Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is seeking an Accounting Specialist for the office for Research. As part of the Office for Research, the Accounting Specialist (accountant) works in Research Financial Services (RFS) to administer and coordinate post-award administration of assigned grants and contracts for research and other sponsored programs funded by external sources. Collectively these are referred to as awards. An award can consist of one general ledger account or multiple project accounts and/or cost-sharing accounts.
Among the key duties of this position are the following:
Serves as the appropriate principal investigator's/department contact for grant and contract accounting functions.
Reviews new award setup documentation for terms and conditions, award restrictions, or sponsor requirements for the fiscal and administrative management of awards.
Communicates any differences to Manager II and note any special instructions in Tracking Notes and the account file.
Uses/designs appropriate Data Warehouse and General Ledger reports as well as spreadsheet and database programs to monitor, control, and report revenues and expenditures of awards to comply with requirements of funding sponsor/agency and University requirements.
Offers guidance and serve as the principal contact for departments and PI's for information regarding the management of grants and contracts.
Ensures Projects and General Ledger (Oracle Cloud) is accurate and current.
Initiates necessary action required which includes the input of budget adjustments, suspense clearance, F & A cost rate maintenance, and other related tasks.
Ensures that award end dates correspond to award documentation.
Reviews financial transactions and related documents to assure allowability, conformity, reasonableness and to avoid waste, loss, misuse.
Exercises sound judgment so that all transactions are in compliance with current agency and University regulations and cost principles.
Reviews cost-sharing accounts to make sure the appropriate cost-sharing is taking place as planned.
Ensures all award supporting documents are complete and properly authorized.
Keeps grant and contract files organized.
Keeps supervisor informed of problem areas.
Minimum Education and Experience:
Bachelor's degree with a major in finance, accounting, or business-related field or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience that demonstrates knowledge of Accounting/Financing principles.
A minimum of two years of relevant experience in a financial/accounting function.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Personal computer skills are essential, working knowledge of the Microsoft suite of programs is required. This includes spreadsheets, word processing, and database applications.
Capable of working with a diverse group of business and academic professionals.
Good communication skills, and computer literacy.
Strong verbal, writing, interpersonal, organizational, and analytical skills.
Ability to understand and apply the information pertaining to grant and contracts documents, University, Agency policies, and regulations.
Ability to handle multiple tasks and special assignments in a professional manner.
Willing to adapt to periodic changes made to their award workload assignment due to redistributions needed to balance the workload among all accountants.
Preferred Qualifications:
Research or grants education and/or certification (CRA, CFRA, CPA, or Rutgers S.P.A.C.E. Certification)
Working knowledge of Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200).
Knowledge of Rutgers University systems, policies and procedures is highly desirable.
Five years of grant and contract accounting experience.
Equipment Utilized:
Accountants use Microsoft Excel, Word, and Access to prepare and submit financial invoices and reports, ORACLE Cloud projects and general ledger and Financial Data Warehouse reports using Rutgers reporting tools to extract information from the financial data warehouse to be used in the preparation of financial reports and invoices. Analysis of information and processing of correcting journal entries using Excel Templates and the Oracle Base Application. Review and analyze the allowability of transactions using ORACLE projects and general ledger and the financial data warehouse.
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is a leading national public research university and the state's preeminent, comprehensive public institution of higher education. Rutgers is dedicated to teaching that meets the highest standards of excellence; to conducting research that breaks new ground; and to turning knowledge into solutions for local, national, and global communities. As it was at our founding in 1766, the heart of our mission is preparing students to become productive members of society and good citizens of the world. Rutgers teaches across the full educational spectrum: preschool to precollege; undergraduate to graduate and postdoctoral; and continuing education for professional and personal advancement. Rutgers is New Jersey's land-grant institution and one of the nation's foremost research universities, and as such, we educate, make discoveries, serve as an engine of economic growth, and generate ideas for improving people's lives.
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