Cost Accounting/Central Effort Manager

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; North Carolina; On-site; USD 80,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is hiring a Cost Accounting/Central Effort Manager in North Carolina. This EHRA Non-Faculty position oversees cost accounting and effort reporting within the Office of Sponsored Programs, ensuring federal compliance and accurate time reporting.

Reporting to the Director of Cost Analysis and Compliance, you will supervise five accountants, manage payroll actions, and contribute to F&A rate proposals, benefiting from a comprehensive benefits package

Qualifications

• Lead, train, and mentor others in a high-accuracy environment.
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft products and Excel for complex reporting.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and organization.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks with deadlines under pressure.
• Familiarity with federal Uniform Guidance and time/effort reporting.

Responsibilities

• Lead supervision of five accountants and oversee payroll actions.
• Manage effort certification using ecrt to ensure federal compliance.
• Prepare F&A cost rate proposals and support budgeting for sponsored agreements.
• Collaborate with campus stakeholders and ensure accurate reporting.
• Support director with cost reporting analyses and fringe rate communications.

Skills

Leadership

MS Excel

Communication

Organization

Time management

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Multitasking

Deadline management

Education

Master's degree

Bachelor's degree

Tools

PeopleSoft Financials ERP

ecrt

CRIS

Job description

Posting Information

Department Office of Sponsored Programs-621100

Career Area Research Professionals

Posting Open Date 06/18/2026

Application Deadline 09/22/2026

Open Until Filled No

Position Type Permanent Staff (EHRA NF)

Working Title Cost Accounting/Central Effort Manager

Appointment Type EHRA Non-Faculty

Position Number 00059928

Vacancy ID NF0009827

Full Time/Part Time Full-Time Permanent

FTE 1

Hours per week 40

Position Location North Carolina, US

Hiring Range $80,000 - $85,000

Proposed Start Date 09/28/2026

Be a Tar Heel!

A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation’s top public universities . Known for its beautiful campus, world-class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn. One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community. University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events. UNC -Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package , paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.

Primary Purpose Of Organizational Unit

The Office of Sponsored Programs ( OSP ) partners with the research community to support and advance the University’s research mission by providing leadership and expertise in research administration. OSP facilitates and manages all aspects of sponsored research administration for over $1B in sponsored awards each year while developing and maintaining strong relationships with campus partners and external sponsors. OSP is responsible for the following primary functions: (1) proposal review and submission, (2) award negotiation, (3) award management, (4) financial reporting and cash management, (5) F&A rate development, negotiation, and review, (6) cost analysis and research service center (recharge) rate development, (7) monitoring and oversight of time and effort reporting, (8) oversight of regulatory compliance, (9) training and development for research administration personnel, and (10) Project closeout and final reporting requirements. OSP provides complete sponsored project life cycle support (sometimes known as pre-award and post-award services) to faculty and staff. There are four functional areas of responsibility within the Office of Sponsored Programs, which have the following types of positions: (1) program administration; (2) accounting, financial reporting, and cash management; (3) data management reporting and analysis; and (4) financial compliance, effort reporting, cost studies, and cost accounting standards ( CAS ). OSP serves as the official institutional signatory for the Chancellor and is responsible for reviewing and authorizing proposal submissions, as well as negotiating and administering awards on behalf of the University. These activities include monitoring institutional compliance for research and training activities, pre-award services, billing and financial reporting, cash management, cost analysis and compliance of research-related activities, verification of technical report and patent & invention report submissions by principal investigators (PIs), award closeout, and the implementation of information technology into research administration activities. OSP’s centralized administrative functions facilitate the development and implementation of standardized policies & procedures across the University. They also provide training opportunities to improve University-wide efficiencies and communication to increase the quality of research administration.

Position Summary

Under the supervision of the Director of Cost Analysis and Compliance (Director), the Cost Accounting/Central Effort Manager will have responsibility for the University’s (research) cost accounting and the overall effort reporting functions in the Office of Sponsored Programs ( OSP ). The Manager’s responsibilities include:

• Supervision of five Accountants (three Journey ( SHRA ) and two Accountant 2 ( EHRA ))
• Monitoring the review and approval of all electronic payroll actions impacting sponsored research activities.
• Managing the overall effort certification function at UNC -CH, using the Effort Certification & Reporting Technology system (ecrt), to ensure the University is in full federal compliance with Uniform Guidance and institutional effort reporting operating standards.
• Preparation of the University’s Facilities and Administrative (F&A) cost rate proposal ensuring that it is prepared and submitted in a fashion that complies with federal guidelines yet maximizes overhead cost recovery for the University.
• Assist the Director in conducting special cost reporting analysis and communicating employee fringe benefits rates for sponsored agreement budgeting as required to support the research division.

The Manager works closely with campus constituents including faculty, deans and department chair offices, administrators and effort coordinators, certifiers, and other institutional compliance functions.

This position must ensure that all work has a high level of accuracy. Anything less than 100% accuracy has a potential negative impact on future awards, revenue, and audit disallowances. Errors resulting in failure to exercise required accuracy would have a grave financial impact and ultimately would erode the credibility of the Office of Sponsored Programs as well as cause irreparable harm to the University.

This position is a 100% remote work arrangement, consistent with System Office policy. UNC Chapel Hill employees are generally required to reside in North Carolina, within a reasonable commuting distance of their assigned duty station.

Minimum Education And Experience Requirements

Mid- to late-career with Masters and 2- 4 yrs experience; Bachelors and 3-5 yrs experience

Required Qualifications, Competencies, And Experience

• Ability to lead, train, and mentor others.
• Position requires strong knowledge of Microsoft products and demonstrated ability to adapt quickly to new applications and various computer tools. Position requires extensive knowledge of MS Excel.
• Selected candidate must demonstrate excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Selected candidate must be well-organized, highly flexible, detail-oriented, and demonstrate an independent work initiative.
• Demonstrates ability to establish operational objectives, work plans, and delegate to team members.
• Candidate must possess strong analytical and creative troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
• Must be able to manage multiple tasks and have flexibility to adjust to changing priorities.
• Must have the ability to work effectively under deadline pressures/ time constraints.
• Mastery of core research competencies including federal (Uniform Guidance) and sponsor guidelines, compliance issues related to time and effort reporting, audit standards, cost sharing, and other areas of financial and non-financial research compliance.
• Experience with data tracking and report preparation.

Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, And Experience

Preferred candidate will possess previous experience working with:

• Effort administration on sponsored agreements.
• PeopleSoft Financials ERP system.
• Facilities and Administrative (F&A or Indirect Cost) rate proposal development.
• Strong preference will be given to candidates with previous experience using ecrt (effort reporting software) and/or CRIS (F&A rate development software).
• Two or more years’ experience managing staff is a plus.

Campus Security Authority Responsibilities

Not Applicable.

Quick Link

https://unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/320434

Posting Contact Information

Department Contact Name and Title Jamie Strickland, Human Resources Consultant

Department Contact Telephone or Email [e-mail]

Office of Human Resources Contact Information

If you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, please contact the Office of Human Resources at [phone] or send an email to [e-mail] Please note: The Office of Human Resources will not be able to provide specific updates regarding position or application status.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply without regard to age, color, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.