Grants & Contracts Accountant

The K20 Center is a diverse network of school, university and community partners who cultivate innovation, generate research, and positively influence education worldwide. K20 is recognized for transforming learning with a focus on diversity, authenticity, technology innovation, and collaboration. Our mission is to advance leadership and learning through authentic experiences, educational resources, technology integration, college and career readiness, and community connections that innovate and transform education. To find out more about the K20 Center, click here. 

What’s in it for you: On top of your salary, you will have access to a generous benefits package that includes: 

• 14 holidays each year and 18 – 22 hours of earned PTO per month. 
• Insurance plans for you and your family 
• Retirement options that require no contributions from the employee 
• And much more! For a list of OU’s benefits, click here. 

What will you do: We are seeking a Grants & Contracts Accountant to forward our mission. This position will play a crucial role by providing accuracy in budget development, financial reporting, and maintaining financial records for sponsored research programs. 

Essential Job Duties & Functions:

• Manages general accounting operations, monitors the budget, acts as the liaison between the K20 Center and other university, state, and federal agencies, oversees sponsored programs financial reporting, and maintains records.  
• Manages general accounting operations including overall supervision and direction of accounting staff. Ensures accurate and timely processing of accounting data to the accounting systems. Provides direction to the accounting staff. Provides oversight to accounting staff in determining proper accounting classification and entries. 
• Prepares comparative historical funding and expenditure reports. 
• Inputs, reviews, and distributes various accounting data to departments and stakeholders. 
• Assists in comprehensive reviews of budgets. 
• Assists in maintenance and updating of budget development file. 
• Formats and processes various budget documents for distribution and publication. 
• Assists in budget preparation. 
• Provides accounting services such as account reconciliation, statement preparation, account monitoring, data maintenance, report preparation, technical assistance, financial assistance, budget assistance, quality assurance, and payroll coordination.  
• Creates reports to balance financial statement transactions to source documents such as accounts payable transactions, deposits, and inter-university transactions. Documents any timing differences or reconciling items. 
• Produces statements of financial activity based upon monthly departmental business that can include section financials, consolidated department financials, and cash flow analysis. Notifies appropriate personnel of irregularities and obtains proper signatures of authority as evidence of review.  
• Monitors departmental accounts, accounts payable transactions, and spending activity. Prepares cost and budget transfers. Prepares and enters requisitions and invoices for payment. Prepares the daily deposit of departmental receipts.  
• Initiates cost transfers between various departments and service units.  
• Maintains department's financial records, budget information, and other forms of data. Tracks payments, receipts, transactions, internal and external contracts, and agreements.  
• Prepares financial reports to document activity, substantiate transactions, and report findings.  
• Provides assistance to departments across the K20 Center, principal investigators, vendors, and other staff in analyzing and maintaining appropriate funds for salaries and expenditures.  
• Performs financial analyses for report preparation, to improve departmental accounting procedures, and at the request of department head. Analyzes terms of contracts to ensure compliance.  
• Assists in the annual preparation of the budget.  
• Ensures the quality of data. Research inconsistencies and conduct follow-up investigations or consults with appropriate personnel.  
• Acts as the payroll coordinator or backup payroll coordinator for the department or college.  
• Oversees the K20’s financial reporting and related financial surveys. May manage reports including the preparation of year-end financials and other reports as required. 
• Performs various duties as needed to successfully fulfill the function of the position. 

• 60 months experience in general accounting to include 12 months experience in a supervisory role.

• Detail oriented for accuracy of data and information. 
• Highly organized and able to handle multiple projects and deadlines. 
• Ability to communicate verbally and in writing. 
• Ability to build rapport with students, faculty and staff. 
• Ability to supervise staff and communicate directions and expectations effectively. 
• Ability to produce reports and complete work within deadlines. 
• Strong initiative to solve problems in a timely manner. 

Working Conditions:

• Sit for prolonged periods.  
• Communicate effectively and listen.  
• Use of computer and answer telephone. 
• Manual dexterity.  
• Standard office environment. 
• Frequent exposure to pressure caused by deadlines and busy periods.
• Requires contact with other departments and university officials.  

Department Preferences:

• 72 months experience as a professional Accountant.
• 24 months experience in using PeopleSoft.
• 24 months experience in using Intuit QuickBooks.  

Special Instructions: If you are selected as a final candidate for this position, you will be subject to The University of Oklahoma Norman Campus Tuberculosis Testing policy.  To view the policy, visit https://hr.ou.edu/Policies-Handbooks/TB-Testing.

Why You Belong at the University of Oklahoma: The University of Oklahoma fosters an inclusive culture of respect and civility, belonging, and access, which are essential to our collective pursuit of excellence and our determination to change lives. The unique talents, perspectives, and experiences of our community enrich the learning, and working environment at OU, inspiring us to harness our innovation, creativity, and collaboration for the advancement of people everywhere.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: The University of Oklahoma, in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations, does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, age, religion, disability, political beliefs, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices, or procedures. This includes, but is not limited to, admissions, employment, financial aid, housing, services in educational programs or activities, and health care services that the University operates or provides.