Research Accountant

Drexel University; United States; Remote; USD 54,000 - 82,000; Full time

Job summary

Drexel University seeks a Research Accountant to analyze financial data and handle accounting duties related to sponsored projects. The role requires a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field and 1-3 years of experience. The successful candidate will ensure accuracy in financial records and support their team in managing grants and compliance.

Benefits

Generous vacation and paid time off

Free tuition for employees and dependents

Comprehensive health plans

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent work experience.
• 1-3 years of relevant experience in accounting.

Responsibilities

• Analyze financial information for sponsored project data.
• Reconcile grant funds and accounts to identify errors.
• Prepare journal entries and account analyses.

Skills

Financial analysis

Accounting

Communication

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Business, Accounting, or Finance

Tools

Microsoft Office 365

Banner Finance

COEUS

Job description

Located in the heart of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a world‐class, comprehensive, R1 research institution and a global leader in experiential education. For more than 100 years, our renowned Cooperative Education (co-op) program has enabled students to gain professional work experience before they graduate, setting them apart from their peers.

Committed to becoming the nation’s most civically engaged university, Drexel supports engagement along three dimensions: research and academic programs that directly benefit communities, business practices that support equitable local and regional economic development, and public service by students, faculty, and staff. Our engagement is long‐term, multigenerational, and fundamental to the University’s mission, heritage, and future.

At Drexel, we are devoted to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment that promotes healthy lifestyles and is based on integrity, trust, and respect. We center equity, inclusion and belonging, and incorporate an anti‐racism approach to our strategic plan, organizational systems, policies and structures.

Drexel offers its highly engaged faculty and professional staff a comprehensive and world‐class benefits package that includes generous vacation and paid time off as applicable (including civic engagement days), up to an 11% 403(b) Retirement Plan match with immediate vesting, and remote and flexible work options for many roles. Our exceptional medical plans include domestic partner and fertility assistance and our award‐winning A Healthier U wellness program. In addition, faculty and professionalstaff at Drexel enjoy free tuition for themselves and their dependents for Drexel degree programs, certification, and non‐certification programs. And as part of the tuition offering to employees, Drexel participates in a tuition exchange program for dependents with other higher education institutions. These are just a sample of our extensive benefit offerings. Please see this Benefits Brochure for more information.

Suspension of Drexel University's Contribution into 403(b) Retirement Plan

As communicated on Oct. 10, Drexel University is suspending its contributions to employee retirement plans for calendar year 2025 as part of its multi-year plan to build financial resilience. Drexel is continuing to monitor the situation and will share updates as they become available for calendar year 2026.

Research Accountant

Apply now Job no: 505286
Work type: Full-Time
Location: Remote
Categories: Drexel University, Office of the Provost

Job Summary

The Research Accountant is responsible for analyzing financial information and performing a variety of accounting duties associated with the timely and accurate preparation and reporting of sponsored project financial data, in accordance with applicable accounting, industry, regulatory, and institutional principles and policies. Finalist experience and skills will determine final position classification.

Essential Functions

• Ability to perform fund set-ups and fund modifications when needed.
• Research inquiries from Departmental Administrators and Principal Investigators regarding financial data, provide information and act as liaison with other administrative departments to ensure accurate recording of all transactions into the account ledger. Communicate with internal and external contacts to ensure accuracy of post-award support for fund administration. Communicate with sponsors and subcontractors regarding contract and/or budget modifications. Operate as a functional liaison in support of individual faculty, principal investigators, departmental administrators, and others integral to effective management of externally sponsored awards. Work with principal investigators and administrators to ensure accurate and timely processing of financial data.
• Analyze and reconcile grant funds and accounts to identify errors or discrepancies. Monitor and reconcile F&A charges and Fringe Benefit charges on sponsored project funds; Monitor budget variance and determine sponsor approval from terms and conditions of the award; Maintain the required financial record for each award.
• Review and approve no-cost extension requests, obtaining the approval from sponsors as necessary.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of sponsor regulations and policies; Understand federal compliance regulations and provide guidance to investigators and Departmental Administrators.
• Provide assistance to internal and external auditors and prepare supplementary analyses as required by auditors.
• Prepare account analyses utilizing review of account activity and support documentation.
• Review source documents (award terms and conditions, award budgets, COEUS budgets, etc.).
• Prepare journal entries as determined initially by the Manager or Assistant Director and, as experience progresses, as determined by the Research Accountant. Ensure routine journal entries are prepared timely and utilize accounting knowledge, judgment and reconciliation tools to identify transactions requiring non-routine journal entries.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of Bachelor's Degree in Business or Accounting or Finance or the equivalent combination of education and work experience.
  • Please review the Equivalency Chart for additional information.
• Minimum of 1-3 years of relevant experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience in research accounting in a non-profit and/or higher education environment.
• Demonstrated ability to use Microsoft Office 365 software (Office, Word, Excel, Access,
  and PowerPoint).
• Proficiency with Banner Finance, COEUS Lite, COEUS Premium, OnBase imaging system, Hyperion, and Banner WebFinance.
• Verbal, written, and interpersonal skills.

Physical Demands

• Typically sitting at a desk/table

Location

• Remote

Additional Information
This position is classified as Exempt, grade K. Compensation for this grade ranges from$54,630.00 to $81,940.00 per year. Please note that the offered rate for thisposition typically aligns with the minimum to midrange of this grade, but it can vary based on thesuccessful candidate’s qualifications and experience, department budget, and an internal equity review.

Special Instructions to the Applicant
Please make sure you upload your CV/resume and cover letter when submitting your application.

A review of applicants will begin once a suitable candidate pool is identified.

Advertised: Jun 25 2025 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: Jul 25 2025 Eastern Daylight Time

Drexel University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer that welcomes individuals from diverse and neurodiverse backgrounds and perspectives, and believes that an inclusive and respectful environment enriches the University community and the educational and employment experience of its members. The University prohibits discrimination against individuals on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, status as a veteran or special disabled veteran, gender identity or expression, genetic information, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions and any other prohibited characteristic. Please visit our Policies page to view all University policies related to Human Resources and News and Announcements for workplace postings.

Background investigations are required for all new hires as a condition of employment, after the job offer is made.

Drexel University, in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) publishes the Drexel University Security & Fire Safety Annual Report for current and prospective students and employees. This report contains important safety information and crime statistics for the previous three years. These statistics pertain to reported crimes that have occurred on campus, in certain non-campus buildings or properties that are owned or controlled by Drexel University, and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from the campus.

Printed copies of this report are also available by calling the Public Safety Administrative Office, 215.895.1550.

Additional information about the services provided by the Drexel University Department of Public Safety can be obtained by visiting their website.