Columbia University is one of the world's most important centers of research and at the same time a distinctive and distinguished learning environment for undergraduates and graduate students in many scholarly and professional fields. The University recognizes the importance of its location in New York City and seeks to link its research and teaching to the vast resources of a great metropolis. It seeks to attract a diverse and international faculty and student body, to support research and teaching on global issues, and to create academic relationships with many countries and regions.  It expects all areas of the university to advance knowledge and learning at the highest level and to convey the products of its efforts to the world.  Columbia is one of the top academic and research institutions in the world, conducting path breaking research in medicine, science, the arts, and the humanities. It includes three undergraduate schools, thirteen graduate and professional schools, a world-renowned medical center, four affiliated colleges and seminaries, twenty-five libraries, and more than one hundred research centers and institutes.  The creation of the Columbia Climate School was recently announced and while not yet operational, is the first new school in 25 years at the University.  Columbia can claim 86 Nobel Laureates as well as over 380 new inventions each year.  Columbia is rated in the top 10 of private employers in NYC, and minorities make up 45% of faculty and staff. We are committed to attracting and retaining the best and brightest in the workforce to support our mission of excellence in higher education and research.

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

Reporting to the Senior Finance and Compliance Manager, the Finance and Compliance Manager is responsible for assisting the Sponsored Projects Finance Team with the financial administration of a diverse portfolio of private and public grants and contracts of varied complexity, ensuring that they are administered in a fiscally responsible manner, complying with all applicable rules and regulations established by both the sponsor agency and the University.  Responsible for ensuring the accuracy and timeliness of financial data, assisting in the preparation of financial reports and billings to sponsors, tracking receipt of funding and receivables (aging and uncollectable), collecting accounts receivable for accounts, and participating in account close-out; provides institutional oversight by monitoring the allowable and appropriate recording of expenses to sponsored projects and the general ledger in order to ensure compliance with generally acceptable accounting principles (GAAP) and sponsor reporting requirements; prepares required close-out documents for grants and/or contracts, including contractors' releases and assignments; reviews sponsoring agency policies, regulatory documents and other literature related to sponsored project financial administration to maintain familiarity with granting and contracting agency policies and revisions.  Responsible for customer service, a core mission of the department, by identifying internal and external customers and providing them with the appropriate support regarding sponsored project financial administration and general ledger accounting.  Assists management in identifying opportunities to streamline and improve processes, providing input for automating processes, and actively implementing changes, as needed.  Maintains records in accordance with internal procedures, demonstrating compliance with sponsor regulations concerning equipment, project expenditures and other fiscal concerns, and interacts with auditors during their reviews.  Performs special projects and other related duties as assigned.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

Bachelor’s degree and/or equivalent, plus a minimum of three years' related accounting experience required; CPA preferred.  Experience with grant accounting and/or fund accounting preferred.  Demonstrated knowledge of research administration / grants management and accounting business processes preferred.  Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) required.  Must be comfortable working with databases and computerized financial systems.  Must be able to identify priorities within multiple assignments in a high-pressured, short-deadline environment, and be able to work with diplomacy and efficiency in such an environment.  Must be able to demonstrate excellent organizational, analytical, critical thinking, interpersonal, written and oral communication skills.  In addition, the successful candidate must be able to work well with all levels of employees, be flexible in nature, have sound judgment with an open and collaborative style that encourages teamwork and cooperation beyond the immediate team to the broader organization.  Must have a passion for excellent customer service and commitment to exceptional quality.

To be considered an applicant, all interested parties MUST apply through the Columbia University online employment application system. Paste the following quick link into your browser to access this position posting:

http://opportunities.columbia.edu/cw/en-us/job/513631?lApplicationSubSourceID=

Columbia University is an Equal Employment / Affirmative Action Employer