Research Accountant II

Research Accountant II

Engineering a world of possibilities. As the next Research Accountant II, you will manage the expense administration of research grants and contracts in the Office of Research Administration (ORA). Your role will serve as a key resource to faculty and administrators, providing expertise on the financial administration of sponsored research awards.

The position is hybrid; the successful candidate must commute to campus in Golden, Colorado on a regular basis.

• Create new research accounts and amend existing accounts in the School’s financial system and ORA’s enterprise project tracking system.
• Determine appropriate financial codes based on legal agreements, proposals, and project documents.
• Serve as subject‑expert on sponsor agreement formats, financial terms, and conditions.
• Provide consultation to faculty and staff on proper account setup and modification.

• Monitor, review, and reconcile award budgets, balances, and expenses.
• Perform deficit monitoring, expense review, and ensure expenditures are allowable, allocable, and reasonable.
• Coordinate with ORA staff, faculty, and sponsors to evaluate deficit spending requests and determine financial risk.
• Approve faculty requests for no‑cost time extensions, budget deviations, and pre‑award spending when permitted.
• Identify, investigate, and resolve discrepancies or errors in research accounts.
• Assist the Property Manager in ensuring equipment is titled, accounted, and tagged properly.
• Develop and update ad‑hoc reports and templates to streamline financial administration.
• Develop and improve standing operating procedures related to award financial monitoring.

• Prepare and submit required financial and non‑financial reports within sponsoring agency time frames.
• Analyze financial statements, supporting documentation, and other information to ensure accuracy of reports.
• Provide data extraction support using Workday, Cognos, and ORA’s project software.
• Navigate sponsor reporting systems to submit required reports.
• Serve as subject‑expert on financial and non‑financial reporting.

• Perform all closeout actions required by sponsoring agencies and School policies.
• Track outstanding accounts receivable actions and coordinate financial closeout between the grant sub‑ledger and General Ledger.
• Perform final expense review and account reconciliation.
• Develop and improve standing operating procedures related to award closeouts.
• Serve as subject‑expert on award closeout.

• Provide guidance and training on policies, procedures, and regulations related to research administration.
• Participate in office‑wide process evaluation and reengineering efforts.
• Critically evaluate processes with a goal of efficiency and optimal resource utilization.
• Recommend and lead improvement initiatives where approved.

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or equivalent experience.
• At least 4years of Sponsored Research accounting experience.
• Proven ability to serve as a subject‑expert on research accounting and post‑award administration topics.
• Experience managing a high‑volume portfolio with a variety of sponsors.
• Working knowledge of federal and other relevant external research regulations.
• Excellent customer service skills and ability to work with diverse constituencies.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, including independent judgment.

• Higher Education or government accounting experience.
• Knowledge of GASB and Uniform Guidance.

Salary range: $70,100–$76,000.

• Flexible health and dental care options.
• Generous sick/vacation time: 13 paid holidays per year, including a week‑long winter break.
• Fully vested retirement plan with generous employer contribution.
• Tuition benefits: 6 credits per year for employees, 50% discount for dependents.
• Free RTD Ecopass.
• Access to discount programs, Athletics tickets, Recreation Center, and other campus resources.
• On‑campus daycare center.

Colorado School of Mines is committed to equal opportunity for…