Research Grant Administrator

WICHITA STATE UNIVERSITY; Wichita (KS); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Wichita State University is seeking a Grants Accountant to join the Office of Research Administration on the Wichita campus. You will perform post‑award grant activities, monitor budgets, ensure compliance, and provide financial support to Principal Investigators.

The role requires a bachelor's degree in accounting/finance/business and at least three years of related experience; graduate coursework can substitute for experience. Strong analytical and communication skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in accounting, finance, business or related field.
• Three years of accounting/finance/compliance experience; graduate coursework substitutes for experience at 15 hours per year.
• Strong analytical abilities and knowledge of sponsor rules and policies.

Responsibilities

• Analyze, review and approve detailed expenditure transactions within grant criteria.
• Ensure payroll and cost share commitments compliance; manage reporting and billing.
• Establish grant awards in University financial systems and prepare life‑to‑date spend reports.
• Provide training to departmental staff and maintain confidentiality.

Skills

Analytical skills

Sponsor rules & regulations

Time management

Deadline-driven

Stakeholder communication

Consensus building

Multi-tasking

Discretion & confidentiality

Adaptability

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business or related field

Job description

Department: Office of Research Administration

Campus Location: Wichita, KS - WSU Main Campus

Hire Type: Full Time

Pay: Commensurate with experience

Work Schedule: Typically Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm; work is performed on-site and in person.

Export Compliance Requirement: This position requires access to EAR or ITAR controlled technologies. Applicants are required to be eligible for employment under U.S. export control laws and must meet the requirement of being a “U.S. Citizen”.

Job Story

In this position, you will work as part of a team administrating grants and supporting Principal Investigators. You will have grant assignments that are yours to set up, answer questions, maintain compliance, approve invoicing, payroll and reporting. Multitasking is the every day routine for this role making it challenging and never boring! Your role is crucial to the success of the projects supported by the grants that benefit community, science, and education.

Job Summary

Performs post award grant activities to ensure federal, state and industry compliance with all award and/or contract requirements by monitoring detailed budgets, analyzing expenditures for allowability and applicability, and providing financial and/or accounting support to the Principal Investigator.

Essential Functions

Analyzes, reviews and approves detailed expenditure transactions for payment within the grant award criteria. Ensures compliance with payroll and cost share commitments through research, reconciliation and review of financial data compared to University policies and contract agreements. Establishes grant awards within the University financial system, including but not limited to, parameters for industry defense contract allocations, cost share funds, billing dates, and revenue recognition. Prepares reports for Principal Investigators show life-to-date spend on the grant, remaining funds available, cost share commitments, etc. Prepares all financial reports as required by the granting agency. Provides training to departmental staff as required.

Required Education and Experience

Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business or related field.

Three (3) years of experience in accounting, finance, compliance, or related field. Every 15 hours of graduate college coursework beyond a bachelor's degree can be substituted for one (1) year of experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong analytic skills
• Knowledge of sponsors’ rules regulations, including ability to interpret laws, regulations, principles and policies
• Organized, detail oriented, and ability to prioritize and manage time effectively
• Ability to work effectively under time critical deadlines
• Ability to effectively communicate with many client stakeholders and make sound and reasoned decisions for strategic planning
• Ability to gain consensus and buy in from a varied group and move forward to achieve goals
• Ability to multi-task and work cooperatively as part of a team
• Ability to maintain discretion and confidentiality
• Ability to adapt to changing circumstances and priorities

Physical Requirements

Ability to remain in a stationary position. Ability to operate a computer and other office equipment including but not limited to phone, printers, copiers, and calculators. Ability to communicate with others and accurately exchange information.