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The Grants Accounting Process SME brings specialized expertise in sponsored research accounting, financial controls, and system-enabled process design within a university or academic medical center. This role strengthens the full grant accounting lifecycle—from award setup through revenue recognition to closeout—ensuring accuracy, compliance, and operational efficiency. The SME collaborates with research administration, post-award accounting, departments, internal controls, and payroll to standardize workflows, reduce risk, and optimize Workday or other ERP-driven grant accounting processes.

Grant Award-to-Close Process Design

+ Design end-to-end award-to-close workflows for fixed-price and cost-reimbursable grants.

+ Map all accounting requirements across setup, budgeting, spending, payroll, F&A, billing, revenue recognition, and closeout.

Grant Worktags, Journals & Financial Treatment

+ Define proper use of grant worktags for program income, direct expenses, F&A, revenue recognition, and deficit clearing.

+ Standardize journal entry practices to align with the chart of accounts and sponsor requirements.

Reconciliations & Financial Controls

+ Develop a repeatable reconciliation process for unbilled receivables to ensure accurate billing and revenue recognition.

+ Provide clear fund reconciliation guidance and enforce proper fund usage for all grant-related activity.

+ Enhance internal controls across the grant lifecycle, including segregation of duties and audit readiness.

Grant Closeout Standardization

+ Design and document a standardized Workday (or ERP) closeout process covering reconciliations, reporting, approvals, and final financial actions.

+ Ensure all grant and fund balances are reconciled prior to closeout in compliance with sponsor requirements and Uniform Guidance.

Budgeting & Forecasting Improvements

+ Enhance annual budgeting with award- and worktag-level detail, sponsor-aligned timelines, and visibility into planned vs. actual spend.

+ Collaborate with Pre-Award and departments to improve projections and burn-rate analysis.

Roles, Responsibilities & Compliance

+ Document detailed roles and responsibilities by job title and program, including financial owners, preparers, approvers, and reviewers.

+ Integrate effort certification duties to ensure compliance and audit readiness.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

+ Collaborate with Post-Award Accounting, Billing, Internal Controls, Payroll, Program Managers, Department Administrators, and Central Research Administration.

+ Lead process design workshops to ensure alignment across university and healthcare units with diverse financial structures.

Execution, Policy Development & Change Management

+ Develop policies, procedures, SOPs, and process maps.

+ Prioritize workstreams, manage stakeholders, and drive adoption of new processes.

+ Support testing and validation of accounting and workflow changes in Workday or other ERPs.

+ Communicate complex accounting and compliance concepts clearly and effectively.

Grants Accounting & Sponsored Research Expertise

+ In-depth knowledge of federal, state, and industry post-award requirements, including:

+ Uniform Guidance

+ NIH, NSF, HRSA, DOD regulations

+ Clinical research billing and accounting distinctions

+ Skilled in grant billing, revenue recognition, F&A calculation, fund reconciliation, and financial reporting.

Financial, Analytical & Process Design Skills

+ Strong foundation in fund accounting, balance sheet reconciliation, cost transfers, and audit controls.

+ Proven ability to design standardized accounting workflows that improve accuracy, compliance, and timeliness.

+ Analytical problem-solver with expertise in documentation and policy development.

Collaboration & Communication

+ Experienced in partnering with finance, research, clinical units, internal controls, and IT teams.

+ Effective facilitator driving cross-functional alignment and decision-making.

+ Clear communicator adept at explaining complex financial and compliance concepts to diverse audiences.

Preferred Skills

+ Familiarity with Workday Financials/Grants or other ERP systems (PeopleSoft, Oracle, SAP, Banner).

+ Knowledge of system-driven workflows, security roles, and FDM/COA structures.

+ Experience supporting UAT, configuration reviews, and system-integrated accounting processes.

+ Variety of workplace arrangements including hybrid, remote, onsite.

+ Compensation commensurate with employee qualifications, experience, and other factors including geographic location, market, and operational factors.

+ Pay Range: $100-$200/hr.

+ Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life insurance, Disability insurance, 401(k) savings plan, Employee Stock Purchase plan, Professional development program, Paid Time Off, Paid Sick Time (in geographies where legally required)

+ An inspirational place for you to do your best work, be engaged in meaningful ways, and continually develop the skills, competencies, and qualities that set our team apart.

At RGP, we're creating a future where businesses produce their best work without constraints. We've built a global network of over 2,600 experts across four regions, providing a comprehensive suite of solutions across on-demand talent, next-generation consulting, and outsourced services to support organizations at every stage of their growth journey. Trusted by Fortune 100 companies and emerging disruptors alike, we challenge conventional ways of working, drive growth, and pave the way for long-term success through bold innovation and fearless collaboration.

Our values guide everything we do and strengthen our commitment to people. By combining smart processes, human-centered design, and advanced technology, we celebrate our team's excellence and ensure we grow together. We believe in the power of continuous learning and development to drive both individual and organizational success. It’s time to rethink how work gets done. Dare to Work Differently® with RGP.

RGP is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other legally protected trait and encourage all applicants to apply.