What are the responsibilities and job description for the Sponsored Project Financial Accountant position at The George Washington University?
Posting Details
I. Job Overview
Job Description Summary:
The Grants and Contracts Accounting Services department is located within the Office of the University Controller at The George Washington University and is responsible for sound financial management of sponsored project funds.
This experienced position executes post-award administration of sponsored projects, which includes all functions associated with the fiscal administration of a portfolio of sponsored projects. This position resolves any issues and/or discrepancies and provides ad hoc accounting and/or analytic assistance as requested, under general supervision. This position also identifies and prepares the invoices due on a monthly basis across various schools, and ensures the accurate and timely completion of the invoice(s) in compliance with sponsor guidelines and university policies and procedures, while providing backup documentation accordingly. Additional responsibilities include reviewing expenditure categories, completing various post award efforts on a portfolio of awards and reviewing award set up data. This position is located centrally and has enterprise wide scope.
The Sponsored Project Financial Accountant position is responsible for monitoring and performing all functions associated with the fiscal administration of assigned sponsored projects and coordinates with the Office of the Vice President for Research ( OVPR ) to resolve any issues and/or discrepancies.
Minimum Qualifications:
Qualified candidates will hold a Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate area of specialization plus 2 years of relevant professional experience, or, a Master’s degree or higher in a relevant area of study. Degree must be conferred by the start date of the position. Degree requirements may be substituted with an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
Additional Required Licenses/Certifications/Posting Specific Minimum Qualifications:
Preferred Qualifications:
GW Staff Approach to Pay
How is pay for new employees determined at GW?
Healthcare Benefits
GW offers a comprehensive benefit package that includes medical, dental, vision, life & disability insurance, time off & leave, retirement savings, tuition, well-being and various voluntary benefits. For program details and eligibility, please visit https://hr.gwu.edu/benefits-programs.
II. JOB DETAILS
Campus Location: Ashburn, Virginia
College/School/Department: Finance
Family Research Administration
Sub-Family Grants/Contracts Accounting
Stream Individual Contributor
Level Level 2
Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-Time
Hours Per Week: 40
Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm
Will this job require the employee to work on site? Yes
Employee Onsite Status Hybrid
Telework: Yes
Required Background Check: Criminal History Screening, Education/Degree/Certifications Verification, Social Security Number Trace, and Sex Offender Registry Search
Special Instructions to Applicants:
Employer will not sponsor for employment Visa status
Internal Applicants Only? No
Posting Number: S014103
Job Open Date: 03/25/2026
Job Close Date:
If temporary, grant funded, Sponsored Project funded or limited term appointment, position funded until:
Background Screening Successful Completion of a Background Screening will be required as a condition of hire.
EEO Statement:
The university is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer that does not unlawfully discriminate in any of its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.
I. Job Overview
Job Description Summary:
The Grants and Contracts Accounting Services department is located within the Office of the University Controller at The George Washington University and is responsible for sound financial management of sponsored project funds.
This experienced position executes post-award administration of sponsored projects, which includes all functions associated with the fiscal administration of a portfolio of sponsored projects. This position resolves any issues and/or discrepancies and provides ad hoc accounting and/or analytic assistance as requested, under general supervision. This position also identifies and prepares the invoices due on a monthly basis across various schools, and ensures the accurate and timely completion of the invoice(s) in compliance with sponsor guidelines and university policies and procedures, while providing backup documentation accordingly. Additional responsibilities include reviewing expenditure categories, completing various post award efforts on a portfolio of awards and reviewing award set up data. This position is located centrally and has enterprise wide scope.
The Sponsored Project Financial Accountant position is responsible for monitoring and performing all functions associated with the fiscal administration of assigned sponsored projects and coordinates with the Office of the Vice President for Research ( OVPR ) to resolve any issues and/or discrepancies.
- Responsible for completing various post award efforts, including but not limited to the completion of financial reporting, invoicing and facilitating the closeout of awards with sponsors accurately and timely.
- Utilizes knowledge of procedures, sponsor guidelines, department and university policies.
- Updates trackers and electronic files, and coordinates with collections and cash management teams as needed.
- Performs detailed reviews of expenditure categories and other pertinent accounting details to ensure that costs reported conform to award terms of the grant agreement as well as other applicable governmental rules and regulations and institutional policies including but not limited to cost sharing, program income, etc.
- Reviews award set up data in Oracle after receiving alerts to ensure information correctly reflects corresponding award documentation (award dates, budget information, billing information, revenue recognition, methodology, rates, etc).
- Serves as an information resource to principal investigator/research representatives relative to award fiscal issues and University Policy.
- Develops effective working relationships as well as provide quality service to both internal and external customers. Maintains and/or enhances up-to-date knowledge and skills applicable to sponsored program activity through additional training, conferences, and meetings of research administration professional societies or through the review of professional literature.
Minimum Qualifications:
Qualified candidates will hold a Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate area of specialization plus 2 years of relevant professional experience, or, a Master’s degree or higher in a relevant area of study. Degree must be conferred by the start date of the position. Degree requirements may be substituted with an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
Additional Required Licenses/Certifications/Posting Specific Minimum Qualifications:
Preferred Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or a business related area.
- Professional designations (Certified Research Administrator ( CRA ) or Certified Management Accountant ( CMA )) preferred, but not required.
- Two years of progressive experience in accounting and finance.
- Experience in the grants and contract accounting (i.e. sponsored projects) area preferred.
- Working knowledge on 2 CFR Part 200 and the administrative requirements, cost principles, and audit requirements for federal & non-federal awards preferred.
- Working knowledge with Oracle financial software and other enterprise computer applications preferred.
- Excellent communication skills both verbal and written.
- Detail oriented, accurate, and excellent organizational skills and is a team player.
- Ability to work in a deadline driven environment and simultaneously deliver quality and quantity of work output.
- Communicates effectively with employees at all levels as well as internal and external stakeholders.
GW Staff Approach to Pay
How is pay for new employees determined at GW?
Healthcare Benefits
GW offers a comprehensive benefit package that includes medical, dental, vision, life & disability insurance, time off & leave, retirement savings, tuition, well-being and various voluntary benefits. For program details and eligibility, please visit https://hr.gwu.edu/benefits-programs.
II. JOB DETAILS
Campus Location: Ashburn, Virginia
College/School/Department: Finance
Family Research Administration
Sub-Family Grants/Contracts Accounting
Stream Individual Contributor
Level Level 2
Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-Time
Hours Per Week: 40
Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm
Will this job require the employee to work on site? Yes
Employee Onsite Status Hybrid
Telework: Yes
Required Background Check: Criminal History Screening, Education/Degree/Certifications Verification, Social Security Number Trace, and Sex Offender Registry Search
Special Instructions to Applicants:
Employer will not sponsor for employment Visa status
Internal Applicants Only? No
Posting Number: S014103
Job Open Date: 03/25/2026
Job Close Date:
If temporary, grant funded, Sponsored Project funded or limited term appointment, position funded until:
Background Screening Successful Completion of a Background Screening will be required as a condition of hire.
EEO Statement:
The university is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer that does not unlawfully discriminate in any of its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.
Salary : $57,554 - $94,999