Western Carolina University continues to rank high on Forbes 'Best Employers' lists each year. Including:

2024 - Ranking in the top 8.5% on Forbes 'America's Best Midsize Employers' list, WCU was ranked 34 out of the top 400 employers across all industries.

2023 - Ranked in the top 20% on Forbes 'America's Best Midsize Employers' list, WCU was ranked 97 out of the top 500 employers across all industries.

2022 - Ranked 14th in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes 'America's Best Employers by State' list.
Western Carolina University is the UNC system's westernmost campus and has been consistently ranked as one of the top 15 public regional institutions in the South.
Employees of WCU are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other resources, policies and programs to ensure a happy and healthy work/life balance. Benefit eligible employees have access to dental, vision and health insurance plans - eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire. Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan. Optional disability plans are also available.
Eligible employees have access to tuition waivers for up to three courses per academic year; employee may enroll at any of the constituent UNC System campuses. Also offered are free group exercise classes multiple times per week, a discounted membership to the campus recreation center, free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays and 24 hours of paid community service leave each year. Leave earning employees (staff and 12-month faculty) who work at least half of the working days of their first month of employment will begin accruing vacation and sick leave immediately. Paid parental leave after 12 months of continuous service.
WCU offers an abundance of training and development programs, certifications, workshops and conferences - many of which are offered free of charge.

The primary location of this position is the main Cullowhee, NC campus.

This position is responsible for the post-award fiscal administration of contracts and grants ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations, audit requirements, and University policies. This position must demonstrate a thorough knowledge of, and extensive experience with the management of post award accounting across the lifespan of sponsored awards. The post-award accountant is also responsible for complying with reporting requirements of sponsor agencies and within the university environment. This position must demonstrate strong technical and managerial skills, the ability to establish collaborative customer working relationships with university stakeholders and funding agencies; guide and be responsible for post-award accounting policy and receivable management for all active sponsored awards.

This position will establish post-award managerial procedures, set up grant accounts/budgets, monitor and oversee spending for all projects, maintain all financial records, reconcile all letter of credit drawdown accounts to reports of allowable expenses, manage the billing and collecting of all grants and contracts, monitor adherence to grants and contract terms and conditions, close out contracts and coordinate disposition of overruns and shortfalls, and manage subcontractors and subrecipient monitoring. This position will manage and supervise the grant specialist position in the Office of Research Administration.

This position will establish and maintain files; prepare the University's indirect cost proposal, billings and invoicing, and the office's Key Performance Indicators (KPI); provide monthly and year-end reports to administration, including assisting with annual financial report; monitor time and effort reports; serve as primary liaison to funding agencies on administrative issues; manage post-award administrative items; and ensure faculty and staff are aware of deadlines and reporting responsibilities.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities required for this position include knowledge of federal, state, and university regulations pertaining to grants including working knowledge of the uniform guidance and OMB circulars A-21 and A-110; familiarity with eRA systems; knowledge of Governmental Accounting Standards; demonstrated ability to interpret and apply grant award and contractual provisions.

Also need strong proficiency with Microsoft Office (excel, word, outlook, access); ability to perform complex grant and contract support work successfully and routinely under deadline; strong organizational and prioritization skills, and strong written and verbal communication skills.

Must be legally eligible to work in the United States without the need for employment sponsorship.

Masters degree in Accounting or related field and 2-4 years of experience or Bachelors degree in Accounting or related field and 3-5 years of experience.

Demonstrated experience with post-award grant administration experience in higher education or not-for-profit; experience using eRA systems to manage grants; CRA, CFRA or CPA.

Applicants must apply online in order to be considered. Hard copy materials will not be accepted for review.

Applicants must upload a cover letter, resume and list of at least three professional references (include complete contact information).

Applicants may also include a copy of any licenses/certifications as an optional attachment.

Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until a candidate has been selected for hire.

For questions or additional information, please contact Kloo Hansen at kchansen@wcu.edu or 828-227-2010.