Accounting Specialist

Commonwealth of VA Careers; Norfolk (VA); On-site; USD 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Commonwealth of VA Careers is seeking an Accounting Specialist in Norfolk, VA to support financial and administrative operations for sponsored programs. You will process high volumes of reimbursements and payments, ensuring accuracy, allowability, and timeliness in accordance with policies and sponsor requirements.

The role emphasizes detailed review, coding, auditing, and reconciliation, with strong internal controls and collaboration with multiple stakeholders to maintain compliant

Qualifications

• Working knowledge of accounting transaction processing and recordkeeping.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Ability to communicate professionally with staff and external customers.
• Ability to gather information from multiple sources to support transactions.
• Ability to ensure compliance with policies, procedures, and standards.
• Customer service principles and service quality awareness.
• Detail-oriented with sound judgment for high-volume data.

Responsibilities

• Process and validate reimbursement and payment transactions for sponsored programs.
• Review and code travel reimbursements and project expenses.
• Handle settlements and advances, including travel advances.
• Audit, reconcile, and maintain compliant transaction documentation.
• Apply internal controls to ensure accuracy and timeliness.

Skills

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Data verification

Customer service

Attention to detail

Policy compliance

Job description

Title: Accounting Specialist

Agency: VP FOR RESEARCH

Location: Norfolk, VA

FLSA: Non-Exempt

Hiring Range:

Full Time or Part Time: Full Time

Job Description:

The primary purpose of this position is to support the financial and administrative operations of sponsored programs by processing and validating a high volume of reimbursement and payment transactions in compliance with institutional, sponsor, and regulatory requirements within the ODU Research Foundation. This includes travel reimbursements, project-related expenses (e.g., supplies, consultants, honoraria, and patient incentives), as well as settlements and advances such as travel advances. The position ensures accuracy, allowability, and timeliness of transactions through detailed review, coding, auditing, and reconciliation activities, while maintaining complete and compliant documentation. This role contributes to the integrity of financial operations within the Research Foundation by applying strong internal controls, supporting post-merger increases in transaction complexity and volume, and ensuring adherence to evolving federal, state, and sponsor requirements.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Working knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures related to accounting transaction processing, recordkeeping, and data verification.
• Working proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Working ability to work directly with all levels of employees and external customers in a professional and service-oriented manner.
• Working ability to obtain, review, and compile information from multiple sources to support accurate processing of transactions.
• Working ability to evaluate information and determine compliance with established policies, procedures, and applicable standards.
• Working knowledge of customer service principles, including assessing customer needs, meeting service quality standards, and supporting customer satisfaction.
• Working ability to maintain attention to detail and exercise sound judgment when processing high-volume financial or administrative data.