Senior Research Accountant

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

Benefits offered by this job

Childcare benefits

Wellness & Recreation Membership

Wellness Programs

Job summary

NC State University in Raleigh is seeking a Senior Research Accountant II to provide essential accounting and budgeting services for Principal Investigators, research staff, and graduate students. The role involves independent problem solving in budgeting, purchasing, travel, and contract/grants management.

You will interact with PIs, COS Office of Research, and Grant Accounting to ensure compliant financial processes and accurate reporting, using internal systems such as RADAR and PMR.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 12 accounting credits, or an associate degree with 12 accounting credits, or an equivalent combination.
• Certified Research Administrator (CRA) or working toward certification.
• Knowledge of Financial System and campus accounting software.
• Knowledge of departmental, University, State, and Federal accounting policies (including COST Accounting Standards).
• Ability to perform necessary mathematical calculations.
• Good communication skills and a courteous, professional demeanor.

Responsibilities

• Serve as liaison between PIs, department administrators, COS Office of Research, and Contract and Grant Accounting; attend meetings as needed.
• Audit and approve small purchase vouchers, interdepartmental transfers, travel reimbursements, HR actions, requisitions, purchase orders, and cost transfers.
• Regular review and audits for compliance and financial management on expenditures, contracts, and grants; daily budget expenditures review with summaries and recommendations.
• Monthly analysis to determine post-award actions needed.
• Quarterly reconciliation of grant accounts and summaries for PIs for re-budgeting.
• Quality control reviews of accounting technicians’ work.
• Interpret and apply Cost Accounting Standards and university policies.
• Stay current on Federal regulations and agency terms; use RADAR, WolfPack Reports, and PMR systems to adjust budgets.

Skills

Communication skills

Professional demeanor

Math calculations

Budget management

Google Suite

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor’s degree with 12 accounting credits

Associate degree with 12 accounting credits

Equivalent combination of training/experience

Tools

RADAR

WolfPack Reports

PMR systems

Job description

Senior Research Accountant

Anticipated Hiring Range $74,502 - $76,737

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

About the Department

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

Disclaimer: Perks and Benefit eligibility is based on Part-Time or Full-Time Employment status. Eligibility and Employer Sponsored Plans can be found within each of the links offered.

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

• 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.

Qualifications

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

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.

Visa Eligibility

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future sponsorship.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

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.