Job Description

The Research Accountant provides leadership for research administration and is primarily responsible for post-award sponsored research administration. This position will also be expected to provide pre-award sponsored research administration support as needed to assist the pre-award Grants Specialist during times of heavy volume or quick turn-around deadlines. Job duties include: assigning salaried personnel to sponsored research funding; tracking research converted appointments; managing summer research funding for Principal Investigators; projecting expenditures and rebudgeting projects as needed; preparing journal entries and personnel changes for sponsored projects; preparing financial reports for cost sharing and other sponsored research obligations; completing project transfers, no-cost time extensions, and letters of guarantee; overdraft monitoring and correction; and cost share tracking and documentation. This position works closely with the department's Grant Specialist to ensure proposal budgets are compliant with department policies. This position coordinates effort report certifications each semester and will resolve any issues raised. This position will assist the Graduate Student Coordinator in resolving sponsored funding issues for graduate students. The successful candidate will be proactive, collaborative, and adaptable in order to effectively manage a department with a diverse portfolio of sponsors and approximately 40 - 45 faculty members serving as active Principal Investigators.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, business administration or related field or equivalent level of training and/or experience.
• Experience providing administrative support for research projects.
• Knowledge of federal and nonfederal regulations and guidelines in a university setting or in a similar agency with research funding.
• Experience in budgeting and the use of spreadsheets for financial tracking and analysis.
• Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, and Outlook).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with federal and nonfederal grants and/or contract regulations.
• Experience with Virginia Tech systems such as Banner, MicroStrategy financial reports, Award Management System, and Labor Redistribution system.
• Knowledge of university administrative, accounting practices, policies and procedures.
• Professional designations such as Certified Research Administrator (CRA); Certified Federal Contracts Manager (CFCM).