Accountant Jobs

This position will perform administrative accounting activities in support of Vanderbilt’s service centers. The accountant will gather, analyze, understand, and review data and transactions such as journal entries and adjustments to ensure costs are appropriately allocated within service centers. This position will prepare CORES billing activities centrally and will be responsible for assisting in the reconciliation of CORES recharge activities.

Research Finance strives for excellence in providing support and oversight in administratively managing sponsored projects, monitoring associated financial compliance requirements in accordance with sponsor regulations and university policies, and providing analytical and cost accounting expertise to the management of Vanderbilt’s research enterprise. Research Finance includes the Grants Analysts that provide central oversight for project expenditures, financial reconciliation, financial reporting, and award closeout, the Research Accountants that perform invoicing, cash management and accounts receivable management, and the Data and Cost Analysts that perform cost accounting activities and institutional research reporting as well as award setup and effort certification compliance oversight.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Monitor and book depreciation for equipment utilized within the service center
• Assist in the review of proposed billing rates, prices and scholarship amounts to ensure compliance with federal regulations and institutional policy. Perform cost accounting analysis throughout the fiscal year to ensure established rates are in line with working capital requirements
• Formulate recommendations for process improvements and enhancements to ensure efficient operations of service center financial activities
• Assists in the development of policies, procedures, and training for service center accounting at Vanderbilt
• Develop and maintain positive working relationships with various offices to support the service center activity. Maintain an understanding of the science behind the service center facilities and their business plans
• Assists in setup of service centers within Oracle to track and monitor activities, performs reviews of accounting transactions, and ensures appropriate and timely close-out of service centers
• Assist in reconciling all service center accounting activity within the grants module to the General Ledger
• Assists in development of financial reporting regarding service center activities
• Provide support for/ access to service center/ iLab (end user support). Examples include service center set up and maintenance, external account review and approval , account set up and maintenance, training, m onitor [email protected] inbox, o ngoing technical support ( bugs/coding issues referred to service center/iLab technical team), etc.
• Ensure PCI compliance if credit cards are accepted within a service center
• Assist Research Finance costing team in the facilities and administrative rate proposal.

• Proven detail-oriented work style in collaboration with effective written and verbal communication skills is preferred .
• Time management skills and the ability to work well in a team environment is necessary .
• Demonstrated performance in establishing and maintaining productive and collaborative relationships with a full range of internal and external constituencies is preferred .
• Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with a range of people, understanding their needs and goals is preferred .
• Understanding of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems and General Ledgers is preferred .
• A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education is preferred.
• A Bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in accounting or finance is preferred .
• Skill in advanced Excel, Word, and PowerPoint applications is necessary .
• CPA or MACC/MBA is preferred .
• Openness to change, adaptability, and the ability to work effectively in a variety of situations, with individuals or groups is preferred .
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders is preferred .
• Ability to understand and appreciate different and opposing perspectives on an issue is preferred .
• Experience in higher education with a focus in research compliance and/or financial administration in a research university, academic medical center, or other organization subject to an externally regulated environment is preferred .
• Ability to work co-operatively with others as part of a team, as opposed to working separately or competitively, is preferred .