Grant Accountant

Job Title: Grant Accountant

Department: Business Office

Classification: Exempt

Grade: 11

FTE/Working Schedule: 1.0 FTE

Position Overview

The Grant Accountant serves as a resource for both the internal and external community by providing information and interpreting college policy related to federal, state and private foundation grants. Responsible for the financial management of federal, state and private foundation grants, including monitoring expenditures, preparing financial reports and ensuring compliance with agency guidelines.

This position reports to the Comptroller in the Business Office and works closely with staff in the Office of the Provost, the Grants Office, and the Science Education Resource Center (SERC).

Compensation

The expected starting salary range for this position is between $66,700 and $70,400. Actual pay will be adjusted based on job-related factors permitted by law, such as experience and training; licensure and certifications; market factors; departmental budgets; and responsibility.

Essential Job Functions/Responsibilities

Grant Accounting and Reporting:

• The Grant Accountant serves as a resource for both the internal and external community by providing information and interpreting federal and state regulations and college policy related to grants for the Carleton grant portfolio. Partnered closely with the Office of the Provost, Grants Office, and individual Principal Investigators (PIs), the Grant Accountant participates in review and approval of proposed budgets for grant applications at the time they are prepared to ensure terms and conditions are in alignment with college policy and supported resources.
• After grant awards are received, the Grant Accountant will routinely collaborate with the Comptroller, Grants Office, Provost Office, Science Education Resource Center (SERC) and individual Principal Investigators (PIs) to assist with the implementation of approved and accepted awards.
• Position requires familiarity with Generally Accepted Accounting Standards (GAAP); Government Auditing Standards (GAS) and OMB Uniform Guidance.
• The Grant Accountant will provide training and support for new PIs and Departmental Assistants (DA). Verify financial reporting complies with the US Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Uniform Guidance and Grantor Agreements.
• Responsible for compliance, accounting, and reporting for foundation, federal and state grants. Provide post-award grant support and assistance including oversight for sub-awards and contracts.
• Monitor federal grant expenditures to ensure spending within technical guidelines and OMB Uniform Guidance. Verify indirect cost allocations. Assist PI/DA with questions regarding budgets, available balances and federal spending policies. Communicate routinely with the Grants Office and grant PIs regarding the status of spending to ensure progress toward completion.
• Administer the sub-award process for both out-going and in-coming awards, working with SERC or other PIs to initiate and/or renew sub-award documents and monitor sub-award compliance. Complete sub-award audits on a periodic basis.
• Coordinate the completion of quarterly budget certifications and Time and Effort Reporting.
  
  

Additional Job Responsibilities

• Facilitate responses to agency audits.
• In consultation with the Comptroller, negotiate the periodic renewal of the federal indirect cost rate(s).
• Maintain and enhance the grant management resources available on the Business Office web site.
• Support the Workday Grant Workstream Lead by monitoring, testing and confirming system enhancements as they are released to ensure optimization of grant and award management. Actively engage in routine planning, configuration and testing for bi-annual Workday releases to ensure enhancements meet needs and expectations.
• Contribute to the preparation of the annual audited financial statements especially as they relate to the Schedule of Federal Awards and Compliance Audit. Prepare supporting audit work papers as well as related surveys and reports.
• In collaboration with the Comptroller complete annual surveys and questionnaires that report on grant activity (i.e. NSF - HERDS).
• Engage in regular professional development, often in partnership with other staff including members of the Grants Office, to monitor new regulations and communicate recommended enhancements to internal control procedures to ensure our compliance environment is robust.
• Participate in various campus committees and project teams as requested.
• Serve as document manager for all Grant Management functions ensuring Business
• Office File Management guidelines and Document Retention Guidelines are followed.
  
  

Describe Supervision Received And Exercised

• Routine communication with the Grant Manager and Comptroller is expected, with independence to develop and enhance systems to meet department; committee and college reporting requirements expected.
• Highly collaborative work with Office of the Provost, Grants Office and SERC as well as Principal Investigators and Departmental Assistants.
  
  

Education/Experience/Skills

Required:

• BA or BS degree and experience in.
• 2 or more years of experience in public accounting or 3 - 5 years of experience in grant management or sponsored research
• Proficient with Microsoft Office.
• Knowledge and experience with generally accepted accounting policy and procedure, internal revenue service regulations and federal grant compliance regulations as they apply to higher education. Ability to communicate effectively. Excellent observation skills, inquisitive personality and talent for collaboration.
• Extensive experience with accounting software and spreadsheet tools is critical. Must possess strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate with and train colleagues in a collaborative, multi-disciplinary organization.
  
  

Preferred

• Accounting experience with a college or university or another large non-profit organization.
• Experience with the Workday enterprise management system.
• Ability to work on campus during the initial year of employment to fully embrace and support collaborative engagement with peers and PI’s. Flexible work schedule available.
  
  

Other Skills/Abilities

• Ability to effectively communicate accounting information, policies and/or procedures in a manner easily understood by others.
• Spreadsheet software skills to quantify and illustrate routine and complex financial reports, comparisons, impacts and/or projections.
• Knowledge of finance, accounting, budgeting and internal control procedures.
• Ability to analyze financial data and prepare financial reports, statements and/or projections.
• Ability to manage time.
• Team leader and willingness to mentor students and staff
• Ability to work with a wide variety of people
• Professional appearance and behavior
• Ability to prioritize and meet deadlines
• Ability to research and analyze
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Positive attitude
  
  

Must have the ability to understand and follow written and oral work instructions, operations, safety procedures, and hazardous labels.

Note: This position description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may perform other related duties to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

Review of applications begins immediately and continues until the hire is complete. We accept only online applications.

Carleton College is an AA/EEO Employer: We are committed to developing our staff to better reflect the diversity of our student body and American society. Members of underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

Carleton also offers a robust suite of benefits including: A generous 403(b) retirement plan with a 10% employer contribution and 2% employee contribution. Medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance. Paid time-off, including 20 vacation days, 8 paid holidays, 3, floating holidays, 2 weather days, and extra days at the end of the calendar year to make a continuous week off before New Year’s. Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for all employees. A dependent tuition program after six years of service.

Founded in 1866, Carleton College is a private, coeducational liberal arts college of roughly 2,000 students located in the historic river town of Northfield, Minnesota. Carleton College occupies more than 1,000 scenic acres of campus, arboretum, over 100 campus buildings, and athletic fields. Located 40 miles south of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Carleton offers access to the cultural advantages of a major metropolitan area.