PAY GRADE: 29E

CONTEXT OF THE JOB:

The Center for Composite Materials (CCM), a soft-funded research center within the College of Engineering, has annual research expenses of more than $15M that is derived entirely from external sources, including grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts. Federal projects range in size from single investigator to large multi-year programs ($5M/yr.) that involve financial managing of many university and industry subcontractors as well as large industrial sponsored contracts. The mission of the Center is to 1) conduct basic and applied research, 2) educate scientists and engineers, and 3) transition technology to industry.

Under the general direction of the Business Administrator II, the Accountant provides financial reporting for the post-award award administration of externally funded sponsored programs and other restricted funds to ensure compliance with governing federal, state, sponsor, UD requirements and generally accepted accounting principles.

This position serves as a key resource providing guidance, oversight and support to faculty, researchers and staff relating to the post-award activities of assigned sponsored programs. The incumbent is expected to foster collaborative relationships with stakeholders and exhibit a strong commitment to customer service and excellence.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop and maintain complex excel spreadsheets for monthly reconciliation and projection planning, and establish electronic records.
• Ensure accurate and timely monthly financial reporting, including monthly reconciliation of Center's sponsored accounts (~$15M annually), service agreements, and Center operating and discretionary accounts.
• Utilize appropriate general ledger/project reports, queries, and other tools to effectively monitor, control and accurately report revenues and expenditures of awards as required to comply with requirements of funding sponsor/agency and University.
• Review outstanding transactions and encumbrances and resolve issues.
• Analyze revenue and expenditure trends and make corrective action recommendations to Financial Analyst II and/or other CCM Principal Investigators.
• On a monthly basis, review and reconcile statements to ensure compliance in areas of unallowable charges and prepare journal voucher adjustments as needed.
• Assist Business Administrator II and Financial Analyst II with complex analysis and financial projections.
• Monitor sponsored and departmental budgets compared with actual expenditures.
• Monitor and assist with required specialized sponsor financial reporting.
• Facilitate monthly face-to-face meetings with Principal Investigators, Financial Analyst II and Business Administrator II and prepare required reports.
• Keep Financial Analyst II and Business Administrator II informed of potential problematic areas; Escalate critical issues in a timely manner to avoid compliance risks or penalties.
• Process all UD Exchange orders over $5,000, ensuring competitive bids and/or sole source justification are provided. Review for legitimacy, accuracy and allowability of charges in compliance with Uniform Guidance, sponsor terms and conditions, and University policies/guidelines. 
• Review equipment expenditures and ensure that fabrication expenses are tracked and capitalization occurs.
• Co-monitor accounts receivables for assigned awards with the Research Office’s cash management team during lifecycle of award. Coordinate with appropriate stakeholders the receipt of any outstanding documentation or address open issues when payments are being withheld.
• Complete contract/grant closeouts in accordance with Uniform Guidance, sponsor terms and conditions, and University policies/guidelines.
• Analyze and approve post-close entries, investigate, and resolve questionable items.
• Demonstrate a willingness and flexibility in performing new tasks, responsibilities, and special projects.
• Perform other job-related tasks as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, accounting, finance, or a related field with three years job-related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.  
• Experience with PeopleSoft and various sponsor databases query writing and report generation using a variety of data sources.
• Effective analytical and technical skills, including the use of financial management systems, relational databases, spreadsheets, and word-processing software programs.
• Skill in budget preparation and management of contracts and grants.
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
• Knowledge of federal grant post-award administration, financial accounting principles, Uniform Guidance 2 CFR 200, OMB Circulars A-21, A-110, A-133, Cost Accounting Standards and GAAP.
• Ability to analyze budgetary expenditures for compliance with approved policies and procedures.
• Ability to work independently, strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Ability to interpret, adapt and apply guidelines and procedures.
• Ability to gather and analyze statistical data and generate ad-hoc reports that are meaningful and understandable to those not familiar with the data being reported.
• Skills to quantify and illustrate complex reports, comparisons, impacts, and/or projections, includes but not limited to proficiency with spreadsheet, database, and word processing.
• Knowledge of University of Delaware processing systems is preferred.