*Accountant I - Investigative Cancer Therapeutics

Required

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Accounting or related. One year of experience required with degree in Business Administration or related field. With a degree in Accounting, no experience is required. OR Four years of MDACC accounting experience may be substituted for the Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or related field with one additional year of related experience. Degree substitution may only be made for MDACC accounting experience.

Preferred

Medical terminology

It is the policy of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state or local laws unless such distinction is required by law. http://www.mdanderson.org/about-us/legal-and-policy/legal-statements/eeo-affirmative-action.html

Key Functions

1.       Industry and non-industry sponsored contracts/budget negotiation and management

-          Negotiate  clinical trial budgets with industry sponsors

-          Work with sponsors and ICT regulatory team to process budget amendments

-          Coordinate with Clinical Research Finance to ensure timely approval of budgets

-          Complete Advance Set Up requests for new clinical trials

-          Signature collection and submission for final approval

2.    Financial/Accounting

–        Provide guidance and advice to faculty regarding the appropriate utilization of funds within institutional policies and procedures.

–        Prepare adjusting and closing entries, statements, and analyze financial operations as required.

–        For ad hoc reports, assemble data from special financial statements and other reports.

–        Assist in the preparation of monthly and annual financial reports and other special reports, as required.

3.    Company/center management and reconciliation

–        Monitor balances and track income and expenses for assigned co/centers, auditing debit and credit transactions for accuracy and conformance with established procedures and regulations.

–        Maintain appropriate salary allocations on all sources of funds, including grants and contracts.  Initiate JDUFs for changes in source of funds for personnel salary support.

–        Prepare basic accounting data items such as journal vouchers, for entry into the accounting system.

–        Initiate contact with departmental representatives, other agencies or personnel to resolve problems or questions regarding basic accounting data items.

–        Monitor accuracy and appropriateness of expenses charged to co/centers.

–        Monitor adherence to institutional and state guidelines and deadlines for event expenses, purchasing, and reimbursable expenses (including travel).

–        Audit vouchers and other documents processed during the daily course of business for accuracy and conformance with established General Accounting procedures and system and state regulations.

–        Maintain controlling records required to ensure accuracy of all data entered into the accounting system.

–        Perform monthly reconciliation of co/centers against Status of Company Center statements.

–        Perform related duties relevant to closing the monthly and annual financial statements and other duties as required.

4.   Clinical trial contract invoicing

–        Submit approved research charge tickets (“blue tickets”) for research charges to PBS

–        Maintain an up-to-date tracking tool for monitoring when contracts are due to be invoiced.

–        Maintain an up-to-date tracking tool for monitoring when contract invoices are paid and ensure the appropriate distribution of funds received.

–        Monitor industry grants for assigned faculty and initiate the invoicing process in accordance with agreements. Work closely with Grants and Contracts Accounting, Research Nurses, and other study personnel to provide the appropriate information for invoicing.

–        Interact with external funding agencies to ensure proper invoicing and payment for clinical trials according to the contractual agreements.

–        Meet regularly with PIs to discuss payment or budget issues.

5   Other duties as assigned.

The performance for all functions is measured by observation by supervisor, reports from faculty and co-workers, the accuracy and timeliness of work produced, and the demonstrated ability to effectively work under stress.  The position also requires one to anticipate needs, to recognize situations requiring assistance and have the ability to refer or perform any necessary tasks, and to comprehend the goals of the department and take the initiative in making decisions and taking actions to further these goals.

The above functions require the following abilities and skills:

·         Demonstrated proficiency in MS Excel, MS Access, Hyperion, and other institutional financial systems.

·         Demonstrated thorough working knowledge of institutional and state guidelines, which include purchasing, check requests, petty cash and travel.  Also a demonstrated working knowledge of mainframe access programs to monitor company center activities.

·         Ability to practice independently, strong verbal and written communication skills, organizational and critical judgment skills, and be able to interact effectively with patients and co-workers. 

·         Strong attention to detail.

·         Ability to work with personal computers using standard word processing software, spreadsheets, and programs for database and graphics usage.

·         Ability to maintain a satisfactory work environment by organizing and redistributing files, records, etc., requiring bending, stooping, reaching, manual handling, walking, visually inspecting, extended standing, sitting and repetitive motions.  May be required to lift up to 15 pounds.

·         Requires use of computer via keyboard, and operating facsimile machine, calculator, printer, photocopy machine, etc.  Requires the use of push-button, multiple line telephone set.  Must be able to master new software by utilizing available resources (other program personnel, reference manual, training classes, etc.)

·         Be clearly understood by verbal communication in face-to-face encounters and by telephone.