Position Details
Position Information
| Requisition Number |
S4361P |
| Home Org Name |
Contracts & Grants Accounting |
| Division Name |
VP for Research and Economic Dev |
| Position Title |
Contracts & Grants Accounting Manager |
| Job Class Code |
ka21 |
| Appointment Status |
Full-time |
| Part-time FTE |
|
| Limited Term |
No |
| Limited Term Length |
|
| Job Summary |
Join Auburn University as a Contracts & Grant Accounting Manager!
Are you looking for an opportunity to play a key role in supporting groundbreaking research and innovation? Auburn University's Office of the Sr. Vice President of Research and Economic Development is seeking a
Contracts & Grant Accounting Manager to join our team!
In this role, you'll oversee daily financial post-award functions for Sponsored Research, Sponsored Instruction, and Other Sponsored Activities. You'll also provide critical support to Auburn's research mission, ensuring compliance with federal regulations, state laws, and university policies while working alongside a dedicated team in Contracts & Grants Accounting (
CGA).
If you thrive in a dynamic environment and are passionate about research administration, we encourage you to apply and become part of Auburn's commitment to excellence in research and economic development!
Auburn University
is more than just an institution; it's a vibrant community where real people come together to make a difference. Our commitment to students, employees, communities, and our world runs deep, and it's reflected in every corner of our campus and beyond.
Life-Changing Impact: At Auburn, our work changes lives. Whether it's groundbreaking research, innovative teaching, administrative operations or community outreach, every effort contributes to positive change. We're not just clocking in; we're making a lasting difference in the lives of others.
How We Support You: Auburn cares for its greatest assets-its employees. Generous benefits, educational opportunities, and a supportive work environment make it a place where you can thrive. From health insurance to retirement plans, we've got you covered. Learn more about how we support employees by visiting aub.ie/working-at-auburn
Come and Stay: The median length of employment for an Auburn employee is
10 years. That's because Auburn invests in its people. We're not a revolving door; we're a family. The Auburn Family. We grow together, learn together, and build lasting relationships.
A Place for Everyone: We are committed to fostering an environment where everyone feels valued and respected, and we celebrate our unique perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences. When you work at Auburn, you're a part of a rich tapestry of individuals who bring their authentic selves to the table to create a welcoming and engaging university community. |
| Essential Functions |
- Plans, organizes, directs, and monitors completion of the work of the team's professional staff to facilitate the effective and efficient management of awards in the team's portfolio. Provides on-going training, discussion, feedback, and problem-solving leadership to team members. Contributes significantly to hiring and pay recommendations and independently evaluates and prepares annual performance documents. Reviews and monitors the activities of the staff and addresses efficiencies and productivity. Identifies staff training and development needs and seeks opportunities and resources to meet the needs.
- Performs detailed financial analysis for sponsored projects and cost share accounts. Submits financial reports in accordance with terms of the sponsored agreements for internal use and/or external agencies (e.g. sponsors, government). Assumes responsibility for the most complex awards assigned to the team. Obtains secure, user-restricted access to multiple external sponsor billing platforms which are solely accessed by CGA.
- Reviews all terms and conditions, including non-financial sections, of new sponsored agreements to ensure CGA has the information needed to satisfy financial reporting and compliance requirements. Creates and enters into Banner all necessary sponsored, cost share, third party, or program income FOPs as dictated by agreement packages. Ensure that all data elements in Banner are accurate and reliable for internal, external, and regulatory reporting.
- Reviews documentation and analyzes detailed transaction data for compliance with University policies and procedures, legal and cost accounting standards, federal and state regulations, and other applicable guidelines. Also monitors and communicates changes to sponsor financial compliance or reporting requirements, identifies potential risk areas, and makes decisions in order to mitigate risks of non-compliance.
- Conducts reviews to substantiate individual transactions and, with oversight from the CGA Director, works with external and internal auditors on annual or scheduled audits. Processes adjusting entries or refunds when necessary. Reviews transactions for conformity with procedures or limitations. Updates Banner records for expired awards. Communicates with stakeholders regarding additional support needed for audit of transactions or closeout of awards, actions required by the responsible unit, and potential risks to the University of non-compliance.
- Provides advanced-level training, support, and/or guidance to other positions on campus responsible for sponsored projects and financial administration including, but not limited to, federal regulations, university business processes & forms, university policies & procedures, navigating the multiple offices involving research administration, project or sponsor-specific requirements, limitations or restrictions, and general Q&A.
- Recommends and implements improvements to accounting practices, systems, and procedures. Seeks input from their team at the recommendation phase and during implementation to ensure changes are efficient and effective for all stakeholders. Provides input during the pre-award phase for matters regarding billing/reporting terms and costing/budgeting as requested.
- Assists in the management of awards by coordinating and processing change orders, time extensions, budget reallocations, and monitoring and reporting from inception to close-out. Communicates the importance of and ensures the consistency of adherence to university processes, data collection requirements, and sponsor guidelines and reviews, investigates, and corrects errors and inconsistencies in financial entries, budget forms, documents, and reports. Frequently interacts with departmental, college, or central offices and relevant staff to obtain or clarify information to allow for timely award processing.
- Reviews cost transfers for expired funds to ensure alignment with project period and final invoice amount. Communicates with departmental staff to ensure sound and compliant award management at the local level.
- Ensures the consistency of and adherence to guidelines and reviews, investigates, and corrects errors and inconsistencies in financial entries, documents, reports, and Banner records. Determines and communicates changes that are required to satisfy financial reporting requirements, accounting standards, university reporting to unit or senior leadership, or regulatory mandates.
- Receives escalated problems from within the team and represents the team in discussions with sponsors, internal colleagues, and/or senior management. Serves as liaison or primary point of contact for sponsors to resolve financial reporting questions or concerns, collaborating with responsible campus units where necessary for resolution. Communicates timely with staff regarding sponsor concerns and resolutions found.
- Other duties as assigned.
|
Minimum Qualifications
| Minimum Qualifications |
- Bachelor's Degree - Degree in Accounting, Finance or a Degree plus a CPA, MBA, CIA, CFE, CME or formally recognized professional finance or accounting designation.
- 5 years of Experience in accounting services. Preferred experience in accounting services involving post-award and sponsored research activities.
|
Minimum Skills, License, and Certifications
| Minimum Skills and Abilities |
- Knowledge of accounting and budget principles & practices, university policies & procedures, governing regulations (e.g. federal, sponsor, state, public law), and the analysis of financial data.
- Strong knowledge of contract and grant procedures and ability to apply policies and accounting practices.
- Ability to independently diagnose and determine the proper channel of contact using sound judgment. Ability to make decision, provide guidance and directions staff to follow.
- Skilled to independently analyze complex accounting transactions and interpret agreements with difficult restrictions using various tools.
- Excellent customer service skills.
- Working collaboratively with different process partners, departments, within the organization to achieve best possible outcomes.
|
| Minimum Technology Skills |
|
| Minimum License and Certifications |
None Required. |
Desired Qualifications
| Desired Qualifications |
- Experience in Higher Education
- Working knowledge of Auburn University policies and procedures
|
Posting Detail Information
| Salary Range |
$70,830-$127,490 |
| Job Category |
Business/Accounting/Finance |
| Working Hours if Non-Traditional |
|
| City position is located in: |
Auburn |
| State position is located: |
AL |
| List any hazardous conditions or physical demands required by this position |
|
| Posting Date |
03/27/2025 |
| Closing Date |
|
| Equal Opportunity Compliance Statement |
It is our policy to provide equal employment and education opportunities for all individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other classification protected by applicable law. The Office of Equal Opportunity Compliance (
EOC) strives to ensure an inclusive and equitable working, living, and learning environment for members of the Auburn University community. Please visit their
website to learn more. |
| Special Instructions to Applicants |
provide 3 references |
| Quick Link for Internal Postings |
https://www.auemployment.com/postings/52094 |
|
Auburn
$70,830-$127,490
Mar 27, 2025