Careers at UMass Amherst

About UMass Amherst

The flagship of the Commonwealth, the University of Massachusetts Amherst is a nationally ranked public land-grant research university that seeks to expand educational access, fuel innovation and creativity, and share and use its knowledge for the common good. Founded in 1863, UMass Amherst sits on nearly 1,450-acres in scenic Western Massachusetts and boasts state-of-the-art facilities for teaching, research, scholarship, and creative activity. The institution advances a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community where everyone feels connected and valued—and thrives, and offers a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees across 10 schools and colleges, and 100 undergraduate majors. We believe every member of our university community can contribute to our ongoing success by striving for the highest level of excellence as we seek breakthrough solutions to mounting environmental, social, economic, and technological challenges in our world. 

Job Summary

Responsible for all aspects of post-award management of Research Grants and Contracts including preparation, review and approval of budgets, transactions, billings, and reports of expenditures. The position requires interpretation of complex grant and contract terms in conformance with Federal, State and University guidelines. The Research Accountant collaborates with the team of research accounts as well as departments on campus. The Research Accountant exercises professional judgment in areas of the allowability of grant expenditures, grant close-outs and budgeting decisions. Performs a wide range of detailed and complex accounting advisory functions related to the Research Grants and Contracts being managed. The office is currently working in a hybrid working environment (3 days on-site and 2 days remote) for the foreseeable future.

Essential Functions

• Manages the interface of pre-award data and automated billing for assigned grants and contracts. Interprets grant and contract requirements, assigns appropriate budget levels, and authorizes spending on awarded grants. Creates billing profiles in conformance with sponsor billing requirements to prepare timely and accurate invoices and financial reports to sponsors. When required, prepares billings manually according to sponsor specifications.
• Ensures that all expenditures, including cost sharing, are in conformance with Uniform Guidance and/or sponsor restrictions. Communicates with external granting agencies, faculty and staff on matters of allowability and appropriateness of charges and other related accounting matters such as interpretation of budgets and reporting requirements.
• Reviews grants and contracts at close-out to ensure that billing and financial requirements are met. Makes independent decisions regarding the refund of unspent funds, approvals of transfers and final reporting of expenditures. Works independently with external and internal auditors on examinations of grant activity.
• Creates ad-hoc queries of accounting data for use in preparing complex financial analyses and reports. Responsible for processing intricate journal entries related to adjustments to Research Project Grant Accounts. Participated in system implementation efforts, recommends courses of action to management on new systems.
• Applies and conforms with internal financial policies to ensure transactions are processed properly (e.g.Tax, HR, Legal, Federal).
• Ensures accuracy of recorded data through the use of analytical reports and reconciliations.
• Utilizes financial databases and systems to manipulate and analyze financial data for internal and external reporting and decision making.

Other Functions

Performs other duties as assigned. 

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• A Master's degree in accounting or a related field -OR- a Bachelor’s Degree in accounting or related field with two (2) years of relevant accounting or grant management work experience. 
• Strong interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills.
• Strong computer and technical skills (i.e. Microsoft suite).

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• For applicants with a Master's degree, at least six (6) months of relevant accounting or grant management work experience is preferred.
• Experience with research grants and contracts.
• Experience with grants and contract compliance.
• Client service experience.

• Monday – Friday 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM.
• This position has the opportunity for a hybrid work schedule, which is defined by the University as an arrangement where an employee’s work is regularly performed at a location other than the campus workspace for a portion of the week. As this position falls within the Professional Staff Union, it is subject to the terms and conditions of the Professional Staff Union collective bargaining agreement.

Salary Information

Level 26

PSU Hiring Ranges

Special Instructions to Applicants

Along with the application, please submit a resume, and cover letter. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references.

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University.  To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans.  It is the policy of UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.