Post-Award Accountant

University of Maryland; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 67,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement options

Professional development

Tuition remission

Flexible work schedules

Teleworking options

Job summary

University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) is seeking a Post-Award Accountant for a fixed-term Contingent II, 40-hour work week, funded through a 5-year cooperative agreement with the National Library of Medicine. The role focuses on post-award financial management, budgeting, forecasting, and reporting for grant programs.

The candidate will prepare financial reports, assist with audits, and liaise with program directors and the Sponsored Programs Administration to ensure compliance and timely

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business or related field with GAAP coursework.
• Two (2) years of accounting or budget experience, including grants administration preferred.
• Certified Research Administrator (CRA) or CPA preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain accounts using GAAP for post-award management and administration.
• Administer and maintain post-award accounts and verify transaction accuracy and policy compliance.
• Prepare financial reports for grant programs, including quarterly, annual, and final reports.
• Monitor expenditures against grant budgets and identify variances for sponsor compliance.
• Collaborate with program directors and SPA to support subawards and budgets.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

Financial analysis

Budget management

Communication skills

Auditing

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting/finance

Tools

Financial systems

Job description

Job Description - Post-Award Accountant (260000VT)

This is a fixed-term contractual (Contingent II) position scheduled to work 40 hours per week and may be eligible for subsidized health benefits coverage. This is a term-limited position funded through a 5-year cooperative agreement with the National Library of Medicine. Funding for the position is available through April 30, 2027. The successful candidate will join a team in Year 5 of the current agreement, with library leadership planning a competitive proposal for a future cooperative agreement.

The Post-Award Accountant plays a key role in the financial management of the grants, responsible for analyzing, monitoring, and reporting on grant budgets, preparing financial reports, and collaborating with program directors and other staff to ensure successful fiscal management of grant-funded projects.

Benefits

Contingent Category II staff receive a generous leave package that includes:

• Over 2 weeks of vacation each year, paid holidays, sick time, and time for community service
• Subsidized comprehensive health insurance and supplemental retirement options
• Professional learning and development programs
• Limited tuition remission for employees enrolled at UMB
• Life insurance and long-term disability
• Flexible work schedules and teleworking options (if applicable per job)

UMB is a public university and constituent institution of the University System of Maryland. All employees are expected to work primarily physically within the State of Maryland.

Application Process

UMB and HSHSL are deeply committed to building a community of excellence by embracing our core values. The HSHSL welcomes applications from all backgrounds including underrepresented minorities, persons with disabilities, sexual minority groups and other candidates invested in creating and enriching an inclusive environment through their work and interactions.

The HSHSL provides an intellectually exciting, collegial, and supportive environment that fosters interdisciplinary research and interprofessional opportunities.

Primary Duties

Budget Management & Financial Analysis (40%)

• Develop and maintain accounts using general accepted accounting principles (GAAP) to ensure accuracy and timely statements relating to post-award management and administration.
• Administer and maintain assigned post-award accounts to verify accuracy of transactions and uniform application of policies, procedures, and GAAP standards.
• Reviews terms and conditions of simple grants &/or contracts and seek clarifying questions as necessary.
• Prepare documents for submission reports and follow-up statements.
• Completes reconciliation of accounts.
• Manage cooperative agreement and subaward budgets (Network of the National Library of Medicine, Region 1 and Network Web Service Office), ensuring alignment with sponsor funding requirements and grant programs organizational goals.
• Monitor actual expenditures against grant budgets to identify variances and ensure compliance with grant restrictions.
• Conduct financial forecasting and provide analysis to grant program directors to inform decision-making and resource allocation.
• Meet monthly with program directors to review budgets.
• Assist with budget modifications and ensure timely submission of budget adjustments to sponsors as necessary.
• Perform analysis of grant program budgets, provide current and historical budget data to grant program expenditures.
• Process purchasing requests, invoices and payment requests related to grant programs and subaward project activities into financial systems.
• Advise program directors on all financial transactions, such as travel, purchasing and subcontracting.
• Prepare account reconciliations and financial statements to include actual budget variance explanations.
• Maintain and ensure comprehension of current Federal, State and sponsor guidelines and requirements.
• Review Request for Application (RFA) for financial requirements.
• Prepare and submit financial reports for grant programs in accordance with grant agreements, including quarterly, annual, and final reports.
• Ensure all grant-related financial documentation is accurate and complies with organizational policies and sponsor guidelines.
• A ssist in the preparation of audits and ensure that all required documentation is maintained for audit readiness.
• Track and report program expenditures, including payroll, operating expenses, and indirect costs.
• Serve as liaison to UMB Sponsored Programs Administration (SPA) office in meeting all award reporting requirements.
• Assist with reviewing and submitting carryforward documents and ad-hoc reporting requirements.
• Collaborate with program staff to provide financial guidance and support for subawards.
• Collaborate with program support coordinator on relevant grant financial and operational matters.
• Provide/advise on budgetary matters and to align with program goals.
• Support program administrators (Principal Investigator, Executive Directors, etc.) in interpreting financial information and addressing any budget-related inquiries or concerns.
• Collaborate with the Library Business Operations Specialist to ensure proper budgeting and accounting for the operation of the NNLM, Region 1 and NWSO programs.
• Travel to regional and national locations for conferences and meetings to support and promote NNLM, Region 1 and NWSO NNLM, as needed.
• Maintain and update financial records related to grants in the organization's financial management system.
• Ensure accurate and timely tracking of revenue, expenditures, and reimbursements for grant-funded projects.

Continuous Learning and Improvement (10%)

• Stay current on regulations, trends, and best practices related to grant financial management, including Federal and state regulations (e.g., OMB Uniform Guidance, GAAP).
• Recommend and implement process improvements to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of program financial management.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Education

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business or related field that required coursework in general acceptable accounting practices (GAAP).

Experience

Two (2) years of accounting or budget experience with at least one (1) year in research administration. Experience working with grants or grants administration such as Federal grants (i.e. NIH, HHS, etc.) preferred.

Certification/Licensure:

Certified Research Administrator (CRA) or Certified Public Accountant (CPA) preferred.

Other:

Financial disclosure reporting required by State of Maryland Ethics Committee. Willingness and ability to travel.

Except for qualifications established by law, additional related experience and formal education in which one has gained the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for full performance of the work of the job class may be substituted for the education or experience requirement on a year-for-year basis with 30 undergraduate college credits being equivalent to one year of related experience. In instances where specific education and/or experience is required only directly related education and/or experience may be substituted.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES

Knowledge of position requirements. Knowledge of all applicable requirements, regulations, and laws. Skill in effective use of applicable technology/systems. Ability to effectively communicate both verbal and written thoughts, ideas, and facts. Ability to work cooperatively with others and independently. Ability to demonstrate, understand, apply, and adhere to the UMB Core Values of Respect and Integrity, Well-being and Sustainability, Equity and Justice, and Innovation and Discovery.

Hiring Range

$67,000 - $70,000,commensurate with education and experience.

UMB is committed to cultivating a diverse and inclusive workforce and is proud to be an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard torace, color, religion, age, ancestry or national origin, sex, pregnancy or related conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, physical or mental disability, marital status, protected veteran's status, or any other legally protected classification.

If you anticipate needing a reasonable accommodation for a disability under the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), during any part of the employment process, please submit a UMB Job Applicant Accommodation Request . You may also contact [e-mail] . Please note that only inquiries concerning an ADA request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address.

The University of Maryland, Baltimore prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates. Individuals may report concerns or questions to the Title IX Coordinator. Read the UMB Notice of Non-Discrimination for more information.