Finance and Business Services - Contracts & Grants Accounting section

Full-time, fixed-term position through to July 2027. Base salary will be in the range $115,645 - $129,654 + 17% Superannuation (HEW Level 8). Based at our vibrant St Lucia campus.

About This Opportunity

Known locally as the Senior Principal Accountant (SPA), you will provide accurate, timely, and professional accounting and other support to the accounting and external reporting services of the Contract & Grants Accounting Section within Corporate Finance. Reporting to the Senior Manager of Contract and Grants Accounting, the SPA is responsible for the preparation of financial statements and acquittals in respect of external revenue and capital grant funding received at the University.

Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Prepare financial statements and acquittals for external project funding in accordance with contractual obligations; conduct audit transaction reviews and budget-to-actual analyses; liaise with auditors; and support the preparation of the University's annual financial statements and research data reporting.
• Analyse and interpret legal award letters and contracts to identify financial clauses and requirements, ensuring accurate recording in UQ's financial system for compliance.
• Advise on the integration and implementation of UQ Contract and Grants policies, procedures, and external funding requirements into project financial management.
• Provide accounting guidance on resolving complex grant reporting and reconciliation issues.

About UQ

As part of the UQ community, you will have the opportunity to work alongside the brightest minds, who have joined us from all over the world. Everyone here has a role to play. As a member of our professional staff cohort, you will be actively involved in working towards our vision of a better world. By supporting the academic endeavour across teaching, research, and the student life, you will have the opportunity to contribute to activities that have a lasting impact on our community. Join a community where excellence is at the core of our culture, contributions are valued and a range of benefits and rewards are available, such as: 26 weeks paid parental leave or 14 weeks paid primary caregiver leave, 17% superannuation contributions, 17.5% annual leave loading, access to flexible working arrangements including hybrid working options, flexible start/finish times, purchased leave, and a condensed fortnight, health and wellness discounts – fitness passport access, free yearly flu vaccinations, discounted health insurance, and access to our Employee Assistance Program for staff and their immediate family, UQ Study for Staff, on campus childcare options, cheap parking (from just $5.75 a day), salary packaging options.

About You

• A degree (preferably in Commerce or Business) with substantial relevant experience.
• Membership of a professional accounting body (e.g., CPA/CA).
• Experience in performing accounting reconciliations and the ability to prepare financial reports e.g., income and expenditure statements.
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to analyse complex contractual financial requirements and document them for viewing/use/compliance across UQ.
• Proven ability to work independently with broad supervision, exercising sound judgment and ownership, alongside strong organisational skills to prioritise tasks and consistently meet deadlines.
• Working knowledge of transaction auditing processes, accounting standards and their application in reporting processes.
• Advanced knowledge of common PC based applications, e.g., spreadsheets, databases, email, and word processing.
• Good interpersonal and written skills including effective liaison and consultative skills, the ability to write and prepare reports and communicate effectively with diverse groups, as well as represent and promote FBS at the University and wider community level, including Industry, Government, and professional bodies.

The successful candidate may be required to complete a number of pre-employment checks, including right to work in Australia, criminal check, education check etc. In addition, the following mandatory requirements apply: Work Rights: You must have unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this appointment to apply. Visa sponsorship is not available for this appointment. Background Checks: All final applicants for this position may be asked to consent to a criminal record check. Please note that people with criminal records are not automatically barred from applying for this position. Each application will be considered on its merits.

Want to Apply?

All applicants must upload the following documents in order for your application to be considered: Cover letter summarising how your background aligns to the ‘About You’ section, Resume.

Other Information

At UQ we know that our greatest strengths come from our diverse mix of colleagues, this is reflected in our ongoing commitment to creating an environment focused on equity, diversity and inclusion. We ensure that we are always attracting, retaining and promoting colleagues who are representative of the diversity in the broader community, whether that be gender identity, LGBTQIA+, cultural and/or linguistic, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with a disability, or age. Accessibility requirements and/or adjustments can be directed to talent@uq.edu.au.