Senior Research Financial Compliance Analyst

Title: Senior Research Financial Compliance Analyst

Employee Classification: Senior Grant Accountant

Campus: University of North Texas - Health Science Center

Division: HSC-Div of Rsrch & Innovation

SubDivision-Department: HSC-Div of Rsrch & Innovation

Department: HSC-Sponsored Programs Accounting-390060

Job Location: Fort Worth

Salary: Commensurate with experience

FTE: 1.000000

Retirement Eligibility: TRS Eligible

About Us - Values Overview:

Welcome to the University of North Texas System. The UNT System includes the University of North Texas in Denton and Frisco, the University of North Texas at Dallas and UNT Dallas College of Law, and the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth. We are the only university system based exclusively in the robust Dallas-Fort Worth region. We are growing with the North Texas region, employing more than 14,000 employees, educating a record 49,000+ students across our system, and awarding nearly 12,000 degrees each year.

We are one team comprised of individuals who are committed to excellence, curiosity and innovation. We are transforming lives and creating economic opportunity through education. We champion a people-first values-based culture where We Care about each other and those we serve. We believe that we are Better Together because we foster an inclusive environment of respect, belonging, and access for all. We demonstrate Courageous Integrity through setting exceptional standards and acting in the best interest of our communities. We are encouraged to Be Curious about opportunities for learning, creating, discovering, and innovating, and are encouraged to learn from failure. Show Your Fire by joining our team and exhibiting your passion and pride in your work as part of our UNT System team.

Learn more about the UNT System and how we live our values at www.UNTSystem.edu .

Department Summary

The Office Sponsored Programs Accounting (SPA) works closely with the Office of Sponsored Programs staff under the Division of Research and Innovation to ensure financial compliance and proper accounting of externally sponsored funds, including financial reporting, award closeouts, cash management of sponsored and non-sponsored projects, audits and desk reviews, accounting period close, reconciling and validating financial information.

Position Overview

The Senior Grant Accountant is responsible for ensuring the financial integrity and compliance of research projects. This role involves managing time and effort reporting, overseeing sub-recipient invoicing, and ensuring adherence to institutional policies, federal regulations, and sponsor requirements.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field and four (4) years' of accounting, professional business administration, grant and contract administration, or research administration experience; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong knowledge of contract and grant procedures and ability to apply the accounting practices.
• Strong knowledge of principles, concepts, and theories of accounting.
• Thorough understanding of key attributes in PeopleSoft or similar Accounting System and its impact on reporting, billing, and recovering costs.
• Knowledge of research administration processes particularly post award research administration.
• Experienced with OMB Uniform Guidance, Cost Accounting Standard (CAS).
• Strong working knowledge of Excel.
• Ability to independently diagnose and solve problems using sound judgment and decision-making abilities.
• Ability to independently analyze accounting transactions and reconcile financial information.
• Strong customer service skills. Work collaboratively with different process partners.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Able to build positive working relationships with departments, various process partners in the university, and within the organization up/down/side levels.
• Act and behave in constructive manner. Be positive. Set good example for other staff.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of federal regulations (e.g., Uniform Guidance) and sponsor guidelines.

Required License/Registration/Certifications

N/A

Job Duties:

• Responsible for accurate billing, accounts receivable management and financial reporting for highly complex awards to minimize financial risk to the University, ensuring compliance to avoid fines and penalties.
• Responsible for highly complex award administration including accurate processing of cost transfers journals with a high degree of accuracy to minimize liability to the University, new award review for quality checks, assists with audits, utilizes multiple sponsor and internal electronic systems and websites, data entry, and electronic files.
• Develops and delivers complex campus-wide training on a wide array of research administration topics to ensure compliance with federal/state policy changes. Actively participate in testing of new systems and process improvement and provide feedback.
• Remains current on issues in field of research administration to serve as a campus expert and mitigate risk campus-wide, including high-risk audit areas of research administration.
• Develops and implements various financial reporting tools to ensure compliance with changes and accurate reporting to sponsoring agencies with varying levels of legal and financial risk, including development of internal controls.
• Work with Principal Investigator and Departmental Administrators on proper closeout of projects including account analysis and directing department on processing transactions required to close out sponsored project account timely.
• Ensure timely and accurate submission of sub-recipient invoices, verifying compliance with sub-award agreements and sponsor regulations.
• Review and approve sub-recipient invoices, ensuring costs are allowable, allocable, and reasonable.
• Track and monitor sub-recipient expenditures against approved budgets to ensure proper use of funds.
• Reconcile sub-recipient invoices with internal records and address any discrepancies.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for sub-recipients regarding invoicing matters, facilitating effective communication and issue resolution.
• Coordinate the preparation and submission of effort reports, ensuring timely and accurate reflection of employee time spent on various projects.
• Ensure effort reports are certified by appropriate personnel and match documented work.
• Conduct regular internal audits of effort reporting to ensure compliance with institutional policies and federal regulations.

Work Schedule:

Monday - Friday, 8 am - 5 pm

Driving University Vehicle:

No

Security Sensitive:

This is a Security Sensitive Position.

Special Instructions:

N/A

Benefits:

For information regarding our Benefits, click here .

EEO Statement:

The University of North Texas System is firmly committed to equal opportunity and does not permit -- and takes actions to prevent -- discrimination, harassment (including sexual violence) and retaliation on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status in its application and admission processes, educational programs and activities, facilities and employment practices. The University of North Texas System immediately investigates complaints of discrimination and takes remedial action when appropriate. The University of North Texas System also takes actions to prevent retaliation against individuals who oppose any form of harassment or discriminatory practice, file a charge or report, or testify, assist or participate in an investigative proceeding or hearing.