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Assistant Director, Post-Award Services/Accountant

Basic Position Information

Job Code: 2588

Title: Assistant Director, Post-Award Services/Accountant

Department: Research & Sponsored Programs

Essential Personnel: N

Job Family: Academic Administration

Job Sub-Family: Research

FLSA Classification: E

Job Grade: 17

Grade Min: $72,265

Grade Mid: $88,524

UHD Succession Plan: N

Criticality of Position: N/A

Career Ladder: In-Range

Campus Security Authority: Y

Screening Committee: Y

Motor Vehicle Record Check: N

Job Summary

The Assistant Director, Post-Award Services/Accountant oversees the financial and accounting administration of grants and contracts received from all grant funding sources.

Duties

  • Submits agency financial and progress reports as required by the agencies
  • Processes time and effort reports each semester and finalizes per funders' requirements.
  • Completes post-award monitoring to ensure compliance with rules and regulations, including, but not limited to, accounts receivable, invoicing, cash draw-downs, expenditures, financial reporting, cost-sharing documentation, cost transfers, voucher approvals, extensions, account close-out, indirect costs, sub-recipient monitoring, and annual audit requirements
  • Creates cost centers and budgets for new awards
  • Assists in reviewing award documents, sponsor regulations and requirements, and university policies and procedures to ensure grants and contracts are in compliance with applicable regulations
  • Creates restricted fund groups and related support cost centers; enters account modifications; lifts flags; freezes and deletes accounts
  • Provides financial and regulatory guidance to principal investigators, faculty, and departmental and college staff; assists with questions regarding expenditures and budgetary projections, sponsored project requirements, and university/agency fiscal policies and procedures; provides financial data or reports, as requested
  • Assists internal, state, or federal auditors in conducting reviews of sponsored programs
  • Participates in the implementation of training programs; prepares training materials and trains faculty, project personnel, and staff on research and sponsored programs; develops and/or recommends processes and procedures to maximize staff efficiencies
  • Manages all report timelines, as well as provides reporting updates for university communications

Marginal Duties

  • Performs all other duties as assigned

Supervisory Responsibilities

Direct Reports:

  • None

Delegation of Work:

  • N/A

Supervision Given:

  • N/A

Qualifications

Required Education:

  • Bachelor's degree in Accounting or a related field

Required Experience:

  • Minimum of five (5) years of related job experience

License/Certification:

  • None required

Preferred Qualifications

  • Certified Research Administrator

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge:

  • Knowledge of the federal, agency, state, and university policies, procedures, and guidelines for grant funding in a higher education environment; the associated trends, issue, and accepted practices

Skills:

  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills;
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

Abilities:

  • Ability to effectively communicate with a wide range of individuals and constituencies in a diverse community

Work Location and Physical Demands

Primary Work Location:

  • Works in an office environment

Physical Demands:

  • Work is normally performed in a typical interior work environment that does not subject the employee to any unpleasant elements;
  • Individuals have discretion concerning walking, standing, etc., and have minimal exposure to physical risks;
  • Must have the ability to move items of up to 15 lbs

Position Specific Competencies

Commitment to Excellence - UHD

  • Demonstrates a commitment to competently perform his/her job duties and responsibilities within established time frames.
  • Continuously strives to improve work performance.
  • Accepts responsibility for his/her commitments to the university.
  • Contributes to the success of the university by consistently providing quality results in the performance of his/her job duties and responsibilities.

Respect and Cooperation

  • Treats others with courtesy, respect, and dignity in the workplace.
  • Promotes cooperation through open and honest communications and consideration of others ideas, thoughts, and opinions.

Integrity

  • Demonstrates high ethical standards of conduct in the performance of his/her job duties and responsibilities.
  • Accepts responsibility for his/her actions.
  • Respects and complies with department and university policies, procedures, and work rules.

Proficiency

  • Possesses required job skills and knowledge.
  • Demonstrates the ability to apply those skills and knowledge to competently perform his/her job duties and assignments.

Dependability

  • Takes responsibility to accomplish job assignments within reasonable deadlines.
  • Willing to accept new projects and/or commitments.
  • Does due diligence to complete projects within specified timeframes and/or fulfill commitments.
  • Arrives to work on time prepared and ready to contribute.

Flexibility

  • Willingly adjusts to changing work assignments or conditions.
  • Open to changes in operational procedures, technology, and/or organizational structure.
  • Views changes as opportunities for learning and professional development.
  • Displays a positive attitude to encourage others.
  • Promptly responds to changes in work priorities and/or unexpected circumstances or situations.

Research and Analysis

  • Applies knowledge and skills to collect and analyze relevant data and information.
  • Assesses benefits and risks, and prepares comprehensive reports of findings.
  • Submits recommendations for management's review and evaluation.

Focus on Customer Service

  • Focuses on customer's needs and expectations. (Customers can be students, external constituents, employees, or university guests.)
  • Respectfully ascertains customer's needs and determines appropriate response.
  • Promptly responds by providing requested information, takes appropriate action, or refers customer to appropriate individual or department.
  • If further actions need to be taken, advises customers of realistic timeframes for a response to their request.
  • Follows up with customers on outstanding requests in a timely manner.
  • Tactfully explains to customers why their needs and/or expectations cannot be met if the university does not provide the requested information or services.

Computer/Automated System Proficiency

  • Proficient in the use of university applications or automated systems to perform job duties.
  • Complies with related policies, procedures, and work rules to maintain system security and data integrity.

Student Success Indirect Support

  • Contributes to student success by assisting students with anything that supports their student experience, whether directly or indirectly.
  • Helps students navigate their way through the different offices, programs, and services at the university and/or connects students with the appropriate party(ies).
  • Connects students with services or resources that can help them with career exploration, goal selection, and ongoing academic assistance.
  • Helps students build peer support networks.
  • Encourages student participation in out-of-class activities.
  • Provides encouragement and guidance to foster student success.
  • Treats students with respect
  • Maintains the learning environment to ensure quality and/or sound pedagogy.

This job description may not encompass all duties and responsibilities associated with the position.