POSITION IDENTIFICATION
TITLE Director, Grants and Capital Projects Accounting
CLASSIFICATION NUMBER 4063
GRADE 47
CLASSIFICATION Exempt
IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR Assistant Vice President Finance and Accounting
GENERAL FUNCTION
The Director, Grants and Capital Projects Accounting supervises and performs professional accounting and administrative work necessary to maintain the financial accounting records for the University’s grants and contracts, capital projects, and fixed assets. The Director, Grants and Capital Projects Accounting assists the Assistant Vice President Finance and Accounting in capital budget approval and general accounting analysis activities. The Director, Grants and Capital Projects Accounting supervises accounting professionals and works with academic and administrative staff and internal and independent auditors to ensure adherence to prescribed accounting principles, standards, and procedures. The Director, Grants and Capital Projects Accounting reviews federal financial regulations and proposes University policy changes based on regulations to assure compliance.
MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Education: A Bachelor’s in Accounting or a related business field with at least twenty hours of coursework in Accounting is required; a Master’s degree in Accounting or a related business field with at least twenty hours of coursework in Accounting is preferred.
Experience: At least five years of experience in accounting, business planning or operations, or financial analysis is required; three years of experience working with grants and contracts accounting is preferred.
Certification: Certification as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) is preferred.
Skills: A high aptitude in accountancy and a good understanding of computers and programs, such as Excel, and their functions in accounting is required. The ability to understand, interpret, and apply accounting principles as well as rules and regulations in grant proposals that apply to financial information is required. The ability to work and communicate effectively with individuals possessing varying levels of accounting and budgeting knowledge is required. The ability to develop knowledge of, respect for, and skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds is required.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Oversees and provides fiscal management of assigned grants and contracts, including compliance with federal and state regulations, account reconciliations, and journal entries.2. Prepares and oversees the preparation of the financial reports needed for grants and contracts by compiling, researching, and analyzing data regarding the expenditures of the grants and contracts.
3. Assists grant writers in the preparation of the grant application and the administration of grant monies by interpreting and applying the policies and procedures of the University and the granting agencies.
4. Ensures efficient administrative processes by monitoring the expenditures of federal programs such as Pell and the National Science Foundation grants.
5. Improves cash flow by assuring timely billing of grant and contract receivables.
6. Monitors externally sponsored grants and contracts by reviewing or assuring the review of the daily and monthly financial transactions within these accounts and making accounting corrections as appropriate.
7. Approves (or confirms the appropriateness of) expenditures of externally sponsored grants and contracts in accordance with federal, state, institutional, or other agency guidelines.
8. Develops efficient processes by working closely with the Office of Research Administration.
9. Provides financial management of capital project funds, including providing revenue projections and trend analysis, funding determination, and cash flow and funding analysis.
10. Reconciles University Plant and Auxiliary funds, prepares required bond compliance documentation for IRS compliance, and reconciles bond funds in asset holding accounts for annual review.
11. Works with the Assistant Vice President Finance and Accounting and Vice President of Administrative and Financial Services on bond issues and prepares required bond compliance documentation for capital projects.
12. Maintains the fixed asset system, performs annual depreciation determination, reviews asset valuation, assists in purchases and disposals, monitors internal controls, oversees accurate general ledger coding of asset purchases, and assures accurate reporting of capital asset activity.
13. Acts as a liaison between Financial Services, the Office of Planning, Design & Construction, Provost, Foundation, and various University departments to ensure accurate board reporting for capital projects.
14. Promotes University compliance with federal and state law and regulations by maintaining a current working knowledge of federal and state regulations, reviewing University policies and procedures, and making recommendations for policy and procedure changes to assure compliance.
15. Assists in the establishment of system-wide policies and procedures which ensure that resources are used in the most effective and efficient manner by all campuses of the University.
16. Serves on various University committees as assigned.
17. Prepares audit work papers for internal, external, and agency auditors by researching and analyzing financial activity of externally sponsored grants and contracts, and capital projects.
18. Coordinates reporting for a variety of needs.
19. Facilitates a work environment that encourages knowledge of, respect for, and development of skills to engage with those of other cultures and backgrounds.
20. Remains competent and current through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, and attending professional development courses as required by the Assistant Vice President Finance and Accounting.
21. Contributes to the overall success of Financial Services by performing all other duties as assigned, maintaining high levels of accuracy, maintaining a professional demeanor and appropriate levels of confidentiality, and providing excellent customer services.
SUPERVISION
The Director, Grants and Capital Projects Accounting is supervised by the Assistant Vice President Finance and Accounting and supervises accounting professionals, clerical staff, graduate assistants, students, and part-time employees.
OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES
REVISED MARCH 2023