Posting Details

Position Information

Job Title Finance Administrator Department Mechanical Engineering Full Time/Part Time Full-Time Requisition Number S19618 Open Date 05/23/2019 Close Date Salary Information

Salary Commensurate with Experience and Qualifications

Work Schedule

Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Benefits Eligible Yes Eligible for Overtime No Position Summary

Under general supervision of the Senior Department Administrator, the Finance Administrator is responsible for accounting and post-award research administration related functions for the Mechanical Engineering Department including monitoring accounts, purchasing, and reimbursements. S/he will work closely with faculty to manage research funds ensuring funds are spent appropriately and within federal and/or contract guidelines. This position requires attention to detail and strong customer service skills. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance, experience working in a higher education or nonprofit organization and with state and/or federal grants and contracts. The ability to multitask, prioritize and maintain a high level of accuracy and attention to detail are critically important.

Education Required Bachelor's Degree Major/Discipline Substitution for Education Requirement

Experience may not be substituted for the education requirement.

Education Preferred

Bachelor’s degree in business administration, accounting, finance or related.

Experience Required 3 years Type of Experience

Related experience in organizational financial management.

Substitution for Experience Requirement

Education may not be substituted for the experience requirement.

Experience Preferred

- Professional work experience in higher education or non-profit organization
- Experience working with grants and/or contracts with federal and/or state agencies

License/Certification Required License/Certification Preferred Skills Required

- Advanced knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, email, and database software
- Demonstrated knowledge of accounting and accounting principles
- Advanced knowledge of accounting systems

Skills Preferred

- Demonstrated knowledge of post-award contract and grant procedures
- Ability to analyze financial data to reconcile accounts and prepare reports
- Familiarity with an integrated financial system (e.g. Banner, PeopleSoft, SAP)
- Knowledge of university policies and procedures
- Excellent organization and communication skills

Internal / External Contacts

Internal: Academic and administrative offices on campus

External: Corporate partners and granting agencies

Physical Demands

Must be able to work in front of a computer for up to eight hours per day.

Working Conditions

- Office environment
- Required to work extended hours as needed (evenings and weekends) to meet deadlines

Security Sensitive Yes Special Instructions to Applicants Quick Link for Posting http://jobs.rice.edu/postings/19708 Job Duties

Job Duty Name Essential Functions Description of Job Duty

- Performs general accounting activities, including the preparation, maintenance and reconciliation of ledger accounts and financial statements
- Analyzes general accounting transactions and information to summarize current financial position at the unit or organization-wide level
- Collects data and performs research on details of transactions
- Generates, reviews, analyzes and communicates financial data that reflects actual financial performance against approved budgets
- Prepares and presents quantitative and qualitative analyses focusing on variances from budget and prior data
- Maintains and reviews accounting process controls; recommends and implements any approved modifications; performs preliminary analysis and recommends solutions
- Produces and analyzes moderately complex financial reports, often from multiple systems; prepares basic management information reports
- May act as a lead and provide direction and training to less experience accounting staff

Job Duties

Job Duty Name Additional Duties Description of Job Duty

- Monitors faculty research funds and all department funds, ensuring funds are spent appropriately and within federal or contract guidelines where applicable
- Processes travel and purchases using online systems (Concur, Marketplace) for faculty, their students, research associates, and staff
- Reconciles fund expenditure paperwork to proper fund number making sure the expense is posted to correct account and the amount is expensed correctly; expenditure paperwork includes personnel action forms, labor redistributions, purchase orders, purchasing card transactions, check requests, etc.
- Provides monthly reporting to the faculty of fund balances, expenditures, projections, re-budgeting of funds, program and personnel changes, approvals for foreign travel and capital equipment purchases, etc.; monitors spend rate coinciding with project and budget end periods
- Provides faculty with reminders of progress reports – interim, annual and final reports required by granting agencies as needed
- Provides required financial reports and close-out documents
- Remains current on all research funding guidelines and regulations through training and informational sessions
- Collaborates with the Sr. Department Administrator on special projects when needed

Applicant Documents Required Documents

1. Cover Letter
2. Resume

Optional Documents

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

1. * Do you have a bachelor's degree?
   • Yes
   • No
2. * Do you have three years of related experience in organizational financial management?
   • Yes
   • No
3. * Do you have experience working in higher education or non-profit organizations?
   • Yes
   • No
4. * Describe your experience working with grants and/or contracts with federal and/or state agencies.

   (Open Ended Question)

5. * What is the minimum salary that you require for this position? Please indicate an hourly/yearly amount.

   (Open Ended Question)