Sponsored Projects Accountant

Title: Sponsored Projects Accountant

Employee Classification: Sponsored Projects Accountant

Campus: University of North Texas - Dallas

Division: DAL-Enrollment Mgmt & Student Aff

SubDivision-Department: DAL-Finance Operations

Department: DAL-Sponsored Projects Accounting-531000

Job Location: Dallas

Salary: Commensurate with experience

FTE: 1.000000

Retirement Eligibility: TRS Eligible

About Us - Values Overview

Department Summary

The Sponsored Projects Accounting office manages the financial post-award activities of the University's externally funded grants and contracts. Sponsored Projects Accounting ensures compliance with applicable federal, state and local laws, University Policies and Procedures, as well as, those of the sponsoring organizations.

Position Overview

The accountant is responsible for approving direct charges to Sponsored Projects to ensure accuracy and compliance. Other duties include effort reporting, reconciliations, accounts receivable functions, preparing invoices and special reports for Sponsored Projects and University Advancement funds according to the terms and conditions of the funding agencies. In addition, the accountant will clear budget errors, process journal entries and set up projects in PeopleSoft. The accountant will communicate requirements and procedures to Principal Investigators and administrative staff. The position is responsible for having a thorough knowledge of accepted accounting practices, legal statutes, policy and procedures affecting financial record keeping, a thorough knowledge of cost and audit accounting, ability to work accurately with numeric detail to perform accounting operations legibly and the ability to analyze, consolidate, and present accounting data in a clear concise form. The position should be knowledgeable of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Uniform Guidance, sponsor’s regulations and University of North Texas Dallas’ (UNTD) Policy and Procedures or able to rapidly assimilate.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance or related field and three (3) years of professional related experience in accounting; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Considerable knowledge of OMB Uniform Guidance and sponsor regulations.
• Considerable knowledge of (or ability to rapidly assimilate and retain) University operating procedures, and policies.
• High level math/accounting skills, strong reading comprehension skills, ability to interpret guidelines and instruction.
• Considerable knowledge of electronic information systems and accounting systems.
• Ability to read and analyze fiscal management information and to assist in formulating solutions to problems.
• Ability to communicate effectively (verbally and in writing). A strong customer service orientation is essential.
• Self-starter with the ability to work independently with minimal supervision and collaboratively within a team environment.
• Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to be resourceful, proactive, and seek assistance as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in Grant and Contract Accounting including Effort reporting
• Experience using PeopleSoft, Queries and Financial Reporting
• Experience working in Higher Education
• Customer Service Experience

Job Duties

• Review awards and complete project set up in PeopleSoft. 
• Approve expenditures, process cost transfer journals and review new awards for budget restrictions. 
• Prepare invoices in PeopleSoft, cash draws and/or reports in accordance with sponsor guidelines to be reviewed by the Director.
• Prepare deposits and apply payments for sponsored projects to be approved by the Director.
• Accurately prepare and submit a variety of interim and final financial reports as required by external sponsor or auditors under the direction of the Director, Sponsored Projects Accounting. 
• Generate, review, distribute and collect labor reports in accordance to UNT Dallas policy including reconciles labor costs to general ledger and makes coding corrections as appropriate
• Assists with audits; both internal and external. 
• Review awards (audit check) for accuracy of data and comparison of actual expenditures vs budgeted expectations to ensure closeouts are processed timely. Followup with PI near end of project for items that appear to be missing from expenditures compared with budgeted expectations. 
• Perform month end and year end close processes in PeopleSoft grants module. 
• Assist in creating, monitoring and updating financial related policies and procedures. 
• Answer inquiries, counsel Principal Investigator (PI) and administrative staff on budget change needs, allowable and allocable charges, documentation requirements, policies and procedures. 
• Remains current on issues in field of research administration to serve as a campus expert and mitigate risk campuswide, including highrisk areas of research administration. 
• Develops and delivers campuswide training on a wide array of research administration topics to ensure compliance with federal/state policy changes and develop tools and forms for enhancing work flow.
• Fully participates in system implementations, testing and business process changes. 
• Reconcile accounts on a monthly, quarterly or annual basis as needed. 
• Provide backup assistance to team members. 
• Assist on special projects and other duties as assigned. 

Physical Requirements

• Sedentary work that primarily involves sitting/standing.
• Communicating with others to exchange information.

Environmental Hazards

• No adverse environmental conditions expected.

Work Schedule

8 am to 5 pm Monday-Friday

Driving University Vehicle

No

Security Sensitive

This is a Security Sensitive Position.

Special Instructions

Applicants must submit a minimum of two professional references as part of their application. If needed, additional references can be added after the application has been submitted. 

Benefits

For information regarding our Benefits, click here.

EEO Statement

The University of North Texas System is firmly committed to equal opportunity and does not permit –and takes actions to prevent – discrimination, harassment (including sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking), and retaliation on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status in its application, employment practices, and facilities; nor permits race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, veteran status, or sex discrimination and harassment in its admissions processes, and educational programs and activities. UNT System Administration promptly investigates complaints of discrimination, harassment, and related retaliation and takes remedial action when appropriate. System Administration also takes actions to prevent retaliation against individuals who oppose any form of harassment or discriminatory practice, file a charge or report, or testify, assist, or participate in a related investigation or proceeding.