Department Summary:

The Office of Sponsored Programs Administration and Research Compliance (SPARC) provides Drake University’s faculty, staff and students with comprehensive guidance and support in their pursuit and conduct of research and scholarly activities.

SPARC works collaboratively with the research community to assist them in advancing Drake’s mission of teaching, research and scholarship and provides them with the highest customer service and technical expertise.

SPARC provides assistance in five primary areas: Pre-Award, Post-Award, Research Compliance, and Research/Grant training.

Job Summary:

The Senior Grants Accountant is responsible for all post-award financial administration of grants and contracts for the university. The position must maintain a working knowledge of government regulations for grants and will work closely with faculty to ensure compliance to those regulations.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree

• Experience working with foundations and/or federal grant agencies

• Experience working in higher education

• Experience in accounting or grant accounting

• Excellent interpersonal skills, customer service and communication skills.

• Ability to manage numerous simultaneous projects

Preferred Qualifications:

• Degree in Finance or Accounting

• Workday experience

Job Duties:

• 30% - Responsible for all post-award financial administration of grants and contracts. Maintains a working knowledge of ever-changing government cost principals and administrative regulations for grants, assuring compliance and accountability with federal, state, and private grant regulations and policies of Drake University. 
• 15% - Consults with Principal Investigators on post-award issues such as applicable regulations, equipment purchases, subcontract administration, extensions, re-budgeting, F&A, and cost share requirements. 
• 10% - Reviews all contracts, awards, budgets, and agreements for grants.
• 10% - Ensures that all financial reports are prepared and submitted to management and governmental (sponsoring) agencies as required, including external invoicing, cash draws, Audit Schedules, and required reports.
• 10% - Supervises and coordinates duties with Grants Accountant. 
• 5% - Train Principal Investigators and/or their staff in post-award grant procedures and Federal, State and Private Granting regulations.
• 5% - Establishes general ledger numbers and budgets. Monitors all post-award expenses and income, including in-kind/match, personnel, and equipment inventory.
• 5% - Calculates Facilities & Administration (indirect) cost rate and Benefits Rate for submission to the federal government. 
• 5% - Provides oversight to ensure compliance with time and effort reporting. 

Salary and Benefits:

The salary will be commensurate with experience and qualifications of the selected candidate. At Drake, we are proud to offer our employees, their spouses, and eligible dependents a comprehensive benefits package, which includes a wide range of core benefits, perks, and discounts. If you are exploring a job with Drake University, we invite you to spend a little time with our Drake Benefits Guide 2026. One of our popular policies provides a tuition waiver for Drake employees, their spouses, and eligible dependents. Drake also participates in not one, but two tuition exchange programs available to dependent children. Tuition Benefits