Job Details

Sponsored Project Accounting Coordinator or Specialist
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Position Number: 5816896
Location: Boulder, CO
Position Type: Business and Financial Management

Sponsored Project Accounting Coordinator or Specialist

Requisition Number: 60595
Location: Boulder Colorado
Employment Type: University Staff
Schedule: Full Time
Posting Close Date: 02-Dec-2024
Date Posted:

Job Summary

JILA encourages applications for a Sponsored Project Accounting Coordinator or Specialist whose primary responsibility is for sponsored project accounting and administration focused primarily on award issuance (post-award) to close out for assigned sponsored projects, and for managing the financial, billing and accounting records for grants and general funds.

This position is being offered at two levels depending on the experience of the selected candidate. Work between these levels will be distinguished based on the complexity of the research portfolios assigned and the independence of work. At the Coordinator level, this position will be provided training in JILA administrative and contractual processes, research software systems and databases and pre- and post-award administration for JILA's main sponsors.
The University of Colorado Boulder is committed to building a culturally diverse community of faculty, staff, and students dedicated to contributing to an inclusive campus environment. We are an Equal Opportunity employer, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are

JILA was founded in 1962 as a joint institute of CU Boulder and NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology). JILA staff, fellows, students and scientists work together as a team to support and advance research at the frontiers of science. JILA's fellows include two Nobel laureates, Eric Cornell and John Hall.

JILA's CU members hold faculty appointments in the Departments of Physics; Astrophysical and Planetary Science; Chemistry and Biochemistry; and Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology; as well as in the School of Engineering (JILA pays for summer research, funding 32 Fellows). NIST's Quantum Physics Division members hold adjoint faculty appointments at CU in the same departments. Each year, JILA scientists publish more than 200 original research papers in national and international scientific journals & conference proceedings.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Prepare documents and assist assigned JILA Fellows and the JILA Proposal Analysts with the preparation of required documents for funding proposals, including budgets, budget justifications, and current and pending budget revisions.
Serve as a resource in researching, coordinating and collaborating a wide variety of sponsored project topics including grants, contracts, sub-award contracts, fixed price contracts and funding mechanisms from private sponsors. Provide advice to JILA administration and Principal Investigators on complicated or unusual projects or requirements.
Ensure all expenditures on assigned awards are appropriate, allocable, and reasonable, and within JILA, CU and sponsor standards. This can include:

Reviewing purchases and transactions for allowability, including approval of expense reports and travel authorizations
Ensuring appropriate documentation is present for sensitive and other expenditures
Verifying outstanding obligations
Researching issues as they arise

Coordinate post-award administration for assigned projects including:

Project start-up activities (i.e. pre-award cost allowability; establish CU project speedtype; coordinate project kick-off meetings with the PI and key research personnel)
Review of award documents for special requirements
Project closeouts, including property reports
No-cost extensions and award actions
Coordination with the Campus Controller's Office, Office for Contracts & Grants and sponsors
Review accounting and budget records for accuracy and make corrections via journal entry if/as needed

Maintain an awareness and understanding of award terms and conditions within the assigned research portfolio
Monitor and process payments related to subawards, communicating regularly with subaward recipients and associated administrative staff to ensure accuracy and completeness.
Reconcile, analyze and project accurate available funding levels; process journal entries, approve travel and purchases to support sponsored projects.
Maintain accounting records to accurately reflect financial activity occurring in grants and general funds and for preparing related financial analyses and reports as needed for multiple PIs; ensuring all timelines for reports are met.
Actively contribute to the development of JILA procedures, and forms, training others and ensuring compliance.
Review and monitor documentation associated with awards in InfoEd, extracting detailed information relevant to award management.
Develop and maintain strong relationships with PIs, researchers, JILA Fellows, students, and staff.
Communicate with the PI regularly to ensure all financial aspects of the award are proactively managed.
Provide consistent and high-quality customer service to researchers.

What You Should Know

During the initial training period, the work modality for this position will be primarily onsite. After the training period, a hybrid schedule is available with at least 3 days per week in the office.

What We Can Offer

Coordinator: $50,000-$57,000
Specialist: $60,000-$75,000
Relocation is available for eligible candidates.

Benefits

The University of Colorado offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO Pass. The University of Colorado Boulder is one of the largest employers in Boulder County and offers an inspiring higher education environment. Learn more about the University of Colorado Boulder.

Be Statements

Be informed. Be resourceful. Be Boulder.

What We Require

Sponsored Project Accounting Coordinator:

Bachelor's Degree in accounting, business or related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience may substitute.
Related work experience.

Sponsored Project Accounting Specialist:

Bachelor's Degree in accounting, business or related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience may substitute.
1+ years of experience in research/grant administration and/or sponsored projects, finance, accounting, or related experience.

What You Will Need

Outstanding written and verbal communication skills. Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with a variety of persons.
Ability to work as part of a team to solve problems and achieve goals.
Ability to optimally track and monitor many concurrent projects and tasks.
Ability to contribute to an optimistic and constructive work climate and an appreciation for individual differences in people.
Proficiency in Excel and accounting software and a basic understanding of database systems.
Understanding of, and ability to interpret, financial information and reports.

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials:

A current resume.
A current cover letter.

You will not be asked to upload references at this time. Please apply by 12/2/24 for consideration. Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, applications must be submitted through CU Boulder Jobs.
In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

To apply, visit https://jobs.colorado.edu/jobs/JobDetail/Sponsored-Project-Accounting-Coordinator-or-Specialist/60595