Post-Award Accountant, Projects Accounting, University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture

Job Description

The UT Institute of Agriculture (UTIA) Sponsored Projects Accounting department (SPA) provides effective and efficient post-award support for externally funded research, extension and teaching activities while also ensuring compliance. The Post-Award Accountant reports to the Director of Sponsored Projects Accounting and provides fiscal and accounting support to achieve the mission. The SPA department provides financial administrative, accounting, and auditing service to the UTIA research community for post-award functions and coordinates activities with the UTIA Office of Sponsored Programs which provides pre-award support.

The position assists in the compliance of all grant and contract funding, including the set-up, invoicing, compliance, close-out, and audit for all federal, state, local, and private grants for all research, teaching, and outreach extramural funding  position manages accounting functions within the Sponsored Projects Accounting Office at the Institute of Agriculture to ensure the accuracy, timeliness and efficiency of post-award fiscal administration.

The Post-Award Accountant works to minimize risk to the university from restricted account activity and maximize university cash flow through accounts receivable management. Position may work remote or hybrid.

• Analyzes contracts and agreements for spending restrictions, reporting deadlines, payment request information and liability.
• Creates accounts in the university's financial system.
• Coordinates activities with other campuses or units on joint projects.
• Maintains accounts throughout the life of a project.
• Analyzes expenditures by interpreting and applying fiscal regulations and guidelines to ensure that all federal, state and university requirements are met for each sponsored project.
• Processes payment requests to agencies.
• Manages letter of credit draws of funds using various agency websites.
• Prepares financial reports for sponsors and certifies them on behalf of the university, submitting them to external sponsors.
  
  Ensures reports are reconciled to the university ledger.
• Monitors subcontract financial reports.
• Assists in the training and instruction of business managers, faculty, and other research staff.
• Helps develop policies and procedures to reduce financial risk exposure from federal, state and private audits.
• Closes projects by processing final financial, inventory, patent and equipment reports, etc.

• Works with faculty and business managers to review and analyze charges and ensure they remain within agency approved budget categories.
• Works with other university units on joint projects including budgetary matters.
• Works with funding agencies to execute budget changes.
• Monitors accounts for any expenditure overages.

• Assists in the development of procedures based on auditor input and regulatory guidelines.
• Conducts and monitors compliance activities to reduce financial exposure resulting from federal, state and private audits.
• Initiates corrective actions to ensure that financial operations and records conform to University policies and sponsor regulations.
• Collaborates with the UTIA Office of Sponsored Programs (pre-award) and departments to ensure consistent, timely, accurate, and compliant financial activities, charges, and procedures.
• Assists in responses and communication with internal and external audits.
• Interacts with sponsoring agencies on financial matters related to funding, budgets, allowable cost, and external review.

• Works directly with academic department staff to monitor fiscal aspects of subawards to ensure the recipient follows fiscal regulations and guidelines.
• Determines appropriate…