Sponsored Research Accountant 2

University of Cincinnati; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition remission

Retirement plans

Work-life balance

Health coverage

Flexible spending accounts

Professional development

Job summary

University of Cincinnati is seeking a Sponsored Research Accountant II to manage day‑to‑day grants, salary reallocations, and effort certification. You will liaison between PIs and research staff to ensure GAAP compliance and timely financial reporting.

Responsibilities include approving cost transfers, overseeing labor verification, and maintaining grant records across multiple fund sources while supporting post‑award activities and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance required.
• Six years of relevant work experience may substitute for the education requirement.

Responsibilities

• Review and approve salary cost transfer requests and related personnel changes.
• Oversee labor verification by managing training and overdue statements.
• Administer grant awards and maintain accurate grant records.
• Close out grant accounts, reconcile, and prepare final reports and invoices.
• Review award notices and manage grant accounts, budgets, and award set‑ups in systems.
• Maintain a portfolio of moderately complex awards and serve as a knowledge resource on policies.
• Suggest process improvements and participate in departmental discussions.
• Perform other duties as needed.

Skills

Salary cost transfers

Labor verification

Grant administration

GAAP knowledge

Budget management

Communication skills

Process improvements

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Accounting/Finance

Job description

Current UC employees must apply internally via SuccessFactors

About Government Cost Compliance

The Government Cost Compliance department (GCC) in the Office of Research ensures university-wide compliance with applicable federal cost principles and established university policies.

Job Overview

The GCC department is seeking to fill a Sponsored Research Accountant 2 position. This role will manage financial aspects of research grants and sponsored projects, ensuring compliance with institutional policies, sponsor regulations, and generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). The position serves as the liaison between Principal Investigators (PIs) and research administrators, providing guidance on post‑award financial matters related to salary reallocations and effort certification. It involves day‑to‑day administration of grants, including managing salary transfer requests and ensuring effort certification compliance.

Essential Functions

• Review and approve salary cost transfer requests, verifying accuracy and approving associated personnel change requests.
• Oversee labor verification processes by managing required employee training, issuing notifications for overdue statements, and resolving issues that prevent statements from being generated or distributed.
• Administer grant awards from various funding agencies, establishing and maintaining accurate grant records and files.
• Close out grant accounts by reconciling accounts, sampling unusual transactions for compliance, preparing final invoices and reports, and ensuring non‑financial reports are submitted. Pursue collection of past‑due invoices.
• Review award notices, create and maintain grant accounts per agreements, add and modify budgets, and request award set‑up in the Student Financial Aid System.
• Manage a portfolio of moderately complex awards, serving as the principal source of information on grant policies, procedures, and financial policies.
• Recommend process improvements and provide input to departmental discussions.
• Perform other assigned duties based on departmental need. This job description may change at any time.

Required Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance or related field.
• Six (6) years of relevant work experience and/or other specialized training may be used in lieu of the education requirement.

Required Experience

Two (2) years of experience in accounting, finance, grants with customer service.

Additional Qualifications Considered

• Strong knowledge of salary cost reallocations and effort reporting requirements, preferably in a regulated or higher education environment.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to manage complex documentation and meet strict deadlines.
• Excellent organizational and time‑management skills with the ability to track multiple requests and processes simultaneously.
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to interact with employees at various organizational levels.

Physical Requirements/Work Environment

• Office environment; no specific unusual physical or environmental demands.

Application Process Information

A resume and cover letter are required as part of the application process. Attach these documents before submitting your application. Failure to provide these documents may result in your application not being considered.

To apply you must create a profile and submit a complete job application through the UC applicant portal. We are unable to consider applications submitted via other websites. For questions about the UC recruiting process or to request accommodations, contact UC HR at [e-mail].

Compensation and Benefits

UC offers an exceptional benefits package designed to support your well‑being, financial security, and work‑life balance. Highlights include:

Comprehensive Tuition Remission

UC provides tuition remission for you and your eligible dependents, covering tuition costs for nearly all undergraduate and graduate programs offered by the university.

Robust Retirement Plans

As a UC employee, you will choose between state pension plans or an Alternative Retirement Plan, with UC contributing 14–18% of your salary based on position.

Real Work‑Life Balance

UC prioritizes work‑life balance with a generous time‑off policy, including vacation and sick time, 11 paid holidays, additional end‑of‑year paid time off, and 6 weeks of paid parental leave for new parents.

Additional Benefits Include:

• Competitive salary based on experience.
• Comprehensive health coverage (medical, dental, vision, prescription).
• Flexible spending accounts and wellness programs.
• Professional development and mentorship opportunities.

Equal Opportunity Employer

UC is an E‑Verify employer. If hired, you will be required to provide satisfactory proof of employment eligibility by providing acceptable, original forms of identification for employment verification via the Federal I‑9 employment verification process.

Equal Opportunity Employer. Building a workplace where all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment, including Individuals with Disabilities and Protected Veterans.