Post-Award Accountant

University of Wisconsin-Madison; Madison (WI); On-site; USD 72,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Wisconsin‑Madison is seeking a Post-Award Sponsored Programs, Grants & Contracts Accountant to support the Russell Labs Admin Service Center. You will assist with budgets, financial reporting, and the management of sponsored and non-sponsored funds in collaboration with the hub team.

Ideal candidates have a strong post‑award background, Excel proficiency, and a collaborative, customer‑focused approach to provide accurate financial support within UW–Madison's Workday environment.

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) into spreadsheets.

Responsibilities

• Assists in preparing departmental budgets and financial projections.
• Reviews and/or approves financial transactions such as billing, cost allocations, cost transfers, refunds, payments, and closeout of funds.
• Prepares and analyzes financial data and schedules, reviews expenditures for accuracy and allowability, and communicates discrepancies.
• Collaborates with Financial Manager and Post-Award Financial Manager to assist PIs with financial management of funded accounts.
• Assists in preparing departmental budgets and projections; supports day-to-day fiscal transactions.
• Prepares and processes financial reporting and/or invoicing information.
• Reviews expenditures for accuracy on sponsored grants and contracts and ensures compliance with policies.

Skills

Customer service

Prioritization

Financial background

Attention to detail

Education

Associate degree in finance, accounting or business-related field

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Google Sheets

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 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
• 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
• 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
• In consultation with the Financial Manager and Department Administrator, assists in preparing departmental budgets and financial projections
• Assists principal investigators with financial management of non-sponsored budgets and day-to-day fiscal transactions
• Prepares and processes financial reporting and/or invoicing information
• Reviews financial expenditures for accuracy on sponsored grants and contracts
• Serves as a financial resource in answering questions and ensures compliance with university policies and procedures and with award terms and conditions
• Assists principal investigators with financial management of sponsored program budgets and directs day-to-day fiscal transactions
• Serve as the Russell Labs subject matter expert for internal and external non-sponsored billing
• Provides expertise and advice related to procurement and allowable charges

Department

Russell Labs Admin Service Center

Compensation

The starting salary for this position is $80,000 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 Opportunity Employer

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 backgrounds and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, visit the Human Resources Workplace Poster website.

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).

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