Director, Sponsored Programs Accounting

SRA International; Starkville (MS); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Mississippi State University seeks a Director of Sponsored Programs Accounting to lead the SPA office within the Controller and Treasurer's Office. You will oversee post-award financial management, ensure compliance with sponsor requirements and federal regulations, and work with PIs and departments to support sound financial decisions.

The role emphasizes auditing, reporting accuracy, and customer service, with ongoing staff training and process improvements to promote audit readiness across

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Business required.
• Ten years of related experience preferred.
• Experience in post-award accounting and compliance is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate preparation of major funded awards reports and schedules.
• Lead the annual Single Audit and related client engagements.
• Assist principal investigators and fiscal staff with audits and reviews.
• Develop and refine post-award procedures to align with university policy.
• Ensure compliance with Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200) and sponsor requirements.
• Oversee indirect cost calculations and distributions and report timely.
• Develop system enhancements to improve reporting and audit readiness.
• Manage SPA office operations, budget, and staff development.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Diversity & inclusion

MS Office

Crystal Reports

Education

Bachelor's in Accounting or Business

MBA or CPA/CRA/CFRA

Tools

Banner software

Grants & Contracts accounting

Job description

The Director, Sponsored Programs Accounting is responsible for leading the Sponsored Programs Accounting Office within the Controller and Treasurer's Office. The position also assists Business Managers, Accountants and other fiscal personnel at the university.

Sponsored Programs Accounting (SPA) serves as Mississippi State University's central post-award financial management office, providing oversight and stewardship of externally funded projects from award setup through closeout.
SPA ensures the financial integrity, compliance, and accurate reporting of sponsored funds in accordance with university policies, sponsor requirements, and federal regulations. Core responsibilities include billing and revenue management, indirect cost calculation and distribution, financial reporting, and monitoring cash flow and receivables.
The office also leads critical compliance functions such as effort reporting, cost transfer review, and ongoing account monitoring to ensure expenditures are allowable, allocable, and reasonable. SPA works collaboratively with principal investigators, departments, and central offices to support sound financial decision-making and maintain audit readiness across the sponsored portfolio.
In addition, SPA provides training, tools, and guidance to campus partners to promote consistent practices, strengthen compliance, and support effective management of sponsored awards.
Through a commitment to accuracy, consistency, and customer service, SPA strives to be a trusted partner in advancing the university’s research mission.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• 1. Responsible for coordinating the preparation of the annual Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards, Schedule VII – Restricted funds for the university financial statements, National Science Foundation HERD Survey, and other reports related to restricted funds as needed.
• 2. Responsible lead for the annual Single Audit for the university.
• 3. Responsible for assisting PIs and their respective fiscal staff with sponsoring agency audits, desk reviews, site visits and other compliance engagements.
• 4. Responsible for enhancing and/or developing procedures and practices to implement university policy, management decisions, and applicable guidance related to post-award Research Administration.
• 5. Responsible for ensuring the university is adhering to sponsor regulations to include:
  A. Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200 of Federal Register)
  B. State Regulations
  C. Private Industries
  D. International companies and universities
• 6. Responsible for monthly indirect cost calculation/distributions posting.
• 7. Responsible for the development and implementation of system enhancements to continue to provide efficient and effective reporting and to enhance ongoing compliance efforts.
• 8. Responsible for collaborating with the Office of Sponsored Projects, ORED, Internal Audit, sponsoring agencies, state and federal auditors and colleagues at other universities to assist PIs and their respective fiscal staff to accomplish the goals and objectives of each restricted project and the overall research enterprise for the university.
• 9. Responsible for overall management of the Sponsored Programs Accounting office to include assignment of duties and responsibilities. Areas of responsibility include day to day operational duties, business process improvement efforts, compliance efforts, and outreach and training initiatives.
• 10. Responsible for the office budget commitments and expenditures.
• 11. Direct report for manager for Sponsored Programs Accounting and Sr. Cost Accountant.
• 12. Perform other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• 1. Bachelor's degree Accounting or Business
• 2. Ten years of related experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 1. Bachelor's degree in Accounting
• 2. Experience working in Banner software application
• 3. Direct experience with Grants and Contracts Accounting
• 4. Advanced degree (E.g., MBA) and/or professional certification (E.g., CRA, CFRA, CPA)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• 1. Well-developed interpersonal and customer service skills.
• 2. Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• 3. Commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity.
• 4. Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe Acrobat.
• 5. Working knowledge of Crystal Reports.
• 6. Independent self-starter with strong work ethic.
• 7. Experience in work settings requiring teamwork and high-volume assignments.
• 8. Willingness to embrace new technology and adapt to new rules and regulations in ever evolving area of sponsored programs.
• 9. Ability to manage priorities and meet multiple daily deadlines.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

• 1. Routine deadlines; variance in work volume seasonal and predictable; priorities can be anticipated; some interruptions are present; involves occasional exposure to demands and pressures; infrequent evening and weekend work is required.
• 2. Job frequently requires sitting, reaching, talking, hearing, and handling objects.
• 3. Job occasionally requires standing, walking, stooping/kneeling/crouching/crawling, and lifting to 25 pounds.
• 4. Vision requirements: Ability to see information in print and/or electronically.

Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution. Discrimination is prohibited in university employment, programs or activities based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other status to the extent protected by applicable law. Questions about equal opportunity programs or compliance should be directed to the Office of Civil Rights Compliance, 231 Famous Maroon Band Street, P.O. 6044, Mississippi State, MS 39762, [phone].

What do I do if I need an accommodation?

In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADA), if you have a disability and wouldlike to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi StateUniversity, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at tel: [phone] [e-mail] .

If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human ResourcesManagement at [phone] [e-mail] . Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.