Accountant I - Research Administration

Educational and Experience Requirement

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or degree in Business related field from a four-year college. No prior experience required. A combination of education, experience, and training that would produce the required knowledge and abilities could be considered.

Nature & Purpose of Position

Performs simple post-award accounting and financial reporting, including recording, analysis, and reporting of financial data related to grants, as well as basic administrative operation duties for the Office of Research Administration (ORA), and provides post-award guidance to faculty and staff.

Primary Responsibilities

• Prepares invoices and reports for reimbursement from federal, state, and other agencies.
• Assembles data and prepares financial reports for State Controller’s Office and Federal agencies.
• Performs reconciliations for various accounts.
• Audits accounts, vouchers, cash receipts, and reports.
• Posts and establishes new accounts as needed.
• Enters transactions and runs computer programs.
• Handles budget and cash transfers to include fund transfers.
• Stays current on issues concerning Higher Education and Research Administration.
• Oversees and assembles data from books of original entry and control records pertaining to grants and contracts.
• Prepares and analyzes various special, quarterly, monthly, and ad hoc reports and invoices.
• Receives and processes payments from sponsors for reimbursement.
• Interprets and explains University policies/procedures related to post/award grant budgets and allowable spending.
• Identifies and incorporates continuous changes in federal, state, and/or local policies ensuring University and department compliance.
• Provides accurate and timely entry of budgetary transactions, including Electronic Personnel Action Forms (EPAFs) and payroll redistributions.
• Provides guidance and assistance to principal investigators and department staff to determine how to effectively implement grant projects.
• Examines compliance requirements to determine that Sam Houston State University (SHSU) meets all guidelines and adheres to various sponsor regulations.
• Performs evaluations as needed to adjust grant budgets per sponsor guidelines.
• Assists with project closures and record retention management to ensure contractual obligations and compliance requirements are met, including assisting with various internal and external audit reviews.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Other Specifications

Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws. Communicates with other university departments, personnel, and other agencies. Ability to gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze facts.