Academic Grants & Finance Specialist

The Rector & Visitors of the University of Virginia; Charlottesville (VA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The Finance Generalist role at The Rector & Visitors of the University of Virginia supports the Biology department's fiscal team, providing comprehensive grant administration, fund management, and day‑to‑day financial operations. This position collaborates with the Department Manager, Chair, and faculty to deliver accurate, timely financial information and hands‑on support.

Strong fund accounting and grant management experience, including NIH considerations, is essential, with an emphasis on

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in accounting, finance, business administration, or related field.
• 2+ years of relevant professional experience.
• Experience with sponsored program/post-award grant administration, including OSP processes and sponsor reporting.
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail, especially in reconciliations and account monitoring.

Responsibilities

• Develop and provide financial forecasts.
• Develop and implement accurate, timely, and complete budget and accounting documents.
• Process payroll accounting adjustments and journal entries.
• Obtain and analyze financial data to provide up‑to‑date information on faculty start‑up accounts and capital equipment/ETF balances.
• Update labor distribution for grant and departmental accounts and process labor adjustments with input from PIs and leadership.
• Help ensure bills are paid promptly to maintain compliance with University requirements.
• Resolve discrepancies with vendors as needed.
• Track fund accounts, special projects, and tasks to ensure proper entries and monitor balances.
• Audit Biology expenses and maintain audit‑ready records.
• Provide post‑award grant management including grant transactions, collaboration with OSP for FSR and closings, payroll costing, and sponsor reporting.
• Monitor grant balances and support for non‑funded agreements.
• Perform timely grant account reconciliations coordinating with Post Award Grant and Contract Administrator.

Skills

Organizational skills

Clear communication

Sponsored program admin

NIH salary cap know-how

Effort reporting

SAFM familiarity

Workday familiarity

Excel proficiency

Fund accounting

Grants management

Academic department experience

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, or related field

Tools

Workday

SAFM

Excel

Qlik/UBI

Job description

The Finance Generalist role at The Rector & Visitors of the University of Virginia supports the Biology department's fiscal team, providing comprehensive grant administration, fund management, and day‑to‑day financial operations. This position collaborates with the Department Manager, Chair, and faculty to deliver accurate, timely financial information and hands‑on support.

Strong fund accounting and grant management experience, including NIH considerations, is essential, with an emphasis on