Budget and Fiscal Manager

University of Georgia; Athens (GA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The Budget and Fiscal Manager at University of Georgia Graduate School oversees post-award grants management, departmental accounts, and financial reporting. The role ensures compliance with sponsor guidelines and university policies while supporting graduate education programs and tuition waivers.

This position requires a bachelor’s degree in a related field and 5 years of professional experience, with strong knowledge of budgeting, HR/payroll, and university systems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent and 5 years of professional experience.
• Post-award grants management experience in higher education preferred.
• Financial, human resources, and payroll experience.
• Familiarity with graduate education and graduate student funding in higher education.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the core administrator for post-award sponsored projects management.
• Coordinate between Graduate School and Sponsored Projects Administration for financial compliance.
• Monitor expenditures and grant spending; ensure alignment with sponsor guidelines.
• Provide monthly budget reports and fund management for graduate awards.
• Oversee tuition waiver processing and compliance reporting.

Skills

Grants management

Budgeting

Financial reporting

Accounting software

Policy compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Tools

Banner

Grants Portal

UGA Financials

OneUSG Connect

Job description

Budget and Fiscal Manager

About the University of Georgia: Chartered by the state of Georgia in 1785, the University of Georgia is the birthplace of public higher education in America and is the state's flagship university. The proof is in our more than 240 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University's main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University's enrollment exceeds 41,000 students including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including our newly established School of Medicine.

About the College/Unit/Department: Established in 1910, the University of Georgia Graduate School serves as the central administrative and academic unit for graduate education at the University of Georgia, overseeing more than 200 master's, doctoral and specialist degree programs across the institution. In addition to providing administrative support for graduate admissions and degree completion, the Graduate School promotes initiatives related to student success and professional development and recognizes the contributions of graduate students to the research, teaching, and service missions of the university.

Employment Details

• Job Classification Title: Grants Professional III
• FLSA Status: Exempt
• FTE: 1.00
• Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent and 5 years of professional experience
• Preferred Qualifications:
  • 5-7 years of direct post-award grant management experience within a higher education setting.
  • 5-7 years of financial, human resources, and payroll experience, preferably in a higher education setting.
  • Familiarity with graduate education and graduate student funding in a higher education setting.
• Employment type: Employee
• Full/Part time: Full Time
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm
• Location of Vacancy: Athens Area
• Salary: Commensurate with Experience
• Benefits Eligibility: Benefits Eligible
• Retirement Plan: TRS

Position Summary

The Budget and Fiscal Manager is a vital member of the Graduate School Business Office team. The position manages a variety of fiscal, sponsored projects, and administrative operations. The position will provide full oversight and management of restricted accounts. This will encompass all aspects of post-award grants management. Additionally, this position will perform financial duties such as managing departmental accounts, approving/reviewing financial transactions, procurement, administering funds for graduate student awards, and other fiscal activities. Lastly, the position will provide support for the tuition waiver process and compliance reports.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies

• Considerable knowledge of the principles, concepts, and procedures of business administration, and skill in applying accounting and financial management principles.
• Knowledge of university, state, and federal policies concerning sponsored project administration and budgeting.
• Thorough knowledge of UGA Systems (Banner, Grants Portal, UGA Financials, OneUSG Connect, UGAMart, UGAJobs, Grad Status, OIR Reports, TouchNet, UGAF@Work, Scholarship Universe), and other business information systems and software.
• Ability to work independently as well as in a team environment.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with faculty and staff.
• Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to prioritize.
• Ability to communicate effectively with various levels of personnel.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and attention to detail.

Physical Demands

• Sitting for long periods of time, computer work.
• Work in a standard office environment.

Background Investigation Policy

Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials (including reference checks) as they relate to the job-based requirements of the position applied for; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. You may also be subject to a pre-employment drug test for positions with high-risk responsibilities, if applicable. Please visit the UGA Background Check website.

Credit and P-Card Policy

Be advised a credit check will be required for all positions with financial responsibilities. For additional information about the credit check criteria, visit the UGA Credit Background Check website.

EEO Policy Statement

The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR ([e-mail]).

USG Core Values Statement

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning, as well the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 08.02.18.01.02.
Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 06.05 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom.

Duties/Responsibilities

Post-Award Grants Management

• Serve as a resource for principal investigators and the department on all aspects of post-award sponsored projects management.
• Serve as the Liaison between the Graduate School and Sponsored Projects Administration to ensure financial compliance on grant/contract chart strings.
• Monitor expenditures and project spending on sponsored projects accounts. Ensure grant spending follows UGA and funding agency guidelines. Provide recommendations for corrective actions and assist in resolving post-award accounting issues.
• Provide updates to principal investigators regarding the status of available funds and assist the principal investigators with accessing and utilizing the funds efficiently and within the sponsor, state, and federal guidelines.
• Collaborate with principal investigators to ensure that budgets are set up correctly to align with award budgets.
• Oversee compliance with terms and conditions, including personnel effort, sub-awards, and other activities.
• Submit and monitor modifications to request budget changes, principal investigator changes, sub-award payments, etc.
• Work with principal investigators and Directors on annual reports to sponsors, including compiling budget information and preparation of personnel effort reports.
• Coordinate hiring and payroll for employees paid on sponsored projects. Manage position and funding for sponsor-funded personnel, including but not limited to, position funding changes, ad hoc salary changes, EDRs, and termination requests.
• Assist with account closeouts.

Financial Management

• Serve as the business office representative for assigned Directors. Assist with financial-related questions. Provide guidance on Graduate School and university policies and procedures.
• Maintain departmental accounts, perform reconciliations, process financial transactions, and prepare monthly budget reports.
• Review and approve/deny travel authorizations, expense reports, budget journals, payment requests, and purchase orders. Advise employees on UGA policies and procedures for financial transactions.
• Distribute, manage, and track funds for assigned graduate student awards. Collaborate with departments to ensure funds are administered in accordance with the award purpose.

Administrative and Operational Support

• Provide support for tuition waivers and compliance reports. Assist with processing waivers and performing audits to ensure compliance with tuition waiver requirements. Assist with technical tasks for the tuition waiver system and compliance reports. Assist with approving user access requests, managing the subscription for compliance reports, and coordinating with Grad IT and OIR to resolve technical issues.
• Participate in workgroups to develop or implement process improvements for the business office.
• Attend meetings and represent the Business Office on committees as needed.
• Advise students, faculty, and staff on Graduate School policies and procedures.
• Assist with managing the departmental email account, answering phone calls, compiling data for reports, special projects, and other administrative tasks.
• Stay abreast of policy and procedure changes by utilizing staff development opportunities through training courses and campus-wide informational sessions.

Other duties as assigned by the Chief Business Officer or Associate Director.