Research Accountant I

Position Title: SPFAC: Research Accountant I

Department: 6600|SPFAC

Responsibilities:

Department: 6600/ Sponsored Programs Finance Administration & Compliance (SPFAC)

Department Overview
The Office of Sponsored Programs Finance Administration and Compliance (SPFAC) at UL Lafayette provides post award management and financial oversight, while ensuring compliance with federal regulations and adherence to state and university policies, for all externally funded research and sponsored activities.

Position Summary
This position will perform a variety of accounting activities in accordance with accounting principles and standards to control the organization’s financial resources and ensure that it complies with all relevant regulations, laws and reporting requirements.

Under general supervision of the Manager of Research Accounting, the Research Accountant will provide professional-level administrative and fiscal support within a post- award sponsored project accounting environment and be responsible for proactively managing the associated function. The Research Accountant will be responsible for the budgetary and financial management and administration of extramural contracts, grants, cooperative agreements and gifts from a wide variety of funding sources and all university generated research funds and cost share commitments.

The Research Accountant provides input in developing processes for the Department, and provides budgetary analysis and innovative solutions to diverse types of problems and situations by applying university, state, federal, and private sector policies and procedures. The Research Accountant also ensures that costs to a research fund are reasonable, allowable and allocable under all cost principles.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Prepare account reconciliations, post related adjustments, and investigate and resolve variances.
  Record revenue adjustments, internal cash balance transfers, expenditure transfers, inter-agency transfers, and other periodic journal entries.
• Analyze research grant expenditure activity on a monthly basis and update the Principle Investigators.
• Provide accounting support for off-cycle reporting by reviewing financial information, interpreting data, and assembling backup documentation.
• Review and adjust funds or accounts such as cash or federal funds. Prepare complex journal entries, salary expense transfers, and record composite entries.
• Adjust to changing needs of University operations or needs to provide specialized or individualized reports.
• Monitors awards for compliance with University, state, and federal rules and regulations, and any sponsor-imposed restrictions.
• Investigates and prepares appropriate transactions to correct errors. Acts as a liaison between PIs and the University to communicate and resolve any issues that arise concerning expenditures.
• Communicates with sponsor, or department to request clarification, additional information, or alterations
  Verifies that all proper payments were applied to the project.Closes budget.
• Refunds sponsor if necessary based on award terms and conditions.
• Transfers residual funds into the appropriate residual project as necessary.
• Sends final invoice after verifying final expenditure figure with department and Principle Investigator.
• Informs the department of open encumbrances and confirms that all encumbrances have been cleared.
• Alters the status of a myriad of functional applications within the financial system.
• Generates final Departmental Ledger.
• Capture, track, and report revenue and expenses; determine appropriate procedures for accounting record preparation, research of transactions and reporting.
• Oversee, reconcile, and resolve problems relative to complicated accounts.
• Proactively manage sponsored projects and awards for specific Colleges to ensure accurate and timely completion of financial reports in compliance with sponsor guidelines, University policies, and GAAP.
• Evaluate cost sharing commitments and ensure that sponsored projects are appropriately recognizing commitments in accordance with University and sponsor guidelines.
• Monitor Subcontractor invoicing and reporting, key Personnel levels of effort and review/reconcile project expenditures for compliance with Uniform Guidelines and sponsor regulations.
• Research and evaluate new or changed accounting principles and practices.
• Participate in process data testing as new financial system functionality is released.
• Conduct internal audits on a yearly basis to ensure compliance with applicable policies and procedures.
• Collaborate with fellow employees on improving compliance and efficiency within the accounting department through new policies, procedures, and technological solutions.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• 
  Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or related field.
• Official college transcript.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize a heavy workload.
• Ability to use discretion and good judgment when handling confidential information.
• Demonstrates competence in the use of spreadsheet.
• This is an entry position and “on the job” training will be provided.

Job Ad# (req2134)