Accountant Jobs in Madison, WI

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Job category:

Employment type:

Job profile:

Job summary:

The University of Wisconsin-Madison's Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (RSP) is responsible for administration of the extramural research grants and contracts to the University of Wisconsin-Madison. RSP currently manages an open portfolio of over $4 Billion with annual awards over $1.5 Billion. The duties and responsibilities of this research administration position include the financial administration and accounting of grants and contracts awarded to the University of Wisconsin-Madison by Federal and Non-Federal sources.

This position will perform complex accounting duties, prepare and submit financial reports and invoices, monitor accounts receivable, process payments, and deliver training to others. They will collaborate with campus representatives to monitor, interpret, analyze, and reconcile financial data for sponsored programs. This position interacts directly with project sponsors and subrecipients related to financial reporting, invoicing, payments, and auditing on behalf of the university to ensure compliance.

Key job responsibilities:

• Audits and approves financial transactions such as subaward invoices, PI transfers, refunds, payments, cost transfers and fiscal closeout of awards and projects (20%)

• Answers questions and advises campus stakeholders of correct processes and procedures for award management (25%)

• Prepares and analyzes financial reports and invoices, data and records, identifies discrepancies, investigates, and recommends solutions as needed for accuracy on sponsored grants and contracts (15%)

• Works within the enterprise resource planning (ERP) system to establish awards, review expenditures, issue invoices, manage accounts receivable, and process post award modifications (15%)

• Analyzes, interprets, and processes complex extramural award actions to ensure financial requirements per federal, state, university, and sponsor regulations are followed on behalf of the institution (25%)

Department:

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions on teams within the Office of Vice Chancellor for Research (OVCR), Research and Sponsored Programs (RSP), Research Financial Services, Post-Award units.

Compensation:

The starting salary for this position is $68,000 but is negotiable based on experience and qualifications.

This position will receive a comprehensive benefits package, including generous paid time off, competitively priced health/dental/vision/life insurance, tax-advantaged retirement savings accounts, and participation in the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) pension fund.

Required qualifications:

1. Excellent oral and written communication skills.
2. Ability to think critically and problem-solve.
3. Independent decision-making.
4. Attention to detail.
5. Customer service orientation and ability to work collaboratively among unique groups.
6. Excellent organizational and time-management skills.
7. Ability to teach others and adjust to change.
8. Knowledge of, or ability to learn, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
9. Knowledge of, or ability to learn, University, State, Federal, and/or Non-Federal rules and regulations related to sponsored programs (i.e. Uniform Guidance, governmental cost accounting practices and principles).

Preferred qualifications:

1. Experience with sponsored project award management.
2. Experience with creating, interpreting, and analyzing financial reports.
3. Experience with complex financial systems and office software (Workday, Microsoft products, Perceptive Content, etc.).
4. Experience with Workday and RAMP

Education:

Bachelor's degree preferred. Preferably in Business, Accounting, or closely related field.

How to apply:

To be considered, applications must be submitted online. To apply for this position, please click on the "I am a current employee" button or "I am not a current employee" button under Apply Now to start the application process.

You will be required to upload a cover letter and resume. Please note, there is only one attachment field. You must upload all your documents in the attachment filed.

A successful applicant will be responsible for ensuring eligibility for employment in the United States on or before the effective date of the appointment. University sponsorship is not available for this position.

Multiple positions/vacancies might become available, and this recruitment will be used to fill vacancies over the next 6 months.

The deadline to apply for this position is Tuesday, July 14th, 2026.

Contact information:

caitlin.wilhelm@wisc.edu

Institutional statement on diversity:

Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgrounds and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.

To request a disability or pregnancy-related accommodation for any step in the hiring process (e.g., application, interview, pre-employment testing, etc.), please contact the Divisional Disability Representative (DDR) in the division you are applying to. Please make your request as soon as possible to help the university respond most effectively to you.

Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct, including sexual violence and sexual harassment.

The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).

The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. UW-Madison will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the University of Wisconsin Police Department.