Senior Research Accountant

NC State University; Raleigh (NC); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 77,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

Flexible Spending Account

Retirement Programs

Disability Plans

Life Insurance

Paid Time Off

12 Holidays Each Year

Tuition and Academic Assistance

Childcare benefits

Job summary

NC State University in Raleigh, NC, seeks a Senior Research Accountant II to provide essential budgeting and accounting services to principal investigators, research staff, and students. This role manages budgets, travel, and contract/grant administration with a focus on compliance and accuracy.

Join a COS Research Office-based team offering flexible work arrangements, including hybrid options. Requires a Bachelor’s degree with accounting coursework and related experience; CRA is preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 12 credit hours of accounting coursework or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Knowledge of financial systems and accounting policies, including Cost Accounting Standards.
• Certified Research Administrator (CRA) or working towards certification is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide budgeting and accounting services to PIs, researchers, staff, and graduate students.
• Audit and approve vouchers, interdepartmental transfers, travel reimbursements, HR actions, requisitions, POs, and cost transfers.
• Regularly review compliance and financial management of contracts and grants; conduct quarterly reconciliations and provide summaries to PIs.

Skills

Budgeting

Auditing

Financial reporting

Communication

Problem solving

Team collaboration

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor’s degree with accounting coursework

Associate degree in Accounting

Associate degree in Business with 12 accounting hours

Tools

RADAR

WolfPack Reports

PMR systems

Job description

Senior Research Accountant

$74,502 - $76,737

Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm, Flexible work arrangements may be available, including virtual/hybrid work locations.

Raleigh, NC

COS - Research

The College of Sciences (COS) brings together the mathematical, physical, and biological sciences in a research-intensive environment that simultaneously values excellence in teaching and strong community engagement. The COS Research Office is the nucleus of research administration and support, providing a full suite of pre- and post-award services to enhance the research, teaching, administrative, and outreach functions of the College. Key office responsibilities include proposal development and submission, portfolio management, effort reporting, and responding to departmental and faculty post-award and other research administration needs. While working in this unit, you will be expected to foster a supportive and welcoming environment.

NC State promotes an integrated approach to problem solving that transforms lives and provides leadership for social, economic, and technological development across North Carolina and around the world. NC State’s land grant mission of teaching, research and service is dedicated to the service of North Carolina and its people. Applicants are encouraged to review the institution’s mission, vision and strategic plan, and consider how their background, interest and experience would enable them to support the university.

Wolfpack Perks and Benefits:

As a Pack member, you belong here, and can enjoy exclusive perks designed to enhance your personal and professional well-being. As you consider this opportunity, we encourage you to review our Employee Value Proposition and learn more about what makes NC State the best place to learn and work for everyone.

What we offer:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision
• Flexible Spending Account
• Retirement Programs
• Disability Plans
• Life Insurance
• Accident Plan
• Paid Time Off and Other Leave Programs
• 12 Holidays Each Year
• Tuition and Academic Assistance
• And so much more!

Attain Work-life balance with our Childcare benefits, Wellness & Recreation Membership, and Wellness Programs that aim to build a thriving wolfpack community.

Essential Job Duties

As a Senior Research Accountant II in the Sciences Research Office, you will provide essential accounting and budgeting services to Principal Investigators (PIs), research associates, departmental staff, and graduate students. This role involves working independently to solve complex problems related to budgeting, purchasing, travel, and overall contract and grants management.

Key Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Serve as a liaison between PIs, department administrators, COS Office of Research, and Contract and Grant Accounting by attending new project award meetings and project status meetings as needed.
• Audit and approve small purchase vouchers, interdepartmental transfers, travel reimbursements, HR actions, requisitions, purchase orders, and cost transfers.
• Perform regular review and audits for compliance and financial management on departmental expenditures, contract terms and agency requirements for assigned contracts and grants.
  • Daily budget expenditures review, compiling summaries of activities and providing recommendations for budget allocations and adjustments
  • Monthly analysis to determine post-award actions needed
  • Quarterly reconciliation of grant accounts and provide summary to PI’s for re-budgeting purposes.
• Conduct quality control (QC) reviews of departmental accounting technicians’ work.
• Interpret and apply Cost Accounting Standards, University Policies, and Agency General and Specific Terms and Conditions.
• Stay current on Federal regulations, policies, guidelines, and agency-specific terms and conditions.
• Use internal software such as RADAR, WolfPack Reports, and PMR systems to review and adjust budgets.

Join us to make a significant impact on our research projects and support the advancement of scientific knowledge!

Other Responsibilities

Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Minimum Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree with 12 credit hours of accounting coursework; or Associate’s degree in Accounting; or Associate’s degree in Business or related discipline with 12 credit hours of accounting coursework; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

Other Required Qualifications

• Certified Research Administrator (CRA) or working towards certification
• Knowledge of the Financial System, and related accounting systems on campus
• Knowledge of departmental, University, State, and Federal accounting policies and procedures (including Cost Accounting Standards)
• Ability to perform necessary mathematical calculations.
• Good communication skills and a courteous and professional demeanor are expected and required for all forms of communication media (telephone, email, and personal contact)
• Previous financial management experience and the ability to effectively manage budget and related financial matters
• Experience Managing and reconciling grant accounts
• Previous working experience with Google Suite and Microsoft Office (Word and Excel)

Preferred Qualifications

• Working knowledge of departmental and University accounting policies and procedures

Required License(s) or Certification(s)

N/A

Valid NC Driver's License required

No

Commercial Driver's License required

No

Job Open Date

10/02/2026

Anticipated Close Date

10/15/2026; if posting is still active we are accepting and reviewing applications.

Position Number

00103356

Position Type

EPS/SAAO

Full Time Equivalent (FTE) (1.0 = 40 hours/week)

1.0

Appointment

12 Month Recurring

Mandatory Designation - Adverse Weather

Non Mandatory - Adverse Weather

Mandatory Designation - Emergency Events

Non Mandatory - Emergency Event

Department ID

170501 - COS - Research

EEO

NC State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal opportunities for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, and veteran status. The University encourages all qualified applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities, to apply. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919-513-0574 to speak with a representative of the Office of Equal Opportunity. If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at [phone] or [e-mail]. Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit. NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.