Manager of Sponsored Programs Financial Services (Grants and Contracts Manager)

Overview

JOB SUMMARY

The Office of the Vice President for Research, Sponsored Program Services (SPS), is actively recruiting for an experienced financial services and accounts receivable professional to manage a team of sponsored research financial services (“Cash Management”) specialists.  The Manager of Financial Services will oversee all cash management services, such as collections, billings, and letter of credit drawdowns, to ensure timely and accurate issuance and collections.

Under the general direction of the Director, this role will manage the day-to-day accounting functions of the Financial Services (“Cash Management”) Team. These functions include but are not limited to the preparation and review of accounting entries, journals, A/R Aging, collections, and reconciliations following sound fiscal controls and practices, applicable statutes, regulations, and policies.

Sponsored Program Services (SPS) assists faculty with the administration of sponsored program activities to reduce administrative burdens on researchers and department staff. Our goal is to help faculty win more grants and provide comprehensive pre-and post-award services.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Manages the day-to-day activities of the Cash/Financial Management Team, including creating accounting guidelines and processes, policy development and interpretations, and participation in meetings and/or presentations. Ensures financial and non-financial compliance with federal sponsor regulations, university policies, and financial accounting rules and regulations.
  • Responsible for leading and managing the accurate posting of cash management transactions.
  • Assigns and monitors staff workload and maintains and executes the Sponsored Program Services Accounts Receivable database which generates invoices, aging reports, and other reports.
  • Prepares financial statements, schedules, and reports in conformance with established procedures and regulations. Responsible for the accuracy of the billings, cash deposits, and letter of credit drawdowns, as well as the reconciliation of the University’s accounting records with various subsidiary records and the federal records of letter of credit activity.
  • Overall responsibility for ensuring required financial reports and invoices are prepared and submitted by the Cash/Financial Management team accurately and in a timely fashion, including the letter of credit collections, quarterly reports. Ensures compliance with accounting rules and regulations through monthly and quarterly reconciliations.
  • Assists in the annual financial audit and the Single Audit.
  • Monitors deposits into holding account to ensure that the correct account for deposit is identified quickly.
  • Troubleshoots and assists with resolving fiscal problems. Monitors and manages accounts receivable aging to ensure all accounts are actively pursued for collection to minimize bad debt expenses and write-offs and follows up with sponsors for collection.
  • Personnel management including recruiting, recommending for hire, evaluating, coordinating, and monitoring activity, mentoring, encouraging, and training staff.
  • Coordinates the year-end closing of accounting records for Grants and Contracts Accounting and prepares internal and external reports as requested.
  • Performs related duties as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

  1. Bachelor’s degree in accounting, business administration, or an appropriate field.
  2. At least six years of related experience
  3. Supervisory and office management experience.
  4. Knowledge of regulations and policies governing financial control of grants and contracts.
  5. Knowledge of federal letter of credit systems, financial controls, methods, and techniques, and accounting of funding in accordance with university, federal, and state rules and regulations. 
  6. Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing; and serve as a liaison between sponsors, university administration, and principal investigators.
  7. Knowledge of operations in the billing, collection, recording, and deposit of university monies.
  8. Experience with spreadsheets, reporting software, and financial applications.
  9. Adherence to schedule between the standard operating hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. required, with occasional flexibility to meet customer service objectives.  

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS 

  1. A Master's degree in accounting or business administration; or CPA
  2. Experience in a public agency, revenue collection department, or higher education.
  3. Microsoft Office suite, KFS, and WebFocus report writing experience preferred.

APPOINTMENT TERMS

Full-time positions include an excellent benefits package including medical and retirement, as well as employee and tuition waivers at the University of Connecticut.  Salaries typically start at the minimum of the salary band and range to the mid-point for progressively experienced candidates.  Positions are anticipated to be based on the main UConn Storrs Campus.  Employees are currently telecommuting until directed to return to campus or as an otherwise authorized condition of employment.

TO APPLY

Please apply online at https://hr.uconn.edu/jobs, Staff Positions, Search #495318 and upload a resume and cover letter that illustrate how applicants (1) satisfy the education and experience requirements, and (2) effectively demonstrate how the qualifications required for the position are satisfied and contact information for three (3) professional references.  Review of applications will begin immediately.

Employment of successful candidates will be contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check. 

This job posting is scheduled to be removed at 11:55 p.m. Eastern time on July 25, 2021.

All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics, which may be found at http://www.ct.gov/ethics/site/default.asp.

The University of Connecticut is committed to building and supporting a multicultural and diverse community of students, faculty, and staff. The diversity of students, faculty, and staff continues to increase, as does the number of honors students, valedictorians, and salutatorians who consistently make UConn their top choice. More than 100 research centers and institutes serve the University's teaching, research, diversity, and outreach missions, leading to UConn's ranking as one of the nation's top research universities. UConn's faculty and staff are the critical links to fostering and expanding our vibrant, multicultural, and diverse University community. As an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity employer, UConn encourages applications from women, veterans, people with disabilities, and members of traditionally underrepresented populations.

Contact Information

Company
University of Connecticut
First Name
Human
Last Name
Resources
Address
Phone
(860) 486-4900
Contact Email
Noemail@email.com
Contact URL

Background Information

Education
4-Year Degree
Years of Experience
6
Industries
  • College/University
Categories
  • Grants and Contracts
Work Authorization
Authorized to work in the US
Security Clearance
None

Target Job Information

Salary
Job Type
  • Full Time