Post-Award Accountant

University of Wisconsin; Madison (WI); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Wisconsin–Madison is seeking a Post-Award Sponsored Programs, Grants & Contracts Accountant to join the Russell Labs Administrative Service Center. The role provides fiscal support to Entomology, Forest and Wildlife Ecology, and Plant Pathology for sponsored and non-sponsored funding, partnering with the Financial Manager and hub team.

The position emphasizes adaptability, collaboration, and improving financial reporting within Workday.

Qualifications

• Minimum of two (2) years of financial management or post award accounting experience in a higher education, governmental or nonprofit setting.
• Demonstrated experience preparing account reconciliations or financial schedules.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets and prior experience incorporating formulas (Lookups, Sumifs, Index, Match, etc.) into spreadsheets.

Responsibilities

• Assists principal investigators with financial management of sponsored program budgets and directs day-to-day fiscal transactions.
• Provides expertise and advice related to procurement and allowable charges.
• In consultation with the Financial Manager and Department Administrator, assists in preparing departmental budgets and financial projections.
• Prepares and processes financial reporting and/or invoicing information.
• Serves as a financial resource in answering questions and ensures compliance with university policies and procedures and with award terms and conditions.
• Serve as the Russell Labs subject matter expert for internal and external non-sponsored billing.
• Assists in preparing departmental budgets and financial projections.
• Reviews and/or approves financial transactions such as billing, cost allocations, cost transfers, refunds, payments, and the fiscal closeout of sponsored and non-sponsored funds on behalf of Russell Labs while ensuring compliance with university, sponsor, and regulatory requirements.
• In collaboration with the Financial Manager and the Post-Award Financial Manager, assist Principal Investigators with the financial management of sponsored and non-sponsored funds.
• Prepares and analyzes financial data and schedules, reviews financial expenditures for accuracy and allowability, identifies and communicates discrepancies, and investigates, recommends, and implements solutions as needed.
• Assists principal investigators with financial management of non-sponsored budgets and day-to-day fiscal transactions.
• Reviews financial expenditures for accuracy on sponsored grants and contracts

Skills

Financial management

Post-award accounting

Excel formulas (Lookups, Sumifs)

Education

Associate degree in finance, accounting or business-related field

Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting or business-related field (preferred)

Job description

Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process.

Job Category:

Academic Staff

Employment Type:

Regular

Job Profile:

Post-Award Sponsored Programs, Grants & Contracts Accountant (Dept/Center)

Job Summary:

The Post Award Accountant plays an integral role on the financial team of the Russell Labs Administrative Service Center ("The Hub"), providing fiscal support to the Departments of Entomology, Forest and Wildlife Ecology, and Plant Pathology in support of their research, instructional, and outreach missions.

We are seeking a colleague who is adaptable, collaborative, and motivated to enhance financial reporting and business processes as the University continues to develop and enhance operations within the Workday environment.

This position offers a unique opportunity to provide fiscal support to Russell Lab Departments and faculty for sponsored and non-sponsored funding and works closely with the Russell Labs Financial Manager, Financial Specialist, Post Award Financial Manager, other Hub members, and faculty.

Successful candidates for this position will possess the following skills and attributes:

• Customer service focus with the ability to provide accurate, responsive support and work collaboratively among unique groups
• Ability to multitask and independently determine priorities
• A strong financial or post-award background
• Effective organizational skills and attention to detail

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Assists principal investigators with financial management of sponsored program budgets and directs day-to-day fiscal transactions

• Provides expertise and advice related to procurement and allowable charges

• In consultation with the Financial Manager and Department Administrator, assists in preparing departmental budgets and financial projections

• Prepares and processes financial reporting and/or invoicing information

• Serves as a financial resource in answering questions and ensures compliance with university policies and procedures and with award terms and conditions

• Serve as the Russell Labs subject matter expert for internal and external non-sponsored billing

• Assists in preparing departmental budgets and financial projections

• Reviews and/or approves financial transactions such as billing, cost allocations, cost transfers, refunds, payments, and the fiscal closeout of sponsored and non-sponsored funds on behalf of Russell Labs while ensuring compliance with university, sponsor, and regulatory requirements

• In collaboration with the Financial Manager and the Post-Award Financial Manager, assist Principal Investigators with the financial management of sponsored and non-sponsored funds

• Prepares and analyzes financial data and schedules, reviews financial expenditures for accuracy and allowability, identifies and communicates discrepancies, and investigates, recommends, and implements solutions as needed

• Assists principal investigators with financial management of non-sponsored budgets and day-to-day fiscal transactions

• Reviews financial expenditures for accuracy on sponsored grants and contracts

Department:

Russell Labs Admin Service Center

Compensation:

The salary range for this position is $65,000 to $85,000 annually, however, final salary will depend on experience and qualifications.

Employees in this position can expect to receive benefits such as generous vacation, holidays, and paid time off; competitive insurances and savings accounts; retirement benefits. Additional benefits information can be found at: 2026 Benefits Summary-Faculty, Academic Staff, Limited Appointees

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum of two (2) years of financial management or post award accounting experience in a higher education, governmental or nonprofit setting
• Demonstrated experience preparing account reconciliations or financial schedules
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets and prior experience incorporating formulas (Lookups, Sumifs, Index, Match, etc.) into spreadsheets

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated knowledge of federal award compliance requirements and sponsor terms and conditions
• Demonstrated experience creating and analyzing financial reports
• Understanding of the full, post-award life cycle including expense and variance monitoring, no-cost extensions, re-budgeting, and closeout procedures
• Knowledge of UW Business & Finance or Research policies and procedures
• Working knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)

Education:

• Associate degree in finance, accounting or business-related field required
• Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting or business-related field preferred

Contact Information:

For questions, please contact Jared Slagle at [e-mail].

Institutional Statement on Diversity:

Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals. The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal OpportunityEmployer.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgroundsand encourage all qualified individuals to apply.

To request a disability or pregnancy-related accommodation for any step in the hiring process (e.g., application, interview, pre-employment testing, etc.), please contact the Divisional Disability Representative (DDR) in the division you are applying to. Please make your request as soon as possible to help the university respond most effectively to you.

Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct, including sexual violence and sexual harassment. The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7). The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. UW-Madison will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the University of Wisconsin Police Department.