Senior Accountant - Business Office

APU seeks employees who desire to contribute to our thriving culture by cultivating community through professional interactions, demonstrating a posture of lifelong learning, and modeling Christ-like character. Working together, employees at APU commit to establishing a university atmosphere that is edifying to God and one another.

Under the direction of the Manager, Accounting and Financial Reporting, the Senior Accountant is responsible for the financial management, compliance, and reporting of all externally funded grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements.

This role serves as a critical gatekeeper, ensuring that grant expenditures adhere to institutional policies, Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200), and specific funding agency regulations. The Senior Accountant acts as a financial liaison to Principal Investigators (PIs), Department Administrators, Sponsored Program/Research Office staff, and external auditors, managing a diverse portfolio of restricted funds with a focus on audit readiness and fiscal integrity.

• Bachelor’s degree (BS/BA) in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration (or equivalent work experience).
• Master’s degree preferred.

• Four or more years of progressive experience in grant accounting, fund accounting, or sponsored programs financial management.
• Experience with in a higher education or non-profit environment is highly preferred.
• Comprehensive knowledge of Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200), GAAP, and grant management best practices.

• Account Setup: Setup and maintain separate accounts in the People Soft Financial System to track grant funds, ensuring distinct separation from other organizational funds.
• Transaction Review: Review and approve grant-related financial transactions (invoices, POs, payroll, journal entries) for accuracy, allowability, allocability, and adherence to budget limitations.
• Reconciliation: Perform monthly reconciliations of grant-related accounts (accounts receivable, deferred revenue, and general ledger) to ensure accuracy.
• Cash Management: Process drawdowns of funds from federal systems (e.g., Payment Management System - PMS) and non-federal sponsors to ensure timely cash receipts.
• Closeout: Perform timely financial closeout procedures for expired grants, including reconciling final expenditures, submitting final reports, and closing project accounts.

• Regulatory Compliance
  :
  Ensure strict compliance with Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200), OMB Circulars (A-21, A-110, A-133), and agency-specific terms and conditions.
• Effort Reporting
  :
  Manage and reconcile effort reporting and salary allocations for personnel charged to grants, coordinating changes with Payroll and PIs.
• External Reporting
  :
  Prepare and submit financial reports to sponsoring agencies (e.g., SF-425 Federal Financial Reports) as required by grant agreements.
• Sub-Recipient Monitoring
  :
  Monitor financial activity of sub-awardees, including reviewing and processing sub-recipient invoices.

• Audit Support: Serve as a key resource during internal reviews, external and Single audits (e.g., A-133/Single Audit), preparing detailed grant schedules, assembling compliant supporting documentation and ensuring accurate, timely and audit-ready responses that support federal, state and grantor requirements.
• Internal Controls
  :
  Assist in developing and maintaining strong internal controls over the grant accounting lifecycle to safeguard assets.
• Training & Liaison
  :
  Serve as a financial liaison to Principal Investigators and Administrators; develop resources and provide training on allowable costs and financial reporting.

• General Ledger Accounting: Review General Ledger journals and adjustments of support staff, review Business Office Intern staff assignments, assist in review of Staff Accountant reconciliations as assigned, including supporting general accounting reconciliations review. Review monthly departmental office expenditures. Set up month end calendars.
• General office process management: make recommendations and review process documentation for…