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Research Accountant

Employer
STANFORD UNIVERSITY
Location
California, United States
Closing date
6 Apr 2021

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Note: Not all unique aspects of the job are covered by this job description 

Stanford University has changed the world, over and over again. We are one of Silicon Valley's largest employers and one of the most unique. Our mission is to educate future leaders and promote interdisciplinary, world-class research and teaching. This passion makes Stanford an intensely creative, rewarding, and challenging place to work. At the same time, our traditions of respect and collaboration sustain a humane, supportive environment in which to pursue your life and your career.  

Research—the creation of new knowledge—is key to Stanford’s educational mission. Stanford research has led to breakthrough remedies, devices, tools, and concepts, as well as 25 Nobel prizes for Stanford faculty. Among the inventions and discoveries that have resulted from Stanford research are MRI technology, DNA cloning, the Pill, heart transplantation, and digital music.  

The Office of Research Administration (ORA) manages the administrative processes related to the entire lifecycle of sponsored research from proposal submission through award closeout. ORA submits nearly 3,300 new proposals annually and manages more than 5,500 active sponsored projects.  

JOB PURPOSE: 

Perform post award accounting activities, establish and approve account set-up in the financial system, prepare interim and quarterly financial reports, invoice sponsors for expenditures, and fulfills sponsor financial reporting requirements. Ensures compliance with sponsor terms and conditions, University policies, and federal regulations and requirements. Provide limited signature authority to sign off on simple interim financial reports. Signature authority to sign off on all cost transfers. Has full authority to setup and baseline awards. 

CORE DUTIES*: 

  • Review and interpret legal documents for financial terms and conditions including but not limited to billing requirements, reporting, and spending restrictions. 
  • Review account set up in financial systems to ensure financial terms recorded with appropriate key attributes. Return for correction or correct account attributes as appropriate. 
  • Work collaboratively with Institutional Representatives, Accounting Associates, Administrators, and AR staff to clarify financial terms and ensure correct account setup, to ensure compliance with sponsor's requirements and university's policies. 
  • Prepare interim and quarterly financial reports for assigned departments or sponsor award range. Ensure reports are submitted timely to meet sponsor's requirements.  
  • Verify and perform analysis of PI's effort, cost sharing commitment, equipment purchases, administrative expenses, sub-awards, unallowable expenses, etc. Work with departments and process partners to resolve issues. 
  • Monitor sponsored project activity, including cost overruns, cost sharing and unallowable/administrative expenses, throughout project lifecycle to ensure compliance. 
  • Perform final award closeouts for assigned departments or sponsor award range.  
  • Perform detailed reconciliations and overall analysis of expenditures, resolve routine issues. Handle special or complex projects as assigned.  
  • Co-ordinate with AR billing staff to ensure all costs billed to sponsor, and final invoice is either generated by the system or later recorded in AR.  
  • Serve as a resource on grant and accounting procedures, University and sponsor's policies. 
  • Other duties may also be assigned. 

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Education & Experience: 

  • Four-year college degree and three years of relevant experience or combination of education and relevant experience. 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

  • Good knowledge of contract and grant procedures and ability to apply the accounting practices. 
  • Good accounting concepts and analysis of accounting transactions. 
  • Thorough understanding of key attributes in Oracle and its impact on reporting, billing, and recovering costs. 
  • Knowledge of Stanford research administration processes particularly post award research administration. 
  • Experienced with OMB Circulars A-21, A-110, A-133, Cost Accounting Standard (CAS), GAAP. 
  • Strong working knowledge of Excel. 
  • Experienced with Oracle /Stanford systems. 
  • Ability to independently diagnose and solve problems using sound judgment and decisionmaking abilities.  
  • Skilled to independently analyze accounting transactions and ability to reconcile financial information. 
  • Strong customer service skills. Working collaboratively with different process partners. 
  • Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.  

Certifications and Licenses: 

None 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS*: 

  • Constantly sitting, grasping lightly, use fine manipulation and performing desk-based computer tasks.  
  • Occasionally use a telephone.  
  • Rarely stand/walk, twist, bend, stoop, squat, write by hand, sort and file paperwork or parts, lift, carry push, and pull objects that weigh up to 10 pounds. 

WORKING CONDITIONS: 

  • May have occasional extended or weekend work hours during peak business cycles. 

WORK STANDARDS: 

  • Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations. 
  • Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned. 
  • Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University's Administrative Guide, http://adminguide.stanford.edu.

The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.

Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of his or her job.

Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Additional Information

  • Schedule: Full-time
  • Job Code: 4471
  • Employee Status: Regular
  • Grade: G
  • Requisition ID: 87928

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