Contracts and Grants Accountant III

Unleash YOUR Potential With Us

As a next-generation public research institute and Forbes-ranked top employer in Florida, we are an inclusive community of thinkers, doers, creators, innovators, healers, and leaders striving to shape the future and solve the world’s most challenging problems. No matter what your role is, when you join Knight Nation, you’ll play an integral role in pushing us forward to become among the most impactful universities in the country. You’ll be met with opportunities to connect and collaborate with uniquely talented faculty, staff, and students across 13 colleges and multiple campuses and regional locations. That means greater challenges to tackle, more meaningful opportunities to grow, and rewarding experiences that go beyond a paycheck. We’re seeking qualified, motivated individuals who will help UCF fulfill its mission in unleashing the potential of every individual, enriching the human experience through inclusion, discovery, and innovation; and propelling broad-based prosperity for the many communities we serve.

The Opportunity:

The Contracts and Grants Accountant III supervises a team responsible for post-award administration of sponsored projects for the entire university. The team supervised is responsible for sponsored programs, university-level financial reporting, and monitoring activities. This position has extensive interaction with deans, faculty, and their administrative personnel; multiple program units in the Office of Research; and Federal, State, and private agencies. Duties include direct supervision of post-award staff; strong analytical and critical thinking skills; and knowledge of Federal, State, and University rules and regulations, as well as Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). This position reports to the Manager, Sponsored Programs (Post Award).

Responsibilities:

• Supervise and assist accounting staff to ensure: accurate, efficient, and timely award/mod processing, pre/post-expenditure reviews, and sub-award monitoring; cost share obligations are properly documented; revenue and expenses are properly classified; and reviews are per sponsor terms, Federal and State regulations, and University policies and procedures.

• Work with each direct report to establish goals and objectives for each year. Monitor and provide timely feedback on progress to enhance their professional development. Prepare and deliver annual performance appraisals following University procedures and deadlines. Identify training and development needs. Provide training to new and existing staff as needed.

• Interpret and implement post-award policies and financial compliance regarding sponsored research projects as required by federal regulations in 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles and Audit Requirements, sponsor terms and conditions, State of Florida statutes, and University of Central Florida policies.

• Review the completeness and accuracy of calculations and journal entries associated with the assessment and distribution of overhead, as assigned. Prepare and/or review other routine and non-routine journal entries related to departments and projects in contract and grant (C&G) funds.

• Proactive engagement in discussions and meets regularly with principal investigators, research administrators, and Office of Research (OR) award administrators about collection efforts, over-expenditures, financial closeouts, and other matters related to contract and grant compliance. 

• Respond to inquiries from principal investigators, research administrators, OR award administrators, and awarding agencies regarding the treatment of routine and non-routine accounting transactions, financial reports, and compliance/ contractual issues. Develop rapport and maintain solid lines of communication to ensure a continuous flow of information.

• Prepare reconciliations, closing entries, schedules, and reports for annual audit (i.e. AR/Deferred Revenue, Overhead, Statement of Expenditure of Federal Awards (SEFA), etc.). Prepare work papers that are complete, technically accurate, and organized to facilitate an efficient review. Responsible for other periodic reporting, such as Grad Research Fellowship and Post Doc Reports.

• Perform analysis and review of C&G financial activity to ensure the accuracy of financial statement reporting. Ensure the University’s compliance with GAAP and Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS).

• Extract and analyze data from research administration and financial databases.  Provide guidance, assistance, and feedback on data corrections and system updates. Report findings to Management.

• Collect, analyze, and concisely summarize accounting information to prepare internal financial reports for executive management on a regular and ad hoc basis.

• Run queries and extract meaningful information from the general ledger and sub-ledgers.

• Assist supervisor in responding to internal inquiries from upper management and university audit and audit inquiries from the Auditor General’s Office or C&G sponsors.

• Assist in the development of policies. Develop and update business process documentation. Regularly evaluate business processes and make recommendations that meet the needs of the university and achieve the most efficient use of resources. Participate in the implementation of effective solutions.

• Serve as backup to peers and direct reports when necessary.

• Other duties and special projects as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree and 4+ years of relevant experience. Or an equivalent combination of education and experience pursuant to Fla. Stat. 112.219(6)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Accounting or Finance degree.

• Master’s degree.

• Experience with Microsoft Excel.

• Experience in financial reporting, billing, or non-profit environment. Exposure to federal billing and related OMB Circulars is a plus.

• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, and the ability to effectively interact with senior management and individuals with varying degrees of financial knowledge.

• Experience with Workday or a similar ERP.

Special Instructions to the Applicants:

Hybrid work schedule or remote work within the state of Florida may be considered based upon specific circumstances and candidate qualifications.

If you are selected as the final candidate for an employment opportunity here at UCF, both your position and salary will be significantly based upon the information that you have provided in your application for employment. We urge you to please take the time to complete the application in its entirety.

Are Benefits Important to You?

Working at UCF has its perks!  In addition to helping drive change and having a positive impact by supporting our students, staff, and faculty, UCF offers:

• Benefit packages, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending, and Employee Assistance Program

• Paid time off, including annual and sick leave and paid holidays

• Retirement savings options

• Employee discounts, including tickets to many Orlando attractions

• Education assistance

• Flexible work environment

• And more…For more benefits information, go to the UCF Employee Benefits page click here .

Who Are We?

Founded in 1963 to fuel the region’s talent pipeline and support the growing U.S. space program, UCF is built to make a better future for our students and society. It’s one of the reasons U.S. News & World Report ranks UCF among the nation’s top 20 most innovative colleges, while Forbes, Kiplinger, and The Princeton Review rank us a best-value university. UCF is one of 14 universities nationwide designated as both a Hispanic-Serving Institution and a Research 1 university. With 13 colleges, including a fully accredited College of Medicine, UCF offers more than 220-degree programs between its main campus, downtown campus, hospitality campus, academic health sciences campus, and 11 UCF Connect centers located throughout the region. In addition, UCF extends its reach to communities in and beyond Central Florida by offering complete, online programs leading to bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, Ph.D.’s., certificates, and more.

Unless explicitly stated on the job posting, it is UCF’s expectation that an employee of UCF will reside in Florida as of the date the employment begins.

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Department

Office of Research – Operations

Work Schedule

Monday – Friday; 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Schedule may vary as required. Overtime and/or weekend work may be required during year-end closing or special projects.

Type of Appointment

Regular

Expected Salary

$64,518.00 to Negotiable

Job Posting End Date

02-27-2024-12-00-AM

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

The University of Central Florida is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer including Disabled/Vets.  Click on UCF’s Equal Opportunity Statement to view the President’s Statement.

The UCF affirmative action plans for qualified individuals with disabilities and protected Veterans are available for inspection in the Office of Institutional Equity, Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., upon request.

As a Florida public university, UCF makes all application materials and selection procedures available to the public upon request. 

The University of Central Florida is proud to be a smoke-free campus and an E-Verify employer.