Research Accountant at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in Milwaukee, WI

Job description

Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process. Position Title: Research Accountant Job Category: Academic Staff Employment Type: Regular Job Profile: Accountant II Job Duties: The Research Accountant provides College-level post-award financial management and accounting support for sponsored projects within the College of Engineering & Applied Science (CEAS). Reporting to the Divisional Finance Officer, this position serves as a primary College financial resource for principal investigators (PIs), assisting faculty with the day-to-day financial management of their sponsored-project portfolios throughout the post-award lifecycle. The Research Accountant proactively monitors sponsored-project financial activity; prepares budget-to-actual reports, projections, and other financial analyses; assists PIs in developing spending plans; monitors payroll and other commitments; prepares or initiates costing allocations, payroll accounting adjustments, cost transfers, journal entries, and other accounting corrections; and supports effort reporting and other sponsored-project financial requirements. The position works closely with PIs, the Divisional Finance Officer, College leadership, departmental personnel, and the UWM Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP). The Research Accountant serves as the College-side financial partner to PIs while maintaining an appropriate separation between College financial management and the institutional oversight, review, approval, and other responsibilities performed by OSP. This position works collaboratively with the CEAS College Accountant and is cross-trained in general College accounting functions to provide backup support and ensure continuity of financial operations. Key Job Responsibilities: Sponsored Project Financial Management, Reporting, and Forecasting — 45% · Provide proactive post-award financial management support for an assigned portfolio of sponsored projects. · Regularly review and reconcile sponsored-project expenditures, budgets, balances, commitments, and other financial activity. · Prepare and provide PIs with recurring budget-to-actual reports and other financial reports that clearly communicate the financial status of their awards. · Develop projections and forecasts of sponsored-project expenditures through the project period, including anticipated salary, fringe benefits, student support, supplies, equipment, subawards, and other commitments. · Meet with and advise PIs regarding available balances, spending plans, projected financial results, and potential financial issues. · Monitor sponsored projects for deficits, unspent balances, unexpected expenditures, budget variances, approaching project end dates, and other issues requiring attention. · Identify financial concerns proactively and work with PIs, the Divisional Finance Officer, OSP, and other appropriate personnel to develop and implement solutions. · Assist PIs with financial planning related to rebudgeting, no-cost extensions, carryforward, cost sharing, and other post-award actions, coordinating requests with OSP as appropriate. · Assist with the financial aspects of sponsored-project closeout by reviewing accounts, identifying outstanding transactions or corrections, and coordinating necessary actions before project end dates. Sponsored Project Accounting, Payroll, and Effort Support — 30% · Prepare, initiate, and monitor accounting transactions associated with sponsored projects, including journal entries, cost transfers, costing allocations, payroll accounting adjustments, and other financial corrections. · Review sponsored-project transactions for appropriate funding, accounting classification, documentation, and consistency with University and sponsor requirements. · Monitor payroll charged to sponsored projects and compare payroll activity with approved budgets, anticipated effort, project periods, and avail