Budget Analyst II, Office of Sponsored Programs

The Office of Sponsored Programs invites applications for a Budget Analyst II. This position maintains grant fund compliance with University, state, federal, and sponsor regulations; and possesses a thorough knowledge of sponsored program administration rules and regulations. The position maintains a high level of autonomy, developing and maintaining expertise in post-award administration and providing insight directly to researchers and department administrators. This position may also implement and perform trainings in these competencies for the units to which they are assigned. These units will rely on the sponsored programs professional to guide post award administration in accordance with federal regulations and sponsor guidance. OSP will further rely on this position to gather materials in preparation for audits.

Through fulfilling a number of accounting and billing functions, this role will also be integral to maintaining integrity and compliance within the campus financial system as well as ensuring the university is properly reimbursed for research expenditures. The positions is will be responsible for preparing budgets per federal, state, University, and sponsor regulations and requirements; work with faculty to achieve project goals while maintaining compliance; perform professional accounting in grants and contracts; write and negotiate contracts and subcontracts; and, review, approve, and analyze accounting data.



Required Skills

• Experience with university research administration or related experience.
• Proven ability to independently prepare budgets per federal, state, University, and sponsor regulations and requirements; perform professional accounting in grants and contracts; write and negotiate contracts and subcontracts; and, review, approve, and analyze accounting data.
• Demonstrated proficiency in using a calculator and a personal computer equipped with MS Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, Banner, Adobe Acrobat, internet, and able to learn numerous sponsor electronic submission and reporting platforms.
• Must be organized, efficient, able to multi-task, self-motivated, and able to work independently and effectively at a variety of complex tasks with little supervision.

• Ability to perform activities as required for the successful submission/oversight as required for life-cycle (pre- and post-award) administration of sponsored projects.
• Knowledge of budget preparation, expense categories, salary calculation, and F&A application and recovery.
• Knowledge of federal regulations, including cost accounting standards, and ability to review a completed proposal prior to institutional approval and endorsement.
• Knowledge of University, state, federal, and other requirements for sponsored program administration, and appropriate forms and correspondence.
• Ability to assist researchers to achieve project goals within sponsor regulations.
• Knowledge of contractual language to institutionally review and negotiate awards and sub-awards.
• Knowledge of sponsor policies regarding allowable costs and ability to revise budgets under sponsor authority, applying pertinent federal regulations to monitor, track, and analyze account expenditures to assure proper administrative accountability.
• Knowledge of federal requirements, State accounting system, and University fund accounting.
• Knowledge of account codes to correctly assign to comply with University and sponsor requirements and the correct F&A basis and rate for accurate set up in Banner.
• Ability to analyze, interpret, and consistently apply rules and regulations, and seek advice when needed to assist researchers and staff in accomplishing sponsored project goals within applicable policy limitations (sponsor, University, State, federal).
• Ability to utilize thorough knowledge of federal, state, and private grant regulations, contract stipulations, internal policies, and generally-accepted accounting principles to monitor, approve, and analyze the preparation and timely processing of all requisite accounting data necessary to record both revenue and expenditures of funds.
• Ability to assure compliance with grant restrictions, ensuring accounting information is provided in a manner to enhance the performance of the project director.
• Ability to effect recovery of allowable F&A as specified for the performance of the project for each situation, both for the purpose of maximizing F&A recoveries and to honor pre-existing, contracted rates with sponsors.
• Ability to ensure the University is consistent and fair in its dealings with external sponsors.
• Ability to review expenditures to confirm expenses are allowable per sponsor policies.
• Ability to interpret sponsor regulations and communicate to project director and departmental staff as needed. Reconcile monthly financial statements to ensure accuracy and allowability.
• Ability to review sub-recipient invoices and process payments.
• Ability to monitor cost share requirements via effort reports, University matching documentation, third-party documentation.
• Ability to record, track, and report cost share to sponsor as required.
• Demonstrate proficiency in collections.
• Ability to prepare and certify timely financial reports per sponsor terms and conditions.
• Ability to ensure all contractual requirements are met throughout the life of the award and close-out.
• Knowledge of MS Access databases and possess the ability to query, create, and run reports as required.
• Ability to assist in record keeping and retention. Able to consistently prepare, organize, and maintain proposal and project files.
• Possess the ability to work with other team members to handle special projects as assigned.

Minimum Required Experience

• High school diploma (or equivalency) in addition to three (3) years of closely related experience; or any combination of experience and education that provides the competencies necessary to successfully discharge the duties and responsibilities assigned to the position.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in pre-award and/or post-award financial grant management
• Experience in job-costing or tracking project-specific costs
• Experience in developing and maintaining excel workbooks to track actual costs and expense projections to budget
• Software experience in Banner, Grizmart, Uapprove, UMDW, and/or QuickBooks Pro
• Experience in governmental or grant accounting
• Knowledge of University fund accounting and account codes to comply with University and sponsor requirements, and Montana Board of Regents’ policies.
• College degree with an emphasis in Accounting

About the Office of Sponsored Programs, UM , and Missoula

The Office of Sponsored Programs assists the University community in obtaining and administering external funding for research, instruction, and public services activities and protects institutional eligibility for such funding by ensuring that all sponsored projects comply with University grant-related policies, as well as federal, state, and sponsor regulations.

The University of Montana is a unit of the Montana University System with over 10,000 students. It is located in Missoula, a culturally vibrant community of about 72,000, surrounded by mountain grandeur which was recently ranked in the “ top 20 best college towns with a population of less than 250,000 ” by the American Institute for Economic Research and ranked 9th in Outside Magazine’s “ The 16 Greatest Places to Live in America” in 2014 . Many national publications recognize Missoula for its high quality of life . Abundant recreational opportunities in surrounding state and national forests and nearby Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park complement a thriving intellectual atmosphere. The University of Montana offers eligible employees a generous benefits package that positively separates UM from other local employers and offers many programs and policies to support work-life balance for its employees.

The University of Montana is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and has a strong institutional commitment to the principle of diversity in all areas. In that spirit, we are particularly interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of qualified people who would assist the University in demonstrating its five priorities for action : Place student success at the center of all we do; drive excellence and innovation in teaching, learning, and research; embody the principle of “mission first, people always"; partner with place; and proudly tell the UM story.

To learn more about the University of Montana, Missoula, and the State of Montana, please visit the links below.

• University of Montana
• Video: UM Lifestyles
• University Highlights
• City of Missoula
• Video: There's This Place
• Destination Missoula
• Missoula Area Chamber of Commerce
• The State of Montana
• Visit Montana

Position Details

Position Title: Budget Analyst II

Position Number: 002950

Department: Office of Sponsored Programs

Work Schedule: Full-time, 1.0 FTE (40 Hours a week), Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, 12 months/year

Salary: $18.876/hr – For questions and details regarding the staff compensation plan, email the Compensation Department .

Union Affiliation: FOCUS - MFPE

Probationary Period: Six months minimum

Benefits Include : Insurance package, mandatory retirement plan, partial tuition waiver, and wellness program.

Criminal Background Investigation is required prior to the Offer of Employment In accordance with University regulations, finalists for this position will be subject to criminal background investigations. ADA/EOE/AA/Veteran's Preference Reasonable accommodations are provided in the hiring process for persons with disabilities. For example, this material is available in alternative format upon request. As an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, we encourage applications from minorities, veterans, and women. Qualified candidates may request veterans’ or disabilities preference in accordance with state law. References: References not listed on the application materials may be contacted; notice may be provided to the applicant. Testing: Individual hiring departments at UM may elect to administer pre-employment tests, which are relevant to essential job functions. Employment Eligibility: All New Employees must be eligible and show employment eligibility verification by the first date of employment at UM, as legally required (e.g., Form I-9).

How to Apply

Application Deadline: Thursday, February 4, 2021 by 11:59 PM (Mountain Time)

Candidates are required to submit the following materials online via "New Resume/CV" button below

A complete application Includes:

1. Letter of Interest – addressing your qualifications and experience related to the stated required skills for the position.
2. Detailed Resume – listing education and describing work experience.
3. Professional References – names and contact information for three (3) professional references.

Need additional help? Check out our UM Jobs FAQ website.

Job Location Missoula, Montana, United States
Position Type Full-Time/Regular