Pay Grade/Pay Range: Minimum: $68,500 - Midpoint: $89,100 (Salaried E11)
Department/Organization: 702202 - Contract and Grant Accounting
Normal Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm
Note to Applicants: Position is eligible for hybrid work subject to University policy.
Job Summary: The Manager Contract and Grant Accounting oversees all aspects of post-award financial accounting for the Office for Contract & Grant Accounting to ensure compliance, accuracy, and strategic financial management. Provides management and supervision of CGA personnel. Develops and delivers training to various stakeholders. Interprets sponsor and University requirements. Implements continuous improvement for the department.
Additional Department Summary: The Contract & Grant Accounting (CGA) department at the University of Alabama manages all post-award accounting and financial administration of externally sponsored projects, including award set-up and management in the University’s accounting systems, cash management, general accounting functions, sponsor invoicing, reporting, audit activities, effort reporting, and compliance with federal, state, local, private, sponsor, and University rules and regulations. In the last fiscal year, CGA managed $606 million in active ongoing activities.
Theis position plays a critical role in supporting the current and future sponsored programs growth. Fosters collaborative relationships across the organization including Sponsored Programs, Compliance, Finance & Accounting, Procurement, etc. to ensure the overall long-term success of externally sponsored research and The University of Alabama (UA). Provides day-to-day financial and regulatory oversight of post-award financial activities for externally sponsored projects at UA, responsibility includes mentorship, training, and direct supervision of CGA personnel. Manages key processes including, month-end close, award set-up in the University’s accounting system, effort reporting, financial reporting, letter of credit draws, invoicing, indirect cost returns to colleges/administrative units, and project closeout. Manages key compliance processes including subrecipient risk assessments, subrecipient monitoring, and internal and external audits of sponsored projects. Supports education, outreach, and communication to CGA personnel, researchers, and staff across the University in accordance with federal regulations, University policies, and sponsor requirements. Collaborates with various University departments and offices in the administration and development of systems designed to monitor effort certification, cost sharing, and fiscal compliance issues (e.g., payroll, accounting, purchasing, and travel). Interacts with outside organizations (both prime sponsors and subrecipients). Provides advice and assistance to the Assistant Vice President for Research Finance regarding overall financial compliance by the University. Develops and maintains various reports for internal and external reporting.
Required Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's degree and six (6) years of accounting experience; OR master's degree and four (4) years of accounting experience; OR Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and four (4) years of accounting experience.
Skills and Knowledge: Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills to clearly and effectively communicate and interact with contract and grant accountants, senior leadership, Principal Investigators, administrators, auditors, and sponsors with a customer service perspective. Demonstrated ability to adapt to changing financial regulatory environment. Proficiency with enterprise resource planning (ERP) financial systems (such as PeopleSoft, Banner, Workday, Oracle, or other similar systems), accounting systems, effort reporting systems, electronic research administration systems, and Microsoft Office suite. Adaptable to changing priorities while effectively managing multiple commitments. Critical thinking and problem-solving skills to analyze complex data and develop meaningful solutions to specific problems in collaboration with colleagues. Excellent organizational skills to work with changing priorities and demanding workload, and to meet multiple and variable priorities and deadlines. In-depth knowledge of federal and state costing policies, federal uniform requirements (2 CFR 200), generally accepted accounting principles, cost allocation methods, and accounting policies and procedures in an academic environment. Proven record of collegial communication and cooperative initiatives with colleagues in sponsored programs, contracting, research compliance, finance, faculty, and administration. Proven success in directing the work of financial staff and providing effective management of significant external funding.
Preferred Qualifications: Ten (10) or more years of experience working in contract and grant accounting in a research-intensive institution of higher education. Experience managing a team in a professional, hybrid environment. Experience with Banner. Experience with ERP implementation. Seven (7) years of professional accounting, audit, and/or financial compliance experience. CRA or CFRA certification or CPA license. Experience providing leadership and mentorship to departmental staff in all aspects of post-award financial management. Evidence of collaborative work in a team environment and participation in the professional recruitment, development, and management of team members. Experience in contract and grant fiscal administration for externally sponsored funding
Background Investigation Statement: Prior to hiring, the final candidate(s) must successfully pass a pre-employment background investigation and information obtained from social media and other internet sources. A prior conviction reported as a result of the background investigation DOES NOT automatically disqualify a candidate from consideration for this position. A candidate with a prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags will receive an individualized review of the prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags before a hiring decision is made.
Equal Employment Opportunity: The University of Alabama is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity Institution. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment or volunteer status without regard to any legally protected basis and will not be discriminated against because of their protected status. Applicants and employees of this institution are protected under Federal law from discrimination on several bases. More information is available in the EEOC’s Know Your Rights: Workplace discrimination is illegal poster.
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