Position Number: 013065
Functional Title: Director of Contract & Grant Accounting
Position Type: Staff
Position Eclass: E2 - SAAO II 12 Month Leave Earning
University Information: Located in North Carolina's third largest city, UNC Greensboro is among the most diverse, learner-centered public research universities in the state, with 18,000 students in eight colleges and schools pursuing more than 150 areas of undergraduate and over 200 areas of graduate study. UNCG continues to be recognized nationally for academic excellence, access, and affordability. UNCG is ranked No. 1 most affordable institution in North Carolina for net cost by the N.Y. Times and No. 1 in North Carolina for social mobility by The Wall Street Journal - helping first-generation and lower-income students find paths to prosperity. Designated an Innovation and Economic Prosperity University by the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, UNCG is a community-engaged research institution with a portfolio of more than $67M in research and creative activity. The University's 2,600 staff help create an annual economic impact for the Piedmont Triad region in excess of $1B.
Primary Purpose of the Organizational Unit: Contract and Grant Accounting (CGA) partners with Principal Investigators, faculty, and staff to provide comprehensive post-award oversight and guidance to ensure external funds are utilized in a manner consistent with university, sponsor, state, and federal guidelines. CGA facilitates and manages all financial aspects of sponsored research administration for over $70M in sponsored awards each year while developing and maintaining strong relationships with campus partners and external sponsors. CGA protects the University's interest by ensuring accurate and compliant accounting of income and expenditures and is responsible for the following primary functions:
(1) establish awards in financial accounting system
(2) new award meetings for project budget overview
(3) award budget management
(4) financial reporting, invoicing and cash management
(5) Fringe benefit rate development, negotiation, and review
(6) Management and Compliance of time and effort reporting
(7) Training and development for research administration personnel
(8) Communication to increase the quality of research administration and
(9) Fund reconciliation, project closeout and final reporting requirements
Position Summary: The CGA Director will be the lead campus representative for post-award accounting activities and focuses on effective post-award grant management in an academic setting, ensuring compliance with federal, state, system, and campus regulations. The role involves leadership and collaboration with external agencies, faculty, research deans, and the Office of Research, executed with independence, innovation, specialized knowledge, and accuracy. This position is responsible for all research related grant and contract activities including post-award financial and non-financial actions, with emphasis on compliance, cash management and financial reporting. The Director has a fiduciary responsibility to all external funding agencies to monitor funds entrusted to the University to assure funds are not misused and to maintain the University integrity and is responsible for resolving audit exceptions/disallowances.
Minimum Qualifications: Four-year degree in Accounting or Business
Preferred Qualifications: - Four -year degree in accounting or business, with minimum of 3 years' experience in a contracts and grants related field emphasizing management, planning, and systems.
- Research administration training through professional research organizations like NCURA and SRA is a plus.
- Leadership and human resource management skills are critical to this position. Knowledge and understanding of federal and state regulations, as well as abilities in comprehension of intricate contract terms and conditions; skills in use of computers, including data mining through use of Internet, word processing, spreadsheet applications.
- Use of Banner Financial Accounting system will be required.
- Clear understanding of general accounting is critical.
Special Instructions to Applicants: UNCG has retained Isaacson, Miller has been retained to assist in the search for the Director of Grants and Contracts Accounting.
Please direct all inquiries, nominations, referrals, and applications in strict confidence to:
Rebecca Kennedy, Partner
David Grimes, Senior Associate
Cortnee Bollard, Senior Search Coordinator
Isaacson, Miller Recruitment Range: Commensurate with Experience
Org : Contract and Grant Accounting - 56205
Job Open Date: 06/04/2025
Open Until Filled: Yes
FTE: 1.000
Type of Appointment: Permanent
Number of Months per Year: 12
FLSA: Exempt
Percentage Of Time: 20%
Key Responsibility: Leadership and Staff Management
Essential Tasks: - Plan, organize, direct, and lead the CGA professional staff to ensure effective and efficient management of federal and non-federal grants and contracts.
- Provide ongoing training, feedback, and problem-solving leadership to CGA staff.
- Monitor staff activities to address efficiencies, productivity, and identify training and development needs.
Percentage Of Time: 20%
Key Responsibility: Post-Award Accounting Oversight, Audit and Compliance Management
Essential Tasks: - Oversee all aspects of Post Award Accounting, including compliance with Uniform Guidance, financial reporting, effort certifications, billing/cash management, and closeout for Federal, State, International, Foundation, and Corporate Awards.
- Ensure compliance with financial processes, including purchase requisitions, personnel actions, travel requests, and other financial documents, ensuring appropriate approvals and adherence to budgetary constraints.
- Ensure proper closeout of grants and contracts.
- Maintain and update department policies and procedures as needed.
- Coordinate with State Auditors, federal auditors, and private auditors during grant audits.
- Resolve audit exceptions and disallowances to maintain compliance.
- Stay updated on Federal regulations and Cost Accounting Standards, preparing for upcoming changes to ensure compliance.
Percentage Of Time: 20%
Key Responsibility: Financial Analysis and Reporting
Essential Tasks: - Perform financial analysis, budget reviews, and general ledger checks to ensure accuracy and compliance.
- Generate timely financial reports and manage billing and federal reimbursement procedures.
- Oversee indirect cost recovery and cost-rate negotiations.
Percentage Of Time: 15%
Key Responsibility: Communication and Relationship Management
Essential Tasks: - Effectively communicate complex financial information to a diverse audience, including principal investigators, staff, university administrators, and external agencies.
- Demonstrate strong interpersonal and written communication skills to resolve issues, provide clear information, and build positive relationships.
- Prioritize timely responses to grant and contract-related inquiries while maintaining diplomacy and compliance.
Percentage Of Time: 10%
Key Responsibility: Process Improvement and Efficiency
Essential Tasks: - Lead process improvement initiatives to enhance departmental efficiency and effectiveness.
- Facilitate discussions between the CGA unit and colleges, faculty, principal investigators, and research administration staff to address areas for improvement and increased efficiency.
- Provide regular post-award training for campus personnel.
Percentage Of Time: 5%
Key Responsibility: System Oversight (Banner Grants Module)
Essential Tasks: - Serve as a Functional Lead for the Banner Grants Module, overseeing accurate entry and updates of grant information.
- Perform periodic testing of system upgrades to ensure functionality.
Percentage Of Time: 5%
Key Responsibility: Effort Certification and Time Reports
Essential Tasks: - Oversee the preparation and certification of periodic Time and Effort reports to ensure accuracy and timeliness.
- Address concerns and issues related to Time and Effort reports as they arise.
Percentage Of Time: 5%
Key Responsibility: Additional Responsibilities
Essential Tasks: Physical Effort: Reading - F, Writing - F, Hearing - F, Talking - F, Hand Movement-Repetitive Motions - O, Hand Movement-Grasping - O, Eye-hand coordination - O, Vision-Preparing/Analyzing figures - O, Vision-Visual inspection - O, Standing - O, Sitting - F, Climbing-Stairs - O
Work Environment: Inside - F, Overtime - F