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SalaryThis is a 1-year fixed-term position.
Stanford University is one of Silicon Valley's largest employers - and one of the most unique. Our mission is to educate future leaders and promote interdisciplinary, world-class research and teaching. This passion makes Stanford an intensely creative, rewarding, and challenging place to work. At Stanford University, not only are you part of an exceptional team that values innovation and education, but you also become part of a culture that brings out the best in you. Stanford is committed to fostering a workplace culture that promotes diversity, collaboration, and professional growth. Our culture offers career development programs, competitive pay that reflects market trends and benefits that increase financial stability and promote healthy, fulfilling lives.
Research—the creation of new knowledge—is key to Stanford’s educational mission. Stanford research has led to breakthrough remedies, devices, tools, and concepts, and hundreds of initiatives solely for the betterment of humanity. Among the inventions and discoveries that have resulted from Stanford research are MRI technology, DNA cloning, the Pill, heart transplantation, and digital music.
The premier function of the Office of Research Administration (ORA) is to provide an array of high-quality services and expertise to support the research mission and sponsored projects administration at Stanford University. ORA is composed of Cost and Management Analysis; Property Management Office; Research Administration Policy and Compliance; Sponsored Receivables Management; Client Advocacy and Education; Organizational Insights; and the Office of Sponsored Research. ORA also provides oversight for the Stanford Electronic Research Administration (SeRA), eCertification, Clinical Research Invoicing System for Participants (CRISP), Electronic PI Lab Use Survey (ePLUS) systems. ORA manages the administrative processes related to a broad spectrum of research related agreements as well as the entire lifecycle of sponsored research from proposal submission and award negotiation through financial reporting and award closeout. ORA submits over 5,000 new proposals annually and manages more than 7,500 active sponsored projects with a total budget exceeding $1.98 billion.
This position may be considered for domestic (US) remote work.
JOB PURPOSE:
We are looking for a Research Accountant to join the Office of Sponsored Research’s Postaward Team. Duties of a Research Accountant include: Perform post award accounting activities; establish, and approve account set-up in the financial system; prepare interim and quarterly financial reports; invoice sponsors for expenditures; and fulfills sponsor financial reporting requirements. Ensures compliance with sponsor terms and conditions, University policies, and federal regulations and requirements. Provide limited signature authority to sign off on simple interim financial reports. Signature authority to sign off on all cost transfers. Has full authority to setup and baseline awards.
CORE DUTIES*:
- Review and interpret legal documents for financial terms and conditions including but not limited to billing requirements, reporting, and spending restrictions.
- Review account set up in financial systems to ensure financial terms recorded with appropriate key attributes. Return for correction or correct account attributes as appropriate.
- Work collaboratively with Institutional Representatives, Accounting Associates, Administrators, and AR staff to clarify financial terms and ensure correct account setup, to ensure compliance with sponsor's requirements and university's policies.
- Prepare interim and quarterly financial reports for assigned departments or funder/sponsor award range. Ensure reports are submitted timely to meet funder/sponsor's requirements.
- Verify and perform analysis of PI's effort, cost sharing commitment, equipment purchases, administrative expenses, sub-awards, unallowable expenses, etc.
- Work with departments and process partners to resolve issues.
- Monitor sponsored project activity, including cost overruns, cost sharing and unallowable/administrative expenses, throughout project lifecycle to ensure compliance.
- Perform final award closeouts for assigned departments or sponsor award range.
- Perform detailed reconciliations and overall analysis of expenditures, resolve routine issues. Handle special or complex projects as assigned.
- Coordinate with Accounts Receivables billing staff to ensure that all costs are billed, and that the final invoice is either generated by the system or later recorded in AR.
- Serve as a resource on grant and accounting procedures, University and funder/sponsor’s policies.
- Other duties may also be assigned.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
Education & Experience:
Four-year college degree and three years of relevant experience or combination of education and relevant experience.
Desired Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Good knowledge of contract and grant procedures and ability to apply the accounting practices.
- Good accounting concepts and analysis of accounting transactions.
- Thorough understanding of key attributes in Oracle and its impact on reporting, billing, and recovering costs.
- Knowledge of Stanford research administration processes particularly post award research administration.
- Experience with the Uniform Guidance, Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), and GAAP.
- Strong working knowledge of Excel.
- Experience with Oracle and/or Stanford systems.
- Ability to independently diagnose and solve problems using sound judgment and decision-making abilities.
- Independently analyze accounting transactions and ability to reconcile financial information.
- Strong customer service skills. Working collaboratively with different process partners.
- Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
Certifications and Licenses:
None
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS*:
- Constantly sitting, grasping lightly, use fine manipulation and performing desk-based computer tasks.
- Occasionally use a telephone.
- Rarely stand/walk, twist, bend, stoop, squat, write by hand, sort and file paperwork or parts, lift, carry push, and pull objects that weigh up to 10 pounds.
- Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
- May have occasional extended or weekend work hours during peak business cycles.
WORK STANDARDS:
- Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.
- Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.
- Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University's Administrative Guide, http://adminguide.stanford.edu.
This role is open to candidates anywhere in the United States. Stanford University has five Regional Pay Structures. The compensation for this position will be based on the location of the successful candidate. The expected pay range for this position is $60,000 to $96,000 per annum.
Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location, and external market pay for comparable jobs.
At Stanford University, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive rewards package. The Cardinal at Work website (https://cardinalatwork.stanford.edu/benefits-rewards) provides detailed information on Stanford’s extensive range of benefits and rewards offered to employees. Specifics about the rewards package for this position may be discussed during the hiring process.
The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.
Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
