Details

Posted: 2026-06-10

Location: Baltimore, Maryland

Categories: Staff/Administrative

We are seeking a Sponsored Project Accountant who will require a working knowledge of accounting principles, 2CFR 200, FAR, and other agency specific regulations and an understanding of the life cycle of an award. Under guidance, will be responsible for the full life cycle of basic research awards from NIH and other federal agencies, e.g. R01’s. Basic research awards are typically less complex, with standard reporting and fewer and less complicated rules and regulations. Under guidance, interact with department administrators and contacts at external agencies. Once priorities are set, perform tasks independently with regular process updates.

Sponsored Projects Shared Service Center is responsible for the fiscal administration of all awards (grants, contracts and cooperative agreements) made to the University by governmental and private agencies. Additionally, the department is responsible for related compliance of all divisions of the University. Functions include sponsored award setup, sponsored award financial reporting, and sponsored award closeout.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

Establish master data for awards in ERP system
Review the notice of award that is received from Research Administration in the document management system (Oculus) for terms and conditions in order to establish the award in the ERP system.
Establish master data in the ERP system by interpreting the terms and conditions from notice of award in order to comply with laws, regulations, policies and procedures.
Establish budget data in ERP system based on the information from the notice of award in order to provide a level of control for revenues and expenditures charged to the award.
Execute the financial reporting process
Routinely execute reports by utilizing standard formatted reports in order to identify reports and prioritize workload.
Generate data reports by award to obtain revenue and expenditure information in order to begin the financial reporting process.
Analyze data reports by comparing revenue and expenses to information in the notice of award and previously submitted financial reports in order to complete the financial report accurately. Verify accuracy of itemized charges, account numbers, and total costs. Review account information to verify balances for departments.
Interpret financial transactions and events for users who must make economic or business decisions.
Collaborate with departmental personnel by sending draft financial reports to the department in order to obtain department approval before submitting financial reports to the sponsoring agency.
Verify documents for completeness and compliance with government and private agencies.
Submit financial reports to the sponsoring agency per the terms and conditions of the award.
Monitor awards for master data changes, compliance issues and overall quality assurance
Update master data due to changes in the terms and conditions of an award in order to comply with laws, regulations, policies and procedures.
Update budget data due to changes in the terms and conditions of an award in order to maintain the level of control for revenues and expenditures being charged to the award.
Communicate with departmental personnel to obtain documentation necessary to support expenditures or revenues required as a result of an audit inquiry.
Monitor costing compliance on research grants and contracts; perform various procedures on sponsored awards to maintain compliance with applicable regulations and award terms (e.g. appropriate treatment of administrative costs, unallowable costs, rebudgeting restrictions, etc.)
Execute the award closeout process
Analyze the award’s revenues and expenditures by executing a data report to ensure that the data matches the financial report submitted to the sponsor.
Communicate with departmental personnel to resolve any outstanding encumbrances that need to be removed to formally close the award.
Update the master data including the budget to formally close the award from accepting any further revenues or expenditures.
Provide customer service support to the user community.
Utilize interpersonal communication skills to address a wide range of questions from departmental personnel regarding sponsored awards in order to ensure compliance with laws, regulations, policies and procedures.
Respond to inquiries from internal and external sources and review accounting transactions to locate and resolve discrepancies.
Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Business, Finance or related field.
If bachelor's degree is in unrelated field, two years of progressively responsible experience is required.
Additional education may substitute for required experience and additional related experience may substitute for required education beyond a high school diploma/graduation equivalent, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

Preferred Qualifications

Some familiarity with and an awareness of laws and regulations that apply to accounting functions, and those required to ensure compliance.
Proficiency in the use of financial software applications, databases, spreadsheets, and word processing.
Ability to use various software applications, such as spreadsheets, relational databases, statistical packages, and graphics packages to assemble, manipulate, and/or format data and/or reports.

Technical Skills & Expected Level of Proficiency

Accounting Software - Developing
Attention to Detail - Developing
Financial Reporting and Analysis - Developing
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles - Developing
Grants and Contracts Management - Developing
Grant Regulations - Developing
Interpersonal Skills - Developing

Sponsored Project Accountant

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