves as a technical resource to Grants Accounting Analysts and departmental administrators; provides guidance on sponsor requirements, accounting treatment, and system functionality.
- Interacts with co-workers, visitors, and other staff consistent with the values of Jefferson.
Benefits
- medical (including prescription)
- supplemental insurance
- dental
- vision
- life and AD&D insurance
- short- and long-term disability
- flexible spending accounts
- retirement plans
- tuition assistance
- voluntary benefits
- tuition discounts at Thomas Jefferson University after one year of full time service or two years of part time service
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
