• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Bargaining Unit:
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• End Date if Temporary:
• Hours Per Week: full time
• Standard Work Schedule:
• Building:
• Salary Range: $78,000-$84,000

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Associate Director of Cash Accounting, Sponsored Projects Finance (SPF), and as a member of the SPF Letter of Credit (LOC) Team, the Senior Accountant is responsible for the cash recovery process for approximately 2,300 individual federal awards funded under individual letter of credit agreements resulting in the collection of approximately $1Billion per year.

Responsibilities

• Calculates cash drawdowns for each letter of credit federal award based on the analysis of reported expenditures per Federal regulations and University policies and budgets.
• Prepares supporting documentation for the posting of sponsored project's LOC cash receipts to the appropriate project; reconciles such payments and accounts receivable balances; coordinates LOC activity with other members of the SPF team ensuring that cash receipts are posted to individual awards on a timely basis.
• Prepares quarterly financial reports (FCTRs) as required by some Federal agencies, reconciles systems and supporting documentation between University's financial data and financial data provided by Federal agencies, prepares any proposed adjustments to the accounting system.
• Compilation of documentation for financial statements, uniform guidance and other agency audits, as needed.
• Preparation and processing of NSF annual program income reporting; preparation and compilation of the annual sponsor-driven advance funding and tracking of its subsequent draw activity; processing of Pay.gov and miscellaneous refunds as required; and associated general ledger account reconciliations.
• Works closely with other members of the SPF team, and other finance and research administration teams.
• Other special projects and duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or the equivalent, preferably in accounting.
• Minimum of three years' experience required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of research administration and/or grants management accounting is valuable but not required.

Other Requirements

• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) required.
• Comfortable working with databases, spreadsheets, pivot tables, v-lookups, IF function and computerized financial systems and external portals.
• Able to identify priorities within multiple assignments in a high-pressured, short-deadline environment with excellent accuracy, and be able to work with diplomacy and efficiency in such an environment.
• Able to demonstrate excellent organizational, analytical, critical thinking, attention to detail, high level of accuracy in work product, interpersonal, written and oral communication skills.
• Able to work well with all levels of employees, be flexible in nature, have sound judgment, willingness to learn with an open and collaborative style that encourages teamwork and cooperation beyond the immediate team to the broader organization.
• Have a passion for excellence, process improvement, customer service and commitment to exceptional quality.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.

Commitment to Diversity

Columbia University is dedicated to increasing diversity in its workforce, its student body, and its educational programs. Achieving continued academic excellence and creating a vibrant university community require nothing less. In fulfilling its mission to advance diversity at the University, Columbia seeks to hire, retain, and promote exceptionally talented individuals from diverse backgrounds.