Senior Accountant - CDD (Remote w/in IA)
The University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) is seeking a highly skilled and detail-oriented Senior Grant Accountant to support grant management and business operations. This position will function as a key member of a grant-funded department within Iowa Healthcare that focuses on providing direct services, training, and other services to support the service system for individuals with disabilities across Iowa. This role is pivotal in managing the financial aspects of a portfolio of grants and contracts, ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations, and supporting managers and team members.
The ideal candidate will serve as the internal expert on grant policies and processes, utilizing their critical thinking and analytical skills to navigate complex financial systems and policies and provide clear, actionable guidance to UCEDD teams. We are looking for someone who is curious, flexible, and customer service oriented and is passionate about supporting staff in understanding and adhering to grant policies. This position is remote-eligible within the state of Iowa.
This is a specified term position funded through June 30, 2026, with a strong likelihood of being extended.
This position is eligible for remote work within Iowa and will require a work arrangement form to be completed upon the start of your employment. Per policy, work arrangements will be reviewed annually, and must comply with the remote work program and related policies and employee travel policy when working at a remote location.
- Monitor account balances and resolve any issues and concerns with the related grant manager.
- Maintain and reconcile grant accounts.
- Prepare annual budgets renewing grants/contracts and for new grant applications as needed.
- Lead fiscal year-end closing of grant accounts.
- Prepare financial reports and supporting documentation for internal and external stakeholders.
- Provide analysis of financial data to discover trends.
- Identify obtain, and organize relevant data and ideas.
- Recognize, clarify, and prioritize concerns while communicating with essential stakeholders.
- Collaborate with supervisor to establish new or improved processes and procedures for financial management of sponsored accounts.
- Manage a robust and complex subset of grants and contracts from various governmental agencies and other sources, assuring compliance with the award terms and sponsor, federal, and University policies and procedures.
- Advanced knowledge of applicable sponsor regulations.
- Perform periodic reviews to ensure compliance with award terms in accordance with University policies and state and federal regulations.
- Assist UCEDD grant managers in interpreting the award document, policies, procedures and regulations.
- Contribute to the recommendations and implementation of new policies and procedures and interpretation of existing policies and procedures.
- Processes and reviews transactions from various financial systems.
- Initiate original and correcting journal entries.
- Oversee billing processes for applicable grants, contracts, and subcontracts.
- Review transactions for accuracy, classification and appropriateness and resolve discrepancies with departments and sponsors.
- Recommend and process expenses and change of status personnel appointments to ensure grants stay within budget and comply with federal/University guidelines.
- Determine and track dollar and percent effort on grants and set up cost-sharing accounts, as needed.
- Process requisitions for subcontract awards on grants, prepare required documents, monitor subcontract purchase orders to ensure sub-awardee invoicing and payments are prompt.
- Investigate and resolve unusual circumstances, make recommendations for procedural changes as needed for efficient grant/contract processing and award operations.
- Approve or deny financial transactions within University of Iowa workflow routing.
- Provide coaching and training to grant staff on financial systems, policies, and procedures.
- Recommend and assist in implementing improvements in training.
- Act as a liaison between department and UI Grant Accounting, Division of Sponsored Programs, Accounts Payable, and Program Officers.
- Participate in internal and external training opportunities related grant fiscal management and budgeting best practices.
Pay Level: 4A
Professional and Scientific Pay Structures | University Human Resources - The University of Iowa
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance or related or an equivalent combination of education and experience
- 3-5 years of compliance, grant accounting or financial experience, to include budget develop/monitoring, account reconciliations, preparing financial reports, setting up, monitoring, and closing accounts.
- Ability to multitask and meet complex deliverable deadlines
- Experience gathering and organizing data from a variety of systems/sources to perform a task
- Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication, and the ability to convey complex information to a wide variety of audiences
Desired Qualifications:
- Knowledge of federal, state, local, and private funding agencies, policies, and regulations
- Experience with the University’s financial systems and knowledge of the University of Iowa Operations Manual.
Application Process:
In order to be considered, applicants must upload a resume and cover letter (check the box for required attachment) that clearly address how they meet the listed required and desired qualifications of this position.
Job openings are posted for a minimum of 7 calendar days. Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check. This position is not eligible for University sponsorship for employment authorization. Please contact michael-lynch-2@uiowa.edu with questions.
Equal opportunity employer
The University of Iowa is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), disability, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, service in the U.S. military, sexual orientation, or associational preferences.
Persons with disabilities who need assistance or accommodations with the application or interview process may contact University Human Resources/Faculty and Staff Disability Services, (319) 335-2660 or fsds@uiowa.edu. For jobs in UI Health care, please contact UI Health care Leave & Disability Administration at 319-356-7543.
