Sponsored Programs Accountant

William & Mary and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science; Gloucester (MA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

William & Mary and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) seek a Sponsored Programs Accountant to monitor, reconcile, and analyze expenditures on sponsored awards, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and sponsor requirements.

This regular, benefited position is based in Watermen’s Hall at VIMS Gloucester and reports to the Office of Sponsored Programs, providing financial reporting, invoicing, and support for audits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in related field or equivalent education/experience.
• Knowledge of grants, contracts rules and regulations.
• Ability to interpret GAAP and Uniform Guidance.
• Ability to perform advanced financial analysis and reconciliations.
• Proficiency with accounting software and systems.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Monitor, reconcile, and analyze expenditures on sponsored awards for compliance.
• Prepare invoices and financial reports for sponsors; assist in audits.
• Develop financial analyses and reports for institutional leadership.

Skills

Communication skills

GAAP familiarity

Education

Bachelor’s degree in accounting/finance/business

Tools

Workday

Cayuse

Job description

Job Requisition:

JR101679 Sponsored Programs Accountant (Open)

Job Posting Title:

Sponsored Programs Accountant

Department:

CC00460 VIMS1 | DEAN | Office of Finance

Job Family:

Staff - Fiscal Administration

Worker Sub-Type:

Regular (benefited)

Job Requisition Primary Location:

Watermen’s Hall

Primary Job Posting Location:

Posting Location - VIMS Gloucester

Job Description Summary:

The mission of William & Mary’s Batten School of Coastal & Marine Sciences & Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) is to seek and broadly communicate knowledge in marine and coastal science to the Commonwealth of Virginia, the nation, and the world through research, education, and advisory service. The Batten School & VIMS make seminal advances in understanding coastal and marine systems through research and discovery, translate research findings into practical solutions to complex issues of societal importance, and provide new generations of researchers, educators, problem solvers, and managers with an education of unsurpassed quality.

The Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) partners with researchers across the institution to provide the best opportunity for researchers to be successful with obtaining and managing external awards.

OSP does this by facilitating all aspects of proposal submission, providing in-depth knowledge of and expertise in both pre and post award services, ultimately serving as stewards for the Institute’s overall research efforts.

Job Description:

Virginia Institute Marine Science (VIMS) Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) is charged with the management of all pre-award and post-award activities associated with extramural funding requested and received. The Sponsored Programs Accountant monitors, reconciles, and analyzes expenditures on sponsored awards to ensure compliance with federal, state, institutional and award-specified regulations, and guidelines. Prepares and submits invoices and financial reports for sponsors and assists in providing supporting documentation for financial audits. Develops and provides institutional leadership with financial and analysis reports.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and sponsor rules and regulations related to grants and contracts.
• Ability to interpret Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and OMB’s Uniform Guidance as it relates to institutions of higher education.
• Ability to complete advanced analysis and reconciliation of financial data.
• Strong working proficiency in a variety of computer applications including advanced knowledge of automated accounting / financial systems.
• Proven ability to work in a fast-paced environment, independently, resolve issues effectively, and exercise sound judgment when making decisions.
• Strong oral and written communication skills with the ability to communicate with a varied constituency (e.g., senior faculty researchers, technical staff, students, departmental fiscal personnel, and representatives from external agencies).
• Strong organizational skills, with the demonstrated ability to successfully manage multiple priorities concurrently with competing deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or business administration.
• Experience in accounting or sponsored programs administration at an institution of higher education.
• Experience using Workday (finance /accounting module) and/or Cayuse.
• Demonstrated knowledge of federal regulations governing grants/contracts including 2CFR200 (Uniformed Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards) and Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), with the demonstrated ability to interpret guidelines, regulations, and complex documents and apply policies and procedures.
• Strong proficiency with web-based payment, and awards management systems (e.g.,ASAP,ACM$) or other similar web-based applications.
• Knowledge of Commonwealth of VA state university policies.

Conditions of Employment:

• This position is subject to additional hours beyond the typical workday/week to meet the changing business needs.
• This position is subject to occasional travel.
• This is a restricted position, subject to the continued availability of funding.

Additional Job Description:

Performs work of varied and considerable difficulty requiring advanced data collection, analysis, forecasting, and compiling and writing reports.
Applies knowledge of accounting principles, auditing standards, budgeting practices, public administration, and/or legal and regulatory compliance.
Interacts frequently with internal and external senior officials, professionals, and the public requiring a high level of communication skills to analyze or resolve issues.
Develops, interprets, and/or evaluates compliance with policies and procedures.

Job Profile:

JP0177 - Financial Specialist II - Exempt - Salary - S10

Qualifications:

Compensation Grade:

S10

Recruiting Start Date:

2026-05-08

Position Restrictions:

Restricted Funds

EEO is the Law. Applicants can learn more about William & Mary’s status as an equal opportunity employer by viewing the “Know Your Rights” poster published by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. https://

www.eeoc.gov/know-your-rights-workplace-discrimination-illegal

Background Check:

William & Mary is committed to providing a safe campus community. W&M conducts background investigations for applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations include reference checks, a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial (credit) report or driving history check.

Remote Work Disclaimer:

Remote work eligibility is not guaranteed and is subject to approval. Employee eligibility depends on the likelihood of the employee succeeding in a remote work arrangement and the supervisor’s ability to manage remote workers. Departments and/or Human Resources may amend, alter, change, delete, or modify eligibility.