Grants Accountant

Grants Accountant

Controller's Office

Elevate Your Career at UCCS: Innovate, Inspire, and Impact in the Rockies!

  Who We Are

The University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) is a premier educational institution that prides itself on academic excellence, research, and community engagement and is actively seeking a Grants Accountant to join our team! UCCS offers a diverse and inclusive learning environment that fosters innovation, growth, and the holistic development of its students. The work location for this position has on-site, hybrid and fully remote options available. This position is Exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) overtime provisions.

  At the base of the Rocky Mountains, Colorado Springs is captivated by its stunning landscapes, making it a paradise for nature lovers. This city is more than its scenery—a mosaic of history, arts, and a vibrant tech scene. We invite you to join a community that cherishes outdoor adventure as much as forward-thinking growth, an exceptional setting for both career and lifestyle.

Salary Range: $53,698 - $61,589 annually Compensation will be commensurate upon experience and qualifications.

Benefits at a Glance

At UCCS, our employees are our most valued asset. We're proud to offer:

• Generous Time Off : Enjoy 22 vacation days, 10 sick days, paid parental leave, 13 recognized holidays, and provisions for bereavement, jury duty, and FAMLI Leave.
• Robust Health Coverage : Our comprehensive medical plans cover preventative care at no cost, including a yearly mental health visit. Plus, benefit from affordable dental, vision plans, and competitive prescription drug prices.
• Financial & Retirement Benefits : Take advantage of our health savings, flexible spending accounts, and life and disability insurance. Plan for your future with our retirement options.
• Further Your Education : Avail nine waived credits per academic year for courses at any CU campus. We invest in your educational and professional growth.
• Wellness & More : From wellness programs aimed at achieving your best self to various additional benefits through CU Advantage, we prioritize well-being and holistic development.
• Want to know your total compensation? Use our calculator to get the complete picture!

  Summary

The Grants Accountant provides post award service to university departments. The primary function of this position is the post award financial function. Including, but not limited to, establishment of project set up including budget and financial aspects, ensuring expenditures are allowable, budget adjustments are within awarding agency guidelines, all expenses are invoiced, and payments received, maintaining accurate financial data, financial reports are timely and accurate, effort reporting, and project closeout. The projects are to be managed in accordance with federal, state, and funding agency regulations as well as the University of Colorado Colorado Springs policies and procedures. This position must exhibit complete ownership for assigned accounts within their portfolio, and recommend improvements to systems, policies, and procedures.

Essential Functions

The duties and responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to:

• Set-ups of new projects in the PeopleSoft sponsored projects module to include verifying the appropriate budget lines used in PeopleSoft for sponsored projects by analyzing the terms and conditions of the approved agreement or contract.
• Performs updates and maintenance of project information regarding sponsored projects in PeopleSoft.
• Prepares sponsored projects billing, ensuring billing meets the sponsor’s requirements in delivery, attachments, and approved expenditures.
• Follows the accounting process and billing guidelines to be used for Federal agencies, State of Colorado Departments, and other sponsoring agencies.
• The design of special forms or schedules may be required using Excel or Word.
• Assembles and displays invoicing information and reports costs to the sponsors. The process often involves working with the principal investigator and the department administrator on special billing conditions and supplementary information requested.
• Determines if expenditures posted to a project are allowable costs under the terms of the agreement, university policy and procedures, and 2 CFR Part 200 Cost Principles Also determines what action to take if questioned costs are discovered. This requires working with the principal investigator, the department research administrator and sponsor, as appropriate.
• Determines and assigns attributes such as funding source, revenue type, expense purpose, cost center, billing types, and others based on knowledge of how these codes will affect reporting, billing, and monitoring of the grants or contracts.
• Responsible for the debt collection on projects within their portfolio. Minimize any current bad debt by monitoring the aging report and sending out late notices in accordance with Sponsored Projects Accounting procedures.
• Corresponds with the sponsor when delinquent payments are greater than 60 days past due.
• Establish and monitor any cost sharing or matching in PeopleSoft based on the requirements of the sponsored project.
• Accumulates data and prepares a variety of financial reports to sponsors. This includes preparation of specialized financial status reports submitted to Federal, State, local agencies, and private sponsors.
• Must be competent in using the electronic reporting systems unique to the various agencies and must compile statistical data and financial information from system-generated and ad hoc reports, as required by Federal, State, local, and other sponsoring organizations.
• Perform project close-out procedures by analyzing financial data to ensure the project has conformed to terms and conditions of the award and is not in an overrun situation. If corrections are necessary, responsible for notifying individuals of needed corrections that are allowable within the terms and conditions, then monitors for correctness.
• Communicate and follow-up with departments and/or faculty members on outstanding issues that pertain to the FFR submission or invoice and closing processes.
• Maintain documentation on correspondence with departments and sponsoring agencies.
• This position contributes to educating new PI’s, department research administrators, and any other interested parties in sponsored project rules and regulations. Training includes and is not limited to the 2 CFR Part 200, and the university’s policies and procedures.
• Approves journal entries, requisitions, capital equipment purchases, and PET’s related to sponsored projects.
• The person in this position is responsible for auditing compliance including monitoring and auditing projects for compliance with 2 CFR Part 200 and the sponsor’s restrictions. Also includes auditing for allowable and nonallowable expenditures, applicable State and Federal rules and University of Colorado policies, accounting procedures, and other specific requirements for the project.
• Maintains detailed files.
• Responds to university-wide inquiries regarding specific expenditures, interpretation of financial reports, effort reporting, including other questions.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of the regulatory and legal framework and vast compliance rules affecting federal and non-federal sponsored research agreements.
• Interpret external agency guidelines and provide advice to administrators and faculty regarding the allowability and allocability of direct costs to grants, contracts, and sub-agreements.
• Collaborates with the Office of Sponsored Programs and Research Integrity on extensions and contract specifics.
• Performs other duties, as required. 

Tentative Search Timeline

• Priority will be given to applications submitted by 3/24/2024
• Potential interview dates: 3/26/2024 - 4/5/2024
• Potential start date: 5/1/2024

UCCS is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

Under the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, UCCS does not discriminate based on sex in our employment or compensation practices.

UCCS is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify our office at [email protected] .

Minimum Requirements:

• Requires a bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.(3 years of professional accounting or finance work experience may substitute for a non-accounting bachelor’s degree.)
• Experience in a professional role.
• Experience with generally accepted accounting principles.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Post-award finance and compliance experience with sponsored projects.
• Experience utilizing the PeopleSoft grant module.
• Proficient in PeopleSoft Query.
• Proficient in Excel.
• Understanding and application of principles, concepts, and practices of various accounting fields such as financial accounting, accounting informational systems, and cost accounting.
• Knowledge of higher education accounting principles and how they apply to the various fund groups.
• Comprehensive knowledge and analysis of 2 CFR.

Physical Requirements:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to move or sit depending on the needs of the day. Tasks may involve using a computer continuously for long periods of time. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.