Contract Accountant Jobs in Rio Rancho, NM (NOW HIRING)

The Department of Family and Community Medicine in the School of Medicine is seeking an initiative-taking, detail-oriented, and experienced Accountant 3 to join our administrative and financial operations team. This position plays a critical role in supporting the department's fiscal management by working closely with the Department Administrator, faculty, principal investigators (PIs), program managers and staff, and the accounting team to ensure the effective administration of a variety of funding sources.

The successful candidate will possess exceptional analytical, organizational, and communication skills and demonstrate the ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining a high level of accuracy. This position requires independent judgment, sound financial decision-making, and the ability to interpret complex financial information to support program operations.

The Accountant 3 is responsible for advanced accounting functions involving both restricted and unrestricted funds, which include contracts and grants, clinical revenues, state appropriations, gifts, and other funding sources. The individual will oversee daily financial activities, monitor budgets, prepare financial analyses and projections, ensure compliance with University of New Mexico policies and procedures, and provide strategic financial guidance to faculty and program leadership for the indexes they monitor.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Financial Management and Accounting

• Oversee the daily processing, monitoring, and accounting of revenues and expenditures across multiple funding sources.
• Review financial transactions to ensure accuracy, completeness, proper documentation, and compliance with University, local, state, federal, and sponsor requirements.
• Perform detailed reconciliations of accounts and investigate discrepancies to ensure accurate financial reporting.
• Monitor account balances and expenditures to ensure appropriate use of funds and adherence to budgetary and sponsor restrictions.

Budget Development and Financial Planning

• Develop, monitor, and manage departmental budgets for assigned programs and funding sources.
• Work collaboratively with principal investigators and program staff to manage the budgets on the accounts for which they are responsible.

Grant and Contract Administration

• Manage financial activities associated with sponsored research, grants, and contracts throughout the award lifecycle.
• Monitor restricted funds to ensure expenditures comply with sponsor guidelines, approved budgets, and reporting requirements.
• Coordinate with Grant & Contract Accounting to resolve financial issues and ensure timely reporting.

Financial Reporting

• Prepare monthly, quarterly, annual, and ad hoc financial reports for department leadership, principal investigators, program directors, and external funding agencies.
• Develop customized reports using University financial systems to meet operational and reporting needs.
• Present financial information and recommendations that support sound fiscal decision-making.

Compliance and Internal Controls

• Ensure compliance with University Business Policies and Procedures, sponsor regulations, and applicable federal and state requirements.
• Maintain strong internal controls to safeguard departmental financial resources.
• Prepare supporting documentation for internal and external audits and respond to audit inquiries.
• Identify potential compliance concerns and recommend corrective actions when appropriate.

Systems and Process Improvement

• Utilize University financial systems, including Banner, My Reports, CHROME, Lobo Web, Lobo Mart, Salary Planner, Budget Planner, Asset Categorization Reports, and other enterprise applications to manage financial information.
• Develop and implement efficient financial processes, workflows, and documentation procedures to improve operational effectiveness.

Collaboration and Customer Service

• Collaborate with the Department Administrator and the department's accounting team to resolve financial challenges and support departmental initiatives.
• Build positive working relationships with internal and external stakeholders while providing exceptional customer service.

• Perform other job-related duties as assigned to support the mission and objectives of the Department of Family and Community Medicine.