Research Accountant I

Summary: Plans, directs, and manages accounting activities within Grants Management Accounting.

Essential Functions

Performs duties at a BEGINNER LEVEL such as:

Assists in the development, implementation, and monitoring of accounting systems and accounting controls, submitting recommendations for improving the department’s accounting operations.

Collects appropriate data and prepares federal, state, and local financial statements and reports according to funding agency requirements. Reporting cost, revenues, property, and cost-share data.

Assists in the collection of and preparation of external audit materials and financial reporting.

Directs the maintenance of general and subsidiary ledgers of post award activity, accounts receivable, revenue distribution, budgets and operating expenses. Including any corrections requested/needed for project allowability, approval and closeout.

Identifies and resolves problems and inconsistencies in all grant related activities to include overdrafts, Billing, AR, Post award expenses, determining appropriate corrective actions and procedures, maintaining documentation for audit purposes or agency request. Working with university departments, sponsoring agencies and any third-party agency systems needed.

Determines proper handling of financial transactions interpreting and applying procedures, policies, and regulations to the administration of federal, state, local, and private awards.

Provides training to campus as needed on grant transaction processes.

Performs statistical analyses to determine trends, estimates, and the impact of significant changes to invoices, AR activity and financial reporting.

Assists in the training of new personnel within the Grants Management Accounting.

Monitors compliance with generally accepted accounting principles and University policy and procedures.

Assists with various special projects as needed, such as the testing of institutional software systems.

Knowledge of all Microsoft Office software and able to learn and use institutional software systems, to include Peoplesoft, ORSP tools, GART, Milestones Database and Subcontract Database.

Complies with all State and University policies.

Other duties as assigned.

Award Management

Responsible for all award set up in Peoplesoft, manages all accounting activity throughout the award life cycle, including budget and cost transfers, assisting with on demand requests. Prepares and submits financial reporting based on agency requirements. Works closely with multiple departments to ensure cost share requirements are set up and met in a timely manner. Reviews and processes all subcontract payment activity within the awards.

Support Center

Reviews and approves payment documents in Peoplesoft with grant funding to include non-po vouchers, expense reports, APS forms, E-forms and, SNOAs, working closely with university departments to resolve any issue. Evaluates summer double deductions on grants, works directly with Budget department to have corrections processed in a timely manner. Oversees the overdraft process for all university awards and recommends solutions. Works closely with the Award Management group for the closeout review and processing and processes the cost share appointments necessary to meet award provisions.

Billing

Run billing process in PeopleSoft for all award activity for all contract types, that includes CRB, LOC, Fixed and Prepaid. Prepares billing reconciliation for invoice accuracy and reviews the unbilled transactions.

AR

Applies funds received both via check and ACH to corresponding invoices. Works on sponsor refunds and write offs. Responsible for reconciling AR account to GL activity. Responsible for preparing and maintaining the receivables aging reports. In constant communication with sponsoring agencies to obtain pending receivables.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Required Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration

and

Experience: No prior experience required.

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; and talk or hear. The employee must regularly be able to lift and move up to 50 lbs.

The noise level for this work environment is usually moderate.

In keeping with its access, excellence and impact mission, The University of Texas at El Paso is committed to an open, diverse, and inclusive learning and working environment that honors the talents, respects the differences, and nurtures the growth and development of all. We seek to attract faculty and staff who share our commitment.

The University of Texas at El Paso is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity in employment or the provision of services in accordance with state and federal law. Discrimination on the basis of sex includes an employee’s or prospective employee’s right to be free from sexual harassment under Title IX of the Higher Education Amendments of 1972. Inquiries—including the filing of a Formal Complaint or reporting an incident—about the application of Title IX may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, who can be reached by phone at (915) 747-8358, by email at titleix@utep.edu, or by mail at 500 W. University Ave., El Paso, TX, Kelly Hall, Room 312.

For accommodation information for employees and applicants with disabilities, please contact UTEP's Equal Opportunity Office at eoaa@utep.edu.