Grants Specialist II (Remote) - Sponsored Projects Accounting

Washington University; Missouri; Hybrid; USD 53,000 - 91,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Metro transit U‑Pass

403(b) retirement plan

Wellness programs

Caregiver leave

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Washington University in St. Louis is hiring a Grants Specialist II to manage post-award financial administration for sponsored research. You will prepare reports and invoices in line with sponsor requirements and federal regulations.

The role requires detailed financial analysis, reconciliations, and close coordination with departments to resolve discrepancies. This position emphasizes accuracy, compliance, and audit readiness in a complex research environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; combination of education and/or experience may substitute for minimum education.
• No specific certification/professional license is required for this position.
• Relevant Experience (2 Years)

Responsibilities

• Prepare, review, and submit interim, annual, and final financial reports and invoices for sponsored projects in accordance with sponsor deadlines and University requirements.
• Reconcile sponsored project financial activity to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance with sponsor terms and conditions.
• Monitor awards to ensure timely financial reporting, accurate billing, and appropriate resolution of outstanding financial issues.
• Coordinate with departmental administrators, faculty, and central offices to resolve discrepancies, obtain supporting documentation, and address reporting questions.
• Assist with audit requests and provide supporting documentation for internal and external reviews as needed.
• Process accounting adjustments, correcting entries, and budget-related transactions as necessary to support accurate financial reporting.
• Support award closeout activities by reconciling financial records, identifying outstanding issues, and ensuring timely completion of sponsor closeout requirements.
• Maintain documentation related to financial reporting, sponsor correspondence, reconciliations, and supporting financial records.
• Monitor reporting schedules and prioritize workload to ensure compliance with sponsor and institutional deadlines, particularly for complex awards such as training grants, multi-PI projects, and awards involving subrecipients.
• Maintain current knowledge of sponsor regulations, Uniform Guidance, and institutional policies impacting sponsored project financial management.
• Participate in process improvement initiatives, training activities, and special projects related to sponsored research financial administration.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Analytical writing

Computer literacy

Customer service

Detail-oriented

Effective written communication

Financial information

General accounting

Independent decision-making

Internet research

Oral communications

Organizational processes

Organizational project management

Professional judgement

Project administration

Research administration

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

Location Remote, US Scheduled Hours 40 Position Summary The Grants Specialist II – Financial Team provides post-award financial administration and reporting support for sponsored research activity across the University. This position is responsible for the accurate preparation, review, and submission of financial reports and invoices for federal and non-federal sponsored awards while ensuring compliance with sponsor requirements, federal regulations, and University policies. Working independently on a portfolio of sponsored projects, this role performs detailed financial analysis, reconciles grant expenditures, monitors reporting deadlines, and supports award closeout activities. The Grants Specialist II serves as a resource to departmental administrators and faculty regarding financial reporting requirements, allowable costs, and sponsored project financial management. This position requires strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple deadlines within a complex and highly regulated research environment. The role contributes to the University’s stewardship of sponsored funds by supporting accurate financial reporting, compliance oversight, and audit readiness.

Job Description

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

• Prepare, review, and submit interim, annual, and final financial reports and invoices for sponsored projects in accordance with sponsor deadlines and University requirements.
• Reconcile sponsored project financial activity to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance with sponsor terms and conditions.
• Monitor awards to ensure timely financial reporting, accurate billing, and appropriate resolution of outstanding financial issues.
• Coordinate with departmental administrators, faculty, and central offices to resolve discrepancies, obtain supporting documentation, and address reporting questions.
• Assist with audit requests and provide supporting documentation for internal and external reviews as needed.
• Process accounting adjustments, correcting entries, and budget-related transactions as necessary to support accurate financial reporting.
• Support award closeout activities by reconciling financial records, identifying outstanding issues, and ensuring timely completion of sponsor closeout requirements.
• Maintain documentation related to financial reporting, sponsor correspondence, reconciliations, and supporting financial records.
• Monitor reporting schedules and prioritize workload to ensure compliance with sponsor and institutional deadlines, particularly for complex awards such as training grants, multi-PI projects, and awards involving subrecipients.
• Maintain current knowledge of sponsor regulations, Uniform Guidance, and institutional policies impacting sponsored project financial management.
• Participate in process improvement initiatives, training activities, and special projects related to sponsored research financial administration.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions

Job Location/Working Conditions Normal office environment Physical Effort Typically sitting at a desk or a table Repetitive wrist, hand or finger movement. Ability to move to on and off-campus locations Equipment Office equipment The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.

Required Qualifications

Education

Bachelor’s degree or combination of education and/or experience may substitute for minimum education.

Certifications/Professional Licenses

No specific certification/professional license is required for this position.

Work Experience

Relevant Experience (2 Years)

Skills

Not Applicable

Driver's License

A driver's license is not required for this position.

More About This Job

WashU seeks highly motivated individuals who are able to perform duties in a manner consistent with our core mission and guiding principles.

Preferred Qualifications

• Education: No additional education unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.
• Certifications/Professional Licenses: No additional certification/professional licenses unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.
• Work Experience: No additional work experience unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.
• Skills: Analytical Thinking, Analytical Writing, Computer Literacy, Customer Service, Detail-Oriented, Effective Written Communication, Financial Information, General Accounting, Independent Decision-Making, Internet Research, Oral Communications, Organizational Processes, Organizational Project Management, Professional Judgement, Project Administration, Research Administration

Grade G11 Salary Range $53,100.00 - $90,600.00 / Annually

The salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one's qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget.

Accommodation

If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email [e-mail] or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.

All qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

Pre-Employment Screening

All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position.

The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

Benefits Statement

• Personal Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.
• Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance.
• Take advantage of our free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees.
• WashU provides eligible employees with a defined contribution (403(b)) Retirement Savings Plan, which combines employee contributions and university contributions starting at 7%.
• Wellness wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, employee assistance program (EAP), financial resources, access to dietitians, and more!
• Family We offer 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with your new child.
• Family care resources are also available for your continued childcare needs.
• Need adult care? We’ve got you covered.
• WashU covers the cost of tuition for you and your family, including dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years with us.

EEO Statement

Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity. It is the University’s policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, citizenship (where prohibited by federal law), age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.

Community

Washington University in St. Louis' collective success is significantly attributed to the passion and outstanding efforts of our community. Our staff, faculty and trainees are committed to excellence and dedicated to carrying out our missions of research, teaching and patient care. WashU prides itself on being a place where people matter, and serious work is done. Our people work together in an inclusive community that celebrates diverse perspectives, collaboration and innovation. We are a community of individuals inspired to work together to develop big ideas and tackle challenging problems. We value the well-being of our people. WashU strives to create a positive employee experience where staff, faculty and trainees thrive, both personally and professionally. Our employees find meaning, connection and vitality in their work and life with a healthy work-life balance and support to learn, grow and make an impact at WashU, the community and the world.