Children’s National Medical Center Looking for Grants Accountant III at Silver Spring, MD  Full Time

The primary duties of this position include preparation of invoices and various financial reports (mostly for Letter of Credit and programmatic sponsored projects), grant expenditure monitoring and analysis for compliance with institutional and federal regulations, performing accounting ledger reconciliations, preparing journal entries and processing budget re-allocations. The Grants Accountant III works independently and has a complex portfolio, which includes program projects, cooperative agreements, complex contractual agreements, training grants and research grants.

The Grants Accountant III is also responsible for providing training and continuing education for team members within Grants Accounting and the Research Community at large. Provides expertise towards streamlining ongoing operations through the maintenance of standard operating procedures, job aides, policies, and procedures.

To accomplish tasks, the Grants Accountant III works collaboratively with internal partners in Grants and Contracts Administration and Finance (GCAF) including the Research Business Office, the Grants and Contracts Office, the Clinical Trials Office and other functional areas of the Grants Accounting Team such as Award Setup, Commitment Accounting, and Cash Management, as needed. May also have interaction with external partners that may include Sponsors, Principal Investigators, Department Administrators. The Grants Accountant works under the guidance of the Grants Accounting Manager.

Minimum Education
Bachelor’s Degree Accounting, Business Administration, Public Administration, or related field. (Required)

Minimum Work Experience
5 years in an Accounting or Finance environment (Required)

Required Skills/Knowledge
Extensive knowledge of applicable OMB Circulars and Federal regulations pertinent to grants and contracts accounting; NIH Grants Policy Statement, FAR and DFAR clauses, Uniform Guidance and Single Audit (formerly A-133), in addition to 45 CFR Part 74, Appendix E.
Thorough knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles.
Knowledge of grants accounting processes, procedures and financial controls for a not-for-profit organization.
Ability to to use a computer and to learn multiple software applications.
Proficiency in spreadsheet applications.
Knowledge of financial analysis techniques and skills (utilizing excel spreadsheets).
Understanding of automated general ledger systems, including the interfaces between the general ledger and subsystems.
Ability to deal with problems involving several variables in a familiar context
Good interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
Attention to detail, accuracy and the ability to handle confidential material.
Motivated and intuitive thinker.

Required Licenses and Certifications
Certified Research Administrator (CRA) Awarded by the Research Administrators Certification Council (Preferred)

Functional Accountabilities
Responsible Conduct of Research

• Consistently demonstrates adherence to the standards for the responsible conduct of research.

• Plans, conducts and manages research projects within federal and institutional regulations and policies under the direction of the principal investigator.

• Uses research funds and resources appropriately.

• Maintains confidentiality of data as required.

• Meets all annual job-related training and compliance requirements.

Accounting

• Monitors accounting ledgers for compliance and prepares necessary adjustments for indirect costs, fringe benefits, reclassifications or cost transfers.

• Reviews journal entries of expenditure adjustments for compliance. Works with the entry user to ensure the appropriate description, justification and documentation are included.

• Seeks and enters budget reallocations.

• Ensures the grant award profile and history of required financial milestones are properly maintained and kept in the accounting system.

• Regularly reviews financial reports with Grants and Contracts personnel to ensure proper recording of revenues and expenses within each grant.

• Assists in the month- and year-end accounting closing process and audit of grants.

• Leads the discussion of accounting/financial review of awards and issues during GCAF Center Meetings.

• Assists in implementing fiscal changes in the Accounting system.

Invoicing and Financial Reporting

• Works independently to prepare accurate monthly/quarterly/annual/periodic invoices and financial reports for timely submission to sponsors.

• Prepares supplemental documentation to be used in the preparation of accurate financial reporting and invoicing.

• Provides Grants Accounting Management with expense detail reports that support recommended drawdown amounts.

• Independently addresses management needs for financial information through routine or ad hoc financial reports and analysis.

Financial Analysis

• Independently performs a variety of financial analyses as required by internal and external constituencies.

• Independently identifies and corrects errors or misstatements in financial information using various analytical techniques.

• Independently identifies and explains significant trends or deviations in financial information.

• Independently monitors the deferral/receivable reports and works with Grants and Contracts to manage the flow of funds.

• Prepares financial analysis documentation to be used to determine the financial state of CNRI.

• Takes on special projects to assist with the financial management of the CNRI grants and contracts portfolio.

Compliance

• Independently stays abreast of all applicable Uniform Guidance Requirement and Federal regulations.

• Prepares and provides training to colleagues on any changes in applicable laws and regulations.

• Examines all costs to ensure they are allocable, allowable and reasonable.

Leadership

• Provides training for new team members and continuing education for existing staff in grant accounting including the development of training materials and tools to support training.

• Provides training on specific Grants Accounting related topics for GCAF, faculty, administration, and key research staff.

• Contributes to the development and maintenance of Grants Accounting related SOP’s, job aides, policies, and procedures.

• May participate in other departmental initiatives as assigned to represent Grants Accounting.

Organizational Accountabilities
A-133 Audit

• Independently compile information requested for the A-133 audit.

• Reconcile the accounts for information requested for the A-133 audit.

Organizational Commitment/Identification

• Partner in the mission and upholds the core principles of the organization.

• Committed to diversity and recognizes value of cultural ethnic differences.

• Demonstrate personal and professional integrity.

• Maintain confidentiality at all times.

Customer Service

• Anticipate and responds to customer needs; follows up until needs are met.

Teamwork/Communication

• Demonstrate collaborative and respectful behavior.

• Partner with all team members to achieve goals.

• Receptive to others’ ideas and opinions.

Performance Improvement/Problem-solving

• Contribute to a positive work environment.

• Demonstrate flexibility and willingness to change.

• Identify opportunities to improve clinical and administrative processes.

• Make appropriate decisions, using sound judgment.

Cost Management/Financial Responsibility

• Use resources efficiently.

• Search for less costly ways of doing things.

Organizational Accountabilities (Staff)
Organizational Commitment/Identification

• Anticipate and responds to customer needs; follows up until needs are met.

Teamwork/Communication

• Demonstrate collaborative and respectful behavior.

• Partner with all team members to achieve goals.

• Receptive to others’ ideas and opinions.

Performance Improvement/Problem-solving

• Contribute to a positive work environment.

• Demonstrate flexibility and willingness to change.

• Identify opportunities to improve clinical and administrative processes.

• Make appropriate decisions, using sound judgment.

Cost Management/Financial Responsibility

• Use resources efficiently.

• Search for less costly ways of doing things.

Safety

• Speak up when team members appear to exhibit unsafe behavior or performance.

• Continuously validate and verify information needed for decision making or documentation.

• Stop in the face of uncertainty and takes time to resolve the situation.

• Demonstrate accurate, clear and timely verbal and written communication.

• Actively promote safety for patients, families, visitors and co-workers.

• Attend carefully to important details – practicing Stop, Think, Act and Review in order to self-check behavior and performance.