Contracts & Grants Accountant I/II/III

Auburn University; Auburn (AL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Office of the Senior Vice President for Research and Economic Development at Auburn University is seeking a Contracts & Grants Accountant. This role provides financial oversight for extramural programs across Auburn University and related systems.

Responsibilities include reviewing award documents, monitoring budgets and expenses for compliance, preparing financial reports, and supporting closeout processes for grants and contracts.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in a relevant field.
• 2+ years of accounting experience for Level I, increasing with levels II/III.
• Familiarity with 2 CFR 200 Uniform Guidance or equivalent regulations.

Responsibilities

• Conducts financial review and analysis of sponsored agreements, including budgets and period terms.
• Updates financial system with sponsored accounts and cost-sharing data.
• Process amendments to awards, budget reallocations, and interim reporting.
• Prepare and submit financial reports; invoice sponsors when authorized.
• Ensure timely billing of grant and contract receivables; manage fund draws.
• Provide regulatory guidance to faculty and staff on sponsored research requirements.
• Maintain expertise in applicable regulations and requirements.
• Review cost transfers for correct recording and compliance.

Skills

Financial analysis

Budgeting

Regulatory compliance

Grant accounting

Financial reporting

Reconciliation

Cost transfers

Communication

Attention to detail

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration

Master's degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration

Experience in government or higher education accounting

Tools

Financial systems software

Job description

Overview

The Office of the Senior Vice President for Research and Economic Development is accepting applications for a Contracts & Grants Accountant.

This role provides comprehensive oversight of all financial activities related to extramural programs supporting research, instruction, outreach, and extension at Auburn University, the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. Key responsibilities include reviewing award documents to ensure proper setup and modifications, monitoring budgets and expenses to maintain compliance with federal, state, and sponsor regulations, and preparing and submitting financial reports and reimbursement requests. This role also collaborates with investigators and staff on budgetary and financial matters while ensuring adherence to funding guidelines. Additionally, the position oversees the closeout process for grants and contracts, ensuring accurate reconciliations and final reporting.

Responsibilities

Level I/II:

• Financial Review and Analysis: Conducts detailed financial reviews and analyzes sponsored agreements, including project periods, payment terms, budget allocations, and compliance with all relevant regulations, financial reporting requirements, and cost-sharing commitments.


• System Updates: Updates the financial system with all necessary sponsored, cost-share, third-party accounts as dictated by agreement packages received from the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP). Ensures consistency in data capture for internal and external reporting and responsible unit award management.


• Collaboration: Collaborates with the pre-award office, college and department contacts, and sponsor points of contact to process amendments to awards, budget reallocations, and interim reporting from inception to closeout.


• Financial Reporting: Prepares and submits financial reports in accordance with the terms of sponsored agreements. Maintains authority to invoice sponsors on behalf of the University.


• Billing and Receivables: Ensures accurate and timely billing of grant and contract receivables and consolidates federal fund draw requests.


• Regulatory Guidance: Provides regulatory guidance to faculty, administrative units, and staff, ensuring compliance with relevant laws and regulations governing sponsored research. Builds trust and provides efficient and effective support to diverse constituents both internally and externally.


• Expertise Maintenance: Maintains expertise in interpreting and applying federal and state regulations governing sponsored research, including 2 CFR 200 Uniform Guidance, standard federal research terms and conditions, state regulations, other agency-specific requirements, and non-financial regulatory requirements. Stays current with developments in research administration through participation in professional development activities.


• Cost Transfers: Reviews cost transfers for sponsored projects, ensuring proper recording and execution of financial transfers in accordance with applicable internal and external guidelines.

Level III:

• Financial Review and Analysis: Conducts detailed financial reviews and analyzes sponsored agreements, including project periods, payment terms, budget allocations, and compliance with all relevant regulations, financial reporting requirements, and cost-sharing commitments.


• System Updates: Updates the financial system with all necessary sponsored, cost-share, third-party accounts as dictated by agreement packages received from the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP). Ensures consistency in data capture for internal and external reporting and responsible unit award management.


• Collaboration: Collaborates with the pre-award office, college and department contacts, and sponsor points of contact to process amendments to awards, budget reallocations, and interim reporting from inception to closeout.


• Financial Reporting: Prepares and submits financial reports in accordance with the terms of sponsored agreements. Maintains authority to invoice sponsors on behalf of the University.


• Billing and Receivables: Ensures accurate and timely billing of grant and contract receivables and consolidates federal fund draw requests.


• Regulatory Guidance: Provides regulatory guidance to faculty, administrative units, and staff, ensuring compliance with relevant laws and regulations governing sponsored research. Builds trust and provides efficient and effective support to diverse constituents both internally and externally.


• Expertise Maintenance: Maintains expertise in interpreting and applying federal and state regulations governing sponsored research, including 2 CFR 200 Uniform Guidance, standard federal research terms and conditions, state regulations, other agency-specific requirements, and non-financial regulatory requirements. Stays current with developments in research administration through participation in professional development activities.


• Cost Transfers: Reviews cost transfers for sponsored projects, ensuring proper recording and execution of financial transfers in accordance with applicable internal and external guidelines.


• Consistency in Costing: Identifies and corrects errors and inconsistencies in financial entries, documents, and reports, and processes adjustments or refunds as necessary.


• Record Maintenance: Maintains organized and up-to-date financial records, ensuring all required documentation is accurately filed and readily accessible.


• Grant Closure: Reconciles project expenses, archives records, and submits final reports to ensure proper grant closure. Requires frequent interaction with faculty, staff, and administration.


• Policy Development: Assists with the development, review, and maintenance of policies, procedures, tools, and resources based on the changing regulatory environment.

Qualifications

Level I:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration and 2 years of experience in accounting services.

Or

• Master's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration and 0 years of experience in accounting services.

Level II:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration and 4 years of experience in accounting services.

Or

• Master's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration and 2 years of experience in accounting services.

Level III:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration and 6 years of experience in accounting services.

Or

• Master's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration and 4 years of experience in accounting services.

Desired Qualifications

• Contracts and Grants Accounting experience


• Certified Public Accountant (CPA)


• Experience in Higher Education


• Working knowledge of Auburn University policies and procedures

Contract Type

Continuing

Why Work at Auburn?

• Life-Changing Impact: Our work changes lives through research, instruction, and outreach, making a lasting impact on our students, our communities, and the world.


• Culture of Excellence: We are committed to leveraging our strengths, resources, collaboration, and innovation as a top employer in higher education.


• We're Here for You: Auburn offers generous benefits, educational opportunities, and a culture of support and work/life balance.


• Sweet Home Alabama: The Auburn/Opelika area offers southern charm, vibrant downtown scenes, top-ranked schools, and easy access to Atlanta, Birmingham, and the Gulf of Mexico beaches.


• A Place for Everyone: Auburn is committed to fostering an environment where all faculty, staff, and students are welcomed, valued, respected, and engaged.

Equal Opportunity Compliance Statement

It is our policy to provide equal employment and education opportunities for all individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other classification protected by applicable law. Please visit the Office of Equal Opportunity Compliance's website to learn more.