Sponsored Projects Financial Specialist

Position Summary : The Sponsored Projects Financial Specials will perform pre-award and post-award accounting. Perform various functions for sponsored project proposals, grants, and contracts including budget and budget justification, actual vs budget reporting, review / monitor individual grants, transaction compliance, billing, journal entries, attend regular meetings with sponsored projects primary investigators, project directors and financial grant reporting through their final closing.

Essential Responsibilities :

The following specific tasks and responsibilities require prioritization and the development of action plans for implementation.

1. In cooperation with the Director of Sponsored Projects develop budgets and budget justification for grant proposals.

2. Plans, organizes, and coordinates the centralized accounting and financial processes for post-award, including an initial post-award / orientation meeting with the project director / primary investigator, establishing appropriate accounts in Colleague, forecasting, and a plan for expenditures.

3. Coordinates with administrative staff to ensure all forms are correctly and timely submitted and recorded to human resources for onboarding project staffing needs, summer salary, internships, fellowships, research assistants, course releases, and biweekly contractors.

4. Assist with desk audits of project directors, principal investigators, internal departments, and sub awardees to ensure compliance with Uniform Guidance and University policies.

5. Meet regularly with the project directors and primary investigators with sponsored projects to assure they are fulfilling financial responsibilities related to their projects and are following any applicable regulations.

6. Complete effort certification for all awards expensing salaries and / or wages to the project.

7. Prepares or assists in the preparation of all applicable fiscal reports for sponsored programs and ensures the timely submission thereof.

8. Coordinates with key personnel at all levels of the university to support proper and timely expenditure of grant funds in compliance with applicable guidelines and budget deadlines.

9. Maintains grant fiscal records and database.

10. Reviews and approve journal entries for program managers, assigns account codes and monitors charges for reasonableness and compliance with Uniform Guidance, University policies, and procedures.

11. Implement procedures to communicate, educate and ensure compliance with university policies and applicable grant regulations.

12. Monitors grant expenditures to ensure they are allowable, reasonable and in compliance with the granting agency’s regulations, state and university policies, and institute budget authority procedures.

13. Attends professional development training and stay abreast of the Office of Management

and Budget (OMB) Circulars and their applicability to grant management related audit, federal regulations, and state laws, and any workshops or seminars on grants or special revenues.

14. Completes journal entries and reconciles accounts; reviews, investigates, and corrects errors.

15. Cross trains in a wide variety of technical accounting duties; assists with the training and cross-training of university staff.

16. Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration or related field.
• At least 1 year of fund accounting experience, preferably in a university setting.
• At least two years of general accounting experience or equivalent experience with grant management.
• Excellent interpersonal, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, to anticipate information needs of faculty and staff related to grants, and to respond to new situations.
• Must possess a high level of accuracy and be detailed oriented.
• Knowledge of basic accounting skills; knowledge of Federal grant accounting standards is a plus.
• Computer literacy in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and databases needed.
• A personal commitment to North Park’s mission of diversity and Christian higher education

Preferred Qualifications :

• Experience working in a business office at a higher education institution.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Colleague desired.
• Demonstrated knowledge of grant account / project management desired.

Application Process : To apply for the position of Assistant Director of Finance, please submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

North Park University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive work environment where all employees can thrive and contribute to our shared mission.