Director, Grants Accounting (Post Awards)

Position is responsible for managing the post awards administrative functions within the Finance department. Accountable for sponsor financial reporting, compliance with federal/sponsor requirements, support of faculty and staff within campus departments, development/implementation/enforcement of policy and procedures and education initiatives related to post-awards administration. This position is also responsible for receivable management, effective cash flow of drawdowns, internal/external reporting related to grant activities as well as forecasting and analysis of sponsored activity and preparation of annual financial reports.

Duties include:

1. Proactively manage grant fiscal and administrative issues. This includes managing the staff that identify, define and resolve potential compliance, funding, personnel and budget issues. Negotiate and defend fiscal requests with federal agencies and other sponsors. Ensure compliance with institutional and sponsor policies and regulations through review/approval of sponsor financial reports, review of proposal budgets, interactions with faculty and staff.
2. Direct the Single Audit activities including review and preparation of schedules, reports, responding to auditor inquiries, as needed, and writing the Management Response.

    

   1. Analyze the financial results of Sponsored Programs, identifying variances and funding issues, proposing solutions, and informing Senior Management and Departments. Includes forecasting of revenues and preparing statistical information and charts as requested – inclusive of quarterly financial reports. Provides expertise, consultation and financial information to management for sponsored projects annual fiscal budget included in the annual Budget Book of the University.
   2. Provide expertise and consultation to departments, central administration staff, and senior management related to regulatory and policy issues, fiscal management, and budget development. Requires incumbent to remain knowledgeable of current changes in federal regulations, OMB Circulars, and Cost Accounting Standards governing grants. Includes development of training materials for use in educating campus faculty and staff.
   3. Creates, analyzes and implements policies/procedures relative to the administration of Sponsored Projects and includes both creation and implementation. Requires continuous evaluation of current business practices as well as keeping up to date on industry best practices. Responsible for dissemination of information and respective training initiatives, both internal to the department and for the campus community.
   4. Actively pursue and supervise the implementation of new technologies and initiatives in the area of fiscal reporting and grants management. Assists in the ongoing training of processes and systems for Grants Management both internal to the department as well as the campus community.
   5. Manage the definition and resolution of potential compliance, funding, personnel and budget issues.
   6. Directs sponsored projects cash management (inclusive of invoicing), fiscal reporting, federal drawdowns and receivable balances.
   7. Provide other information, participate on cross functional project teams and university committees, perform other financial analysis as requested by senior management and any other duties as assigned.
3. Supervision:
   3 Full Time Employees classified positions, 1 Full Time Employee term appointment, up to 2 student workers
   
   Position is responsible for interpreting and complying with federal regulations, GAAP, Cost Accounting Standards and university policies and procedures. This includes decision making regarding allowability of costs, requirements for additional sponsor approvals, and decisions regarding cost sharing requirements. This position also has latitude to identify, define and resolve issues related to sponsored projects in accordance with federal and other funding agencies, university policies and procedures and regulations. Position will handle resolution matters with external sponsors over reporting and allowable costs. The Director will keep the AVP and Controller informed of issues and the solutions, as well as current technologies and regulations and consult with the AVP and Controller on difficult or unique situations.

Successful candidate must be able to demonstrate the following:

• Must have knowledge of Cost Accounting Standards; 0MB Circulars; GAAP; Experience using automated general ledger/accounting systems.
• Must be a strong written and verbal communicator with the ability to explain complex requirements/regulations to non-finance staff. Ability to work towards acceptable and compliant solution for all parties involved.
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills. Should have extensive experience in forecasting/financial projections. Position will be required to interpret and analyze complex accounting, federal and contract regulations and clauses and negotiate with external entities on resolutions as required.
• Must be able to effectively meet externally imposed deadlines.
• Must have demonstrated experience in building and working in teams. Will be required in process and system enhancement responsibilities.
• Advanced proficiency with Excel required.
• Must be proficient in various tools to import, export and format data in the creation of financial analysis and reporting. Experience with an enterprise level grants accounting/management/reporting tool required.