Position Summary

Reporting to the Senior Finance and Compliance Manager, the Finance and Compliance Manager is responsible for assisting the Sponsored Projects Finance Team with the financial administration of a diverse portfolio of private and public grants and contracts of varied complexity, ensuring that they are administered in a fiscally responsible manner, complying with all applicable rules and regulations established by both the sponsor agency and the University. 

Responsibilities

• Ensuring the accuracy and timeliness of financial data, assisting in the preparation of financial reports and billings to sponsors, tracking receipt of funding and receivables (aging and uncollectable), collecting accounts receivable for accounts, and participating in account close-out

• Provides institutional oversight by monitoring the allowable and appropriate recording of expenses to sponsored projects and the general ledger in order to ensure compliance with generally acceptable accounting principles (GAAP) and sponsor reporting requirements

• Prepares required close-out documents for grants and/or contracts, including contractors' releases and assignments; reviews sponsoring agency policies, regulatory documents and other literature related to sponsored project financial administration to maintain familiarity with granting and contracting agency policies and revisions

• Responsible for customer service, a core mission of the department, by identifying internal and external customers and providing them with the appropriate support regarding sponsored project financial administration and general ledger accounting

• Assists management in identifying opportunities to streamline and improve processes, providing input for automating processes, and actively implementing changes, as needed.  Maintains records in accordance with internal procedures, demonstrating compliance with sponsor regulations concerning equipment, project expenditures and other fiscal concerns, and interacts with auditors during their reviews

• Performs special projects and other related duties as assigned.

   

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and/or equivalent, plus a minimum of three years' related accounting experience required

Preferred Qualifications

• CPA 
• Experience with grant accounting and/or fund accounting 
• Demonstrated knowledge of research administration / grants management and accounting business processes preferred

Other Requirements

• Must be comfortable working with databases and computerized financial systems
• Must be able to identify priorities within multiple assignments in a high-pressured, short-deadline environment, and be able to work with diplomacy and efficiency in such an environment
• Must be able to demonstrate excellent organizational, analytical, critical thinking, interpersonal, written and oral communication skills
• In addition, the successful candidate must be able to work well with all levels of employees, be flexible in nature, have sound judgment with an open and collaborative style that encourages teamwork and cooperation beyond the immediate team to the broader organization
• Must have a passion for excellent customer service and commitment to exceptional quality

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.