Fiscal Affairs
Developed with the help of volunteer leaders and member institutions across the country, The Job Descriptions Index provides access to sample job descriptions for positions unique to higher education.
Descriptions housed within the index are aligned with the annual survey data collected by the CUPA-HR research team.
Sample Job Descriptions
Chief Cost Accounting Administrator
Directs institution-wide cost accounting activities, including development of facilities and administrative fringe benefit rates. Negotiates fringe benefit rates with the federal government, manages fixed assets for the institution, develops and maintains institution’s disclosure statement required by federal government, and develops institutional policy and procedures.
SAMPLE JOB DESCRIPTIONS
Controller (The University of Maryland, College Park)
Senior Accountant (Cochise College)
Manager, Accounting (Kennesaw State University)
Contract and Grants Specialist
Responsible for the coordination of pre-award and/or post-award activities relating to grant and contract proposals. Pre-award activities include assisting departmental faculty in the development, preparation, and submission of grant and contract proposals. Also ensures that all applications meet agency and university guidelines and published time tables and deadlines. Post-award activities include establishment of accounts in the financial accounting system, re-budgeting of funds, and making of changes to the award or expenditures. Requires a bachelor’s degree or equivalent plus 2-3 years’ related experience.
SAMPLE JOB DESCRIPTIONS
Grants Assistant (Kennesaw State University)
Contract Administrator (The University of Maryland, College Park)
Grants Specialist II (Washington University)
Grants and Community Engagement Coordinator (Southern College of Optometry)
Director-Grants & Community Engagement (Southern College of Optometry)
Director of Grants Management (Cochise College)
Senior Director of Grants and Donor Operations (Notre Dame of Maryland University)
Grant Writer, Sponsored Contracts/ Grants Administration
Assists the Principal Investigator (PI) with the development or completion of non-technical aspects of grant proposals. Typically responsible for editing, formatting, and the submission of grant proposals. May also research sources for grant opportunities for the principle investigators. Can assist with fundamental budget preparation for grant proposals.
SAMPLE JOB DESCRIPTIONS
Grants & Contracts Writer (Kennesaw State University)
Grant Manager/Development Writer (York College of Pennsylvania)
Grant Professional (Johnson County Community College)
Restricted Funds Accountant, Sponsored Contracts
Coordinates the budget portion of the pre-award cycle and manages the post-award cycle of sponsored projects, grants, contracts, and special funds. Position often reports to the Comptroller.
SAMPLE JOB DESCRIPTIONS
Grants Accountant (Cochise College)
