Grant Accountant - Grants Administration

JOB SUMMARY

At Houston Methodist, the (Grant Accountant position is responsible for maintaining knowledge of and interprets granting agencies and Houston Methodist Research Institute (HMRI) regulations regarding the receipt and administration of grants and contracts. This position reviews grant and contract proposals to assure compliance with granting agency requirements and HMRI policy and reviews and monitors expense transactions for conformance with granting agency guidelines. The Grant Accountant position coordinates the set-up of cost centers and budgets and work with department staff to ensure proper allocation of costs to new awards. This position prepares monthly and/or quarterly invoices, as necessary, and maintains an accounts receivable aging schedule. The Grant Accountant position prepares, distributes, and monitors monthly time and effort reports for all individuals with committed or actual effort on all grants and contracts, preparing interim and final financial status reports in accordance with funding agency guidelines.

PATIENT AGE GROUP(S) AND POPULATION(S) SERVED
Refer to departmental "Scope of Service" and "Provision of Care" plans, as applicable, for description of primary age groups and populations served by this job for the respective HM entity.

HOUSTON METHODIST EXPERIENCE EXPECTATIONS

• Provide personalized care and service by consistently demonstrating our I CARE values:
  • INTEGRITY: We are honest and ethical in all we say and do.
  • COMPASSION: We embrace the whole person including emotional, ethical, physical, and spiritual needs.
  • ACCOUNTABILITY: We hold ourselves accountable for all our actions.
  • RESPECT: We treat every individual as a person of worth, dignity, and value.
  • EXCELLENCE: We strive to be the best at what we do and a model for others to emulate.
• Focuses on patient/customer safety
• Delivers personalized service using HM Service Standards
• Provides for exceptional patient/customer experiences by following our Standards of Practice of always using Positive Language (AIDET, Managing Up, Key Words)
• Intentionally rounds with patients/customers to ensure their needs are being met
• Involves patients (customers) in shift/handoff reports byenabling their participation in their plan of care as applicable to the given job

• Displays cultural humility, diversity, equity and inclusion principles

• Actively supports the organization vision, fulfills the mission and abides by the I CARE values

PRIMARY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Job responsibilities labeled EF capture those duties that are essential functions of the job.

PEOPLE - 20%

1. Meets and discusses grant financials with investigators, department heads and HMRI leadership. Utilizes positive communication skills to ensure cohesive, smooth operations within the department. (EF)
2. Communicates with external entities on invoices and grant financials. Effectively and proactively communicates with all stakeholders to resolve issues and discrepancies in a timely manner. (EF)
3. Conducts self in a manner that is congruent with cultural diversity, equity and inclusion principles. Contributes towards improvement of department scores for employee engagement, i.e. peer-to-peer accountability. (EF)

SERVICE - 20%

1. Coordinate Grants and Contracts post-award projects in all related activities including invoicing, financial reporting, effort reporting, and cash management. (EF)
2. Organizes aggregated information and/or data to support the departmental mission to present cohesive and succinct reports. Supports requests from customers both inside and outside the department while complying with HM policies and procedures. (EF)

QUALITY/SAFETY - 25%

1. Follows FASB accounting standards in addition to government regulations (i.e. IRS, CMS, FEMA, state comptroller) in support of accuracy and timeliness. Applies federal, state and organizational guidelines and policies to extramural funding financials. (EF)
2. Works with multiple project financials to ensure accuracy and on time submission. (EF)
3. Proactively identifies quality and safety improvement opportunities aimed at cost reduction through analysis of data. (EF)
4. Identifies potential problems related to grant finances and provide adequate solutions. (EF)

FINANCE - 25%

1. Uses GAAP (General Accepted Accounting Principles) to all assigned projects. Applies government granting, contracting, and financial practices to assigned projects. (EF)
2. Provides final review and approval of quarterly financial reports submitted to Federal, State, foundation and local agencies. Supports management in the preparation of audit schedules and year- end closing processes ensuring completeness and accuracy. (EF)
3. Utilizes resources effectively and efficiently, demonstrating responsible financial stewardship. Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritize daily tasks, assisting coworkers as needed. (EF)

GROWTH/INNOVATION - 10%

1. Contributes recommendations for new procedures and initiatives to improve the effectiveness and efficiency. Participates in relevant professional development activities (e.g., conferences, webinars, online training courses). (EF)
2. Seeks opportunities to identify self-development needs and takes appropriate action. Ensures own career discussions occur with appropriate management. Completes and updates the My Development Plan on an on-going basis. (EF)

This job description is not intended to be all inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

o Bachelor’s degree in business administration, finance, accounting or a related field

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

o Three years’ relevant experience in financial accounting or research administration

CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES AND REGISTRATIONS REQUIRED.

o Certified Grants Management Specialist (CGMS) preferred

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED

o Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations

o Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security

o Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles

o Through on-the-job experience must gain a working knowledge of grant and contract guidelines and cost principles

o Possesses basic knowledge in the use of various personal computer-based spreadsheet and word processing software applications (e.g., Microsoft Excel, Word, etc.)

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

Work Attire Yes/No

Uniform No

Scrubs No

Business professional Yes

Other (dept approved) No

On-Call* No

*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. Disaster, Severe Weather Event, etc) regardless of selection above.

Travel**

May require travel within No

Houston Metropolitan area

May require travel outside No

of Houston Metropolitan area

**Travel specifications may vary by department.

Please note any other special considerations to this job: __________________________

Houston Methodist Research Institute was formed in 2004 to rapidly and efficiently translate discoveries made in the laboratory and the clinic into new diagnostics, therapies, and treatments. The research institute was created to provide the infrastructure and support for these endeavors, and to house the technology and resources needed to make innovative breakthroughs in important areas of human disease. A 540,000 square foot building dedicated to research, the research institute houses over 1,500 staff and trainees, 284 principal investigators and has more than 570 ongoing clinical trials.