Research Accounting Analyst, Office of Sponsored Projects

The University of Texas at Austin•Austin, TX

About The Position

The Office of Sponsored Projects (OSP) serves as the coordinating office for externally funded research and sponsored projects at The University of Texas at Austin. The mission of OSP is to assist faculty and professional research staff in their efforts to secure and ensure proper stewardship of external funding. We do that by assisting research faculty and staff with the following: proposal review, authorization, and submission; award negotiations and acceptance; account management; close-out, reports, audits, collection; professional development and education; export control, and research compliance. UT Austin offers a competitive benefits package that includes: 100% employer-paid basic medical coverage Retirement contributions Paid vacation and sick time Paid holidays Eligible for telework Please visit our Human Resources (HR) website to learn more about the total benefits offered. Purpose Responsible for support and services to the Post-Award Grant Accounting Team in the Office of Sponsored Projects (OSP). Primary duties include preparation of invoices and reports, in collaboration with the Research Administrative Associates to ensure timely and accurate submission. Provide analytical review in reconciliation of financial invoicing/reporting, as well as initiating appropriate corrections in preparation for signature and submission. Requires strong communication skills, maintains frequent interaction with OSP team members, University departments, special groups, and external agencies.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field and at least 2 years of experience in the preparation of invoices or financial reporting.
Proven track record in account reconciliation.
Strong Microsoft Excel skills, including the ability to create complex spreadsheets.
Ability to analyze financial data and generate reports.
Strong problem-solving skills to address discrepancies and reconciliation issues.
High level of accuracy and attention to detail with financial data.
Experience using computerized online information resources.
Customer service experience with excellent problem-solving skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills to interact with sponsors and internal teams effectively.
Strong organizational skills to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
Willingness to learn and adapt to new technologies and processes in accounting.
Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and contribute to shared goals.
Ability to accept direction from several individuals and the flexibility to deal effectively with changing priorities.
Ability to take initiative and work with limited supervision to troubleshoot issues independently and to provide quick responses to UT departments and sponsors of research projects in an often-stressful environment.
Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Nice To Haves

A master’s degree or CPA certification.
More than 2 years of experience in the preparation of invoices or financial reporting in a sponsored projects office.
Demonstrated experience in billing and reporting of expenditures.
Experience with Microsoft Word and Outlook.
Experience using DEFINE.

Responsibilities

Billing and financial reporting to research sponsors including account reconciliation.
Researches account discrepancies in depth by analyzing various historical data, including financial records, invoices, and reports.
Prepares reconciliation of unbalanced accounts using internal financial systems.
Monitors sponsor portals and assists with billing and reporting portal submissions.
Communicates rejections, payment issues, communications, etc. to the appropriate parties from the data provided in the portal.
Alerts Grants Accounting Management of due dates, portal requirements, and other necessary information.
Provide information and assistance to Post-Award Awards Specialists, campus departments and sponsors of research projects awarded to the University.
Electronic file setup and updating account records for audit purposes.
Assists with various special projects and duties related to post-award financial management and reporting and/or special projects as assigned by Grants Accounting Management.
Other related functions as assigned.