Research Accountant/Sponsored Projects Accountant

The Talent Acquisition department hires qualified candidates to fill positions which contribute to the overall strategic success of Howard University. Hiring staff “for fit” makes significant contributions to Howard University’s overall mission.

At Howard University, we prioritize well-being and professional growth.

Here is what we offer: 

• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, plus mental health support
• Work-Life Balance: PTO, paid holidays, flexible work arrangements
• Financial Wellness: Competitive salary, 403(b) with company match 
• Professional Development: Ongoing training, tuition reimbursement, and career advancement paths
• Additional Perks: Wellness programs, commuter benefits, and a vibrant company culture

Join Howard University and thrive with us! 

https://hr.howard.edu/benefits-wellness

JOB PURPOSE:

The Part-Time Research Accountant supports the financial administration of sponsored projects across all 14 colleges within the university research enterprise. This position is responsible for reviewing and processing financial transactions related to sponsored awards, including payroll accounting adjustments (PAAs), costing allocations, and position budgets, in compliance with federal regulations, sponsor terms and conditions, university policies, and internal controls.

The incumbent must possess a strong understanding of sponsored project accounting principles, including familiarity with Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200), sponsor prior approval requirements, and allowability standards. The position requires the ability to independently review supporting documentation, analyze financial reports, and verify the availability of funding to ensure requested transactions are allowable, allocable, reasonable, consistently treated, and properly supported prior to processing.

This position works closely with departmental administrators, principal investigators, central research administration, payroll, and finance teams to support compliant and timely financial management of sponsored awards.

SUPERVISORY AUTHORITY:

N/A

NATURE AND SCOPE:

· Review, analyze, and process sponsored project financial transactions, including:

- Salary redistributions and labor corrections: Payroll Accounting Adjustments (PAAs)

- Costing Allocations

- Position Budgets

· Review supporting documentation and financial reports to ensure:

- Availability of funding

- Allowability of costs

- Allocability to the project

- Reasonableness of expenses

- Consistent treatment in accordance with federal regulations and institutional policy

· Interpret sponsor guidelines, award terms and conditions, and agency requirements to determine whether prior sponsor approval is required before processing transactions.

· Utilize Workday and related financial systems to prepare, review, and process sponsored project transactions.

· Prepare and analyze financial data using Microsoft Excel, including reconciliation and tracking activities related to sponsored awards and labor distributions.

· Ensure all transactions are adequately documented and audit-ready.

· Partner with college-embedded research administrators and departmental staff across all 14 colleges to resolve issues related to payroll funding, grant allocations, and sponsored project accounting.

· Assist in reviewing labor distributions to ensure salary expenses are appropriately charged to sponsored awards.

· Monitor compliance with institutional policies, Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200), sponsor requirements, and university procedures related to post-award financial management.

· Support fiscal year-end and audit-related activities, including reconciliations, documentation gathering, and corrective actions.

· Provide guidance to departments regarding sponsored project financial processes, documentation requirements, and funding availability.

· Identify process improvement opportunities to enhance compliance, efficiency, and consistency in sponsored project financial administration.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

· Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field.

· Minimum of 3–5 years of accounting or financial administration experience supporting sponsored projects in a higher education, research, healthcare, or nonprofit environment.

· Working knowledge of:

- Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200)

- Federal sponsored project regulations

- Sponsor prior approval requirements

- Cost principles and allowability standards

· Experience utilizing Workday or comparable enterprise financial systems.

· Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including pivot tables, financial analysis, reconciliations, reporting, and tracking.

· Experience processing or supporting:

- Payroll Accounting Adjustments (PAAs)

- Costing Allocations

- Position Budgets

· Ability to review financial reports and verify funding availability prior to processing transactions.

· Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

· Strong attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate documentation in a high-volume environment.

· Ability to interpret sponsor guidelines and apply regulatory requirements to financial transactions.

· Ability to communicate effectively and work collaboratively with faculty, administrators, and central offices across multiple colleges and departments.

PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS:

· Experience supporting sponsored projects within an R1 or research-intensive university environment.

Compliance Salary Range Disclosure

Expected Pay Range: $29.32 - $37.50