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Grants Specialist II (Remote) - Sponsored Projects Accounting

Washington University in St. Louis, Des Moines, IA, United States


Position Summary The Grant Specialist provides guidance and technical expertise to the University’s research community in areas such as Reporting, Invoicing, Transactional Approval, and Regulatory Compliance. The role works independently, enforces compliance, and provides expert advice and training to faculty and administrators related to internal University/School and external agency procedures and policies related to research administration.

Scheduled Hours 40 hours per week.

Job Responsibilities

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 advise administrators and faculty regarding the allowability and allocability of direct costs to grants, contracts and sub-agreements.

Provide detail-oriented review, timely and accurate preparation, and submission of interim, annual, and final financial reports and invoices.

Review salary and stipends for compliance with grant requirements and maintain confidentiality regarding the data.

Process complex adjusting entries and budget carryover entries.

Monitor and coordinate multiple reporting due dates and focus activities on the reports for complex projects (multiple PI, subcontracts, training grants…)

Closeout accounting records for expiring grants. Follow‑up with departments on outstanding issues that pertain to the report and/or invoice submission and closing process. Maintain documentation on correspondence with departments and external sponsors.

Review expenditures for adherence to Federal regulations, agency requirements, award conditions, and University policies.

Reconcile accounting records to ensure all costs are included on the financial report and/or invoice and closeout accounting records for expiring grants and contracts.

Communicate and follow up with departments and/or faculty members on FFR submission or invoice and closing process issues. Maintain documentation on correspondence with departments and sponsoring agencies.

Review and approve all transactions related to assigned grant portfolio to ensure compliance with University and sponsor guidelines. Primary issues involve sufficient justification, date of discovery, reasonableness, timelines, and department approvals.

Review transactions at daily scheduled intervals. Approval/disapproval should be initiated within one business day.

Contact and communicate with departments to resolve compliance issues regarding these transactions.

Monitor monthly exception reports.

Review and approve Administrative Cost Exception forms.

Assist with gathering detail support for audits as needed.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions

Job Location/Working Conditions: Normal office environment.

Physical Effort: Typically sitting at a desk or a table; repetitive wrist, hand or finger movement.

Equipment: Office equipment.

Education and Experience Required: Bachelor’s degree or combination of education and/or experience may substitute for minimum education. Relevant Experience: 2 years.

Certifications / Professional Licenses No specific certification/professional license is required for this position.

Skills Accounting System, Analytical Thinking, Computer Literacy, Customer Service, Data Reporting, Deadline Management, Detail‑Oriented, Faculty Management, Financial Information, Grant Funding, Grants Accounting, Internet Research, Managing Ambiguity, Multitasking, Oral Communications, Organizational Processes, Prioritization, Professional Judgement, Project Administration, Sponsored Research, Word Processing, Working Independently, Written Communication.

Driver’s License A driver’s license is not required for this position.

Grade & Salary Grade: G11. Salary Range: $53,100.00 – $90,600.00 per year.

Benefits

Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.

Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance.

Free Metro transit U‑Pass for eligible employees.

Defined contribution (403(b)) retirement savings plan with employee contributions and university contributions starting at 7%.

Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, Employee Assistance Program, financial resources, access to dietitians.

4 weeks of caregiver leave. Family care resources are available. Tuition coverage for employees and families: up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years.

EEO Statement Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity. It is the University’s policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, citizenship (where prohibited by federal law), age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.

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