Director of Grant Accounting

Company: The University of Iowa
Location: Iowa City
Posted on: January 16, 2020

Job Description:

Job Description:

The Director of Grant Accounting is responsible for planning, organizing, directing, and coordinating the operational and strategic activities of the Grant Accounting department. The position reports directly to the University Controller and provides overall leadership and management to the department by supervising and providing guidance to direct reports and their staff.

Key Areas of Responsibilities and Specific Job Tasks

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• Plan, direct and control the fiscal and administrative activities of the Grant Accounting department with a focus on strong compliance, continuous process improvement and following best practices.
  
  
• Advise campus units on sponsor regulations and research-specific financial compliance.
  
  
• Assist in the development of financial policies and procedures.
  
  
• Provide accurate and timely financial information to units on campus and manage processes to ensure timely and accurate financial records of post-award activities.
  
  
• Lead functional and technical staff to maintain and enhance existing grant information systems (ePost and FMS).
  
  
• Collaborate with technical support and campus customers to enhance and create robust financial reporting applications and dashboard tools.
  
  
• Oversee preparation of sponsor billing and collections activities, drawdowns of federal monies, sub-award invoice processing and related account reconciliations.
  
  
• Hire, train, develop and manage the performance of Grant Accounting staff to maintain industry and professional standards.
  
  
• Develop University-wide financial training and professional development programs for research administrators across campus.
  
  
• Plan and organize recurring meetings with Research Administrator's (RAM), Post-Award Advisory Committee, and Division of Sponsored Programs (DSP) to maintain good communications and strong relationships with campus customers & colleagues.
  
  
• Represent the University in peer constituent groups (Big 10 Sponsored Programs, COGR, NCURA, FDP, etc.).
  
  
• Assure that University policies, procedures, practices and programs are in compliance with federal, state and local legal/regulatory standards.
  
  
• Assist in the coordination of federal audits of sponsored projects and serve as primary liaison to the Office of the Auditor of State for the federal audit.
  
  
  
  About the Grant Accounting Department
  
  The Grant Accounting Office is responsible for the post award administration of externally sponsored projects. This includes establishing new accounts to allow spending, maintaining grant information systems, collecting funds from sponsors, processing invoices to pay sub-awardees, monitoring and advising on sponsor regulations and fiscal allowability, preparing and submitting financial reports for sponsors, distributing monthly financial statements, providing training on post-award administration, responding to audit requests, and coordinating effort certification.
  
  The University of Iowa
  
  The University of Iowa is one of the nation's premier public research universities, with 11 colleges offering internationally recognized programs in disciplines ranging from otolaryngology to fiction writing, printmaking to space science, hydraulic engineering to dance. Iowa draws nearly 33,000 students from more than 100 countries and all 50 U.S. states, and employs about 29,500 faculty and staff.
  
  Education Requirements
  
  A Master's degree in Business Administration, Accounting or related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience is required.
  
  Required Qualifications
  
  
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  • Comprehensive (10 years) experience, including supervisory, in a combination of the following areas: accounting, financial analysis, budgeting, and grant & contract administration.
    
    
  • Exceptional leadership, organizational, and management skills to identify, analyze and provide solutions to complex budget issues.
    
    
  • Advanced knowledge of budgeting, fund accounting, and financial management.
    
    
  • Demonstrated experience in preparing and presenting complex financial information and concepts to a wide range of audiences.
    
    
  • Extensive experience with technology including ERP systems, web applications and Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Access, Word & PowerPoint).
    
    
  • Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively and exercise a high-degree of diplomacy, discretion and collaboration in dealing with constituencies at all levels.
    
    
  • Excellent verbal & written communication skills.
    
    
  • Familiarity with GASB standards and GAAP accounting principles.
    
    
  • Demonstrated commitment to diversity and experience promoting a diverse workforce.
    
    
    
    Preferred Qualifications
    
    
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    • Experience in the development, implementation and ongoing utilization of automated financial systems and BI reporting platforms.
      
      
    • Experience in creating & communicating specifications for new systems & applications to be used by internal staff and/or campus customers.
      
      
    • Experience with the sponsored program administration at a major comprehensive research university.
      
      
      
      Application Details:
      
      Successful candidates will be subject to a criminal background check.Job openings are posted for a minimum of 14 calendar days and may be removed from posting and filled any time after the original posting period has ended.
      
      Up to 5 professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process.
      
      The University of Iowa is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, religion, associational preference, status as a qualified individual with a disability, or status as a protected veteran.
      
      
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