Research Accounting Manager

Virginia Tech - Blacksburg, VA

Full-time - Mid Level

Blacksburg, VA

10,001+ employees

Educational Services

About the position

The Research Accounting Manager will be an integral member of the Finance and Operations Team in the Grado Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering at Virginia Tech. This role is pivotal in providing leadership for research administration and is responsible for overseeing all sponsored award activities. Key responsibilities include coordinating expenditure compliance and spending rates, salary planning, close-outs, financial reporting, project transfers, letters of guarantee, overdraft monitoring, and managing research faculty appointments. The Research Accounting Manager will serve as the liaison for the Office of Sponsored Programs and Research Compliance (OESRC) on behalf of the department, perform ad hoc reporting, and support the implementation of best practices in compliance with university, state, and federal guidelines. In addition to these responsibilities, the incumbent will oversee Experiential Learning Agreements (ELAs), manage the planning, allocation, and tracking of seed funding, handle payroll transactions, and prepare personnel activity reports (PARs). The role requires critical thinking skills to anticipate or resolve matters related to research funding activity. Reporting directly to the Director of Finance and Operations, this position emphasizes teamwork and a strong commitment to customer service, ensuring that all financial activities align with the university's mission and compliance standards.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for research administration and manage all sponsored award activities.
• Coordinate expenditure compliance and spending rates for research projects.
• Oversee salary planning, close-outs, and financial reporting for research activities.
• Manage project transfers, letters of guarantee, and overdraft monitoring.
• Serve as the OESRC liaison on behalf of the department and perform ad hoc reporting.
• Support the implementation of best practices in compliance with university, state, and federal guidelines.
• Oversee Experiential Learning Agreements (ELAs) and manage seed funding allocation and tracking.
• Handle payroll transactions and prepare personnel activity reports (PARs).
• Utilize critical thinking skills to resolve issues related to research funding activity.

Requirements

• Advanced degree in finance, accounting, business administration or related field, or an approved lesser degree with equivalent training and/or experience.
• Demonstrated administrative experience providing support for research activities.
• Knowledge of federal and nonfederal regulations and guidelines in a university or state agency setting.
• Experience in budgeting and using spreadsheets for financial tracking and analysis.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple, complex tasks effectively.
• Demonstrated leadership and independence while working effectively in a team environment.
• Strong problem-solving, analytical, organizational skills, and attention to detail.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills to diverse groups of stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently with high accuracy in a deadline-driven environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, and Outlook).

Nice-to-haves

• Experience with federal and nonfederal grant administration and/or contract regulations.
• Familiarity with Virginia Tech systems such as Award Management, Banner, HokieMart, TimeClock Plus, Chrome River, MicroStrategy, PageUp, and Labor Redistribution.
• Knowledge of university administrative and accounting practices, policies, and procedures.
• Professional designations such as Certified Research Administrator (CRA) or Certified Federal Contracts Manager (CFCM).
• Ability to handle ambiguity and adapt to change.

Benefits

• Professional development opportunities
• Inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity
• Participation in university shared governance