Accountant l (Pre-Award and Post-Award Specialist)

at  North Carolina State University

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s degree with 12 credit hours of accounting coursework; or Associate’s degree in Accounting; or Associate’s degree in Business or related discipline with 12 credit hours of accounting coursework; or equivalent combination of training and experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

OTHER REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Proficiency with computerized financial programs and standard software programs.
• Must demonstrate strong computer and web-based experience, including with Microsoft Office products (i.e. Word and Excel) and Google Apps (i.e: Drive, Docs, Forms, Sheets), as well as demonstrated capabilities to use proprietary software packages and web-based financial management systems;
• Must be well organized, efficient, accurate, detail oriented and self-motivated;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and able to effectively communicate with individuals of diverse backgrounds and responsibilities;
• Ability to work independently and demonstrate a proactive, collaborative, and customer-oriented work style;
• Ability to learn processes and systems quickly and be flexible to change and organizational growth;
• Knowledge of accounting principles and practices with the ability to plan and prepare budgets;
• Ability to interpret and apply complete Federal and State fiscal regulations to analyze and correct accounting and financial problems and errors;
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with business and program personnel;
• Strong problem solving skills;
• Excellent time management skills and the ability to multi-task in a busy, fast-paced office with frequent deadlines and interruptions;
• Ability to maintain and manage accounting records of moderate variety and complexity, including preparation of financial reports;
• Must be an effective team player, willing to assist with other duties as needed.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Prefer 2+ years of university experience in Contracts and Grants management;
• Proficiency in managing grant projects and the related complexity of TEARS, cost sharing, proper documentation, and closeout of grant projects;
• Experience managing and reconciling grant accounts;
• Experience using PeopleSoft Financials and HR, PINS, RED (formally RADAR), Grants.gov, NSF Fastlane, Project Modification Request (PMR), TEARS, etc;
• Knowledgeable of university research administration (Pre and Post-Award), Cost Accounting Standards, Budget Development and Federal, State and University policies and procedures is a plus;
• Strong math and analytical skills;
• Understanding of audit requirements, fund accounting, budgeting, state and university policies and regulations;
• Knowledgeable of sponsored research process and procedures, as well as experienced in pre-award, post-award and the closeout process for sponsored research.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

The Accountant I (Pre-Award and Post-Award Specialist) will initiate and manage the Pre-award process and activities, communicate, apply and promote pre-award procedural best practices, as well as identify, collect, format, organize and process data and information that support research programs. In addition, the position will manage the sponsored program portfolios of Principle Investigators (PIs) and is responsible for timely follow-up and day-to-day financial actions as needed. The Pre-Award and Post-Award Specialist is expected to interpret agency and university requirements, policies, and practices for the PIs and provide support on new information regarding funding increments, reporting deadlines, fiscal issues, and compliance. The position will monitor accounts to ensure compliance with Cost Accounting Standards (Federal), the State of North Carolina and NC State guidelines.

Pre-Award Duties:

• Process proposals for ledger 5 (grant) projects through the Project Information and Navigation System (PINS), grants.gov, and other agency electronic submissions programs;
• Work with principal investigators on developing facets of the pre-award budgets following university and agency rules and regulations compliance;
• Review new award guidelines, procedures and regulations and coordination of the proposal submission process; serve as a liaison between PI and college, university, and/or agency during proposal submission process;
• Initiate PINS process, sponsor forms per RFP requirements, and proposal submission process;
• Serve as a liaison between Principle Investigator (PI), college, university, and agency during budget preparation and proposal submission;
• Keep up-to-date on NC State compliance rules and regulations and those of agencies/sponsors.

Post-Award Duties:

• Provide technical support to Principal Investigators (PIs) with post award administration, including no-cost extensions, re-budgets, redistributions, budget justifications, sub-contracts, closeouts, summer salary, salary release and all compliance issues within the University, Federal Government and Agency guidelines;
• Work with principal investigators on post award budget changes following university and agency rules and regulations compliance;Responsible for smaller funded C&G projects and will work closely with the Post-Award Accountant (C&G Manager) on larger and more complex C&G projects;
• Review new award guidelines, procedures, and regulations with parties involved; ability to interpret agency, federal, state and university requirements, policies, and practices and communicate this to the PIs;
• Process release time and cost share effort reporting (TEARS), ensuring proper documentation and closeout of grant projects;
• Provide post-award analysis of budgets, including monitoring and reviewing expenditures for accuracy and compliance;
• Perform post award functions related to initiating actions through the PMR system when required for the following actions on ledger 5 projects: re-budgeting, equipment acquisition, travel, no-cost extensions, pre-award account numbers, and pre-award costs; preparing online journal vouchers and interdepartmental transfers; and preparing budget projections for PIs when requested;
• Monitor accounts to ensure compliance with Cost Accounting Standards (Federal), the State of North Carolina and NCSU guidelines, federal and state guideline and sponsor terms and condition;
• Ensure budget and expenditures meet award guidelines. Daily management of all issues related to sponsored research projects;
• Complete the closeout process for ledger 5 accounts; ensure that all direct costs for projects have been accounted for and indirect costs are accurate; ensure departmental policies and procedures are followed; and obtain approval from PI and Department Head before submitting final documentation to the College;
• Attend departmental, college, and/or university meetings to obtain the latest information regarding finance or research related matters.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide office support and related administrative functions as needed;
• Serve as backup for various duties as needed;
• Work closely with the Contracts and Grants Manager on a variety of ad-hoc projects and tasks;
• Must be an efficient and effective team player, willing to assist with other duties as needed.
  Qualifications