About the Office of Research

The Office of Research Sponsored Research Services Accounting Department (SRS) provides post-award administrative support services to all researchers for sponsored projects. We collaborate with subject matter experts in other central and school offices to offer transparent research administration services, systems, and processes. Our goal is a solution-oriented approach to help every UC researcher and minimize administrative burden.

Job Overview

We are seeking to fill a Sponsored Research Accountant (SRA) 2 or SRA Senior position. The successful candidate may be appointed to a SRA 2 or SRA Sr., based on qualifications, experience, and skills. This is a fast-paced, deadline driven environment. The candidate will need to be customer-oriented, a self-starter, well organized, able to work independently, as well as assist others and work as a team when needed. Having the ability to multi-task, logically work through problems, re-prioritize workload when needed, have excellent interpersonal skills, as well as verbal and written communication skills will help ensure success. Basic Accounting skills, Microsoft Word, and Excel is required.

Essential Functions

Sponsored Research Accountant 2

• Administer grant awards (federal, state, local, private and internal grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements) from a myriad of funding agencies. Establish and maintain grant records and files ensuring their accuracy and completeness
• Close out grant accounts by reconciling account, sample unusual transactions for compliance prepare final invoice and/or reports and ensure non-financial reports are submitted. Complete agency invoices and reports in accordance with awards terms and conditions by utilizing various systems. Pursue and report on collection of past due invoices.
• Review award notices. Create and maintain grant accounts according to the agreements, adding and modifying budgets. Request set-up of awards in Student Financial Aid System. Review and approve salary and non-salary Cost Transfers (CTR) and Cost Reallocation request. Resolve grant coding errors.
• Manage a portfolio of moderately complex awards. Serve as the principal source of information on grant policies and procedures and financial policies. Assist Sponsored Research Services Accounting leadership as required execution of special projects of moderate complexity.
• Recommend areas or approaches for process improvements and providing input to department discussions.
• Communicate with sponsors regarding invoices and collections.
• Manage the timely and accurate setup of the sponsored awards in SAP, financial reporting to the sponsoring agencies, invoicing and closeout of sponsored awards, and respective cost shares.
• Review and reconcile charges on sponsored awards.
• Review routine journal entries to ensure they are prepared in a timely fashion, accurately and accompanied with proper supporting documentation and in line with allowability requirements of the sponsored agencies.
• Complete final invoices and Financial Federal Financial Reports by the strict deadlines established by sponsors.
• Perform other assigned duties based on department need. This job description can be changed at any time.

Essential Functions - Sponsored Research Accountant Sr

• Administer grant awards (federal, state, local, private and internal grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements) from a myriad of funding agencies. Establish and maintain grant records and files ensuring their accuracy and completeness/
• Close out grant accounts by reconciling account, sample unusual transactions for compliance prepare final invoice and/or reports and ensure non-financial reports are submitted. Complete agency invoices and reports in accordance with awards terms and conditions by utilizing various systems. Pursue and report on collection of past due invoices.
• Review award notices. Create and maintain grant accounts according to the agreements, adding and modifying budgets. Request set-up of awards in Student Financial Aid System. Review and approve salary and non-salary Cost Transfers (CTR) and Cost Reallocation request. Resolve grant coding errors.
• Manage a portfolio of moderate to high complexity awards. Serve as the principal source of information on grant policies and procedures and financial policies. Assist Sponsored Research Services Accounting leadership as required, to include limited supervision responsibility in leadership’s absence, and execution of special projects of high complexity.
• Recommend and develop system-wide policies and procedures for ongoing award management. Recommend areas or approaches for process improvements and providing input to department discussions. Serve as mentor and resource to Sponsored Research Accountant 1  and 2 team members.
• May provide direct and/or indirect supervision to exempt and non-exempt staff (i.e., hiring/firing, performance evaluations, disciplinary action, approve time off, etc.).
• Communicate with sponsors regarding invoices and collections.
• Manage the timely and accurate setup of the sponsored awards in SAP, financial reporting to the sponsoring agencies, invoicing and closeout of sponsored awards, and respective cost shares.
• Review and reconcile charges on sponsored awards.
• Review routine journal entries to ensure they are prepared in a timely fashion, accurately and accompanied with proper supporting documentation and in line with allowability requirements of the sponsored agencies.
• Complete final invoices and Financial Federal Financial Reports by the strict deadlines established by sponsors.
• Perform other assigned duties based on department need. This job description can be changed at any time.

Required Education

Sponsored Research Accountant 2

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance or related field.
• Six (6) years of relevant work experience and/or other specialized training can be used in lieu of education requirement.

Sponsored Research Accountant Sr.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance or related field.
• Eight (8) years of relevant work experience and/or other specialized training can be used in lieu of education requirement.

Required Experience

Sponsored Research Accountant 2

• Two (2) years of experience in accounting, finance, grants with customer service.

Sponsored Research Accountant Sr.

• Four (4) years of experience in accounting, finance, grants with customer service.

Additional Qualifications Considered

• Possess thorough knowledge of post-award sponsored project administration, and the ability to perform all functions of the position independently.
• Familiarity with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and other federal agency supplements, the Office of Management and Budget Uniform Guidance (UG), intellectual property, export control, and technology compliance regulations.
• Understanding of SAP, Kuali, Grants.gov and other state and federal grant systems; expert proficiency in MS Office Skills, e.g., Outlook, Word, SharePoint and Excel.

Physical Requirements/Work Environment

Application Process Information

A resume and cover letter are required as part of the application process. Attach these documents before submitting your application. Failure to provide these documents may result in your application not being considered.