Research Accountant I
Salary
$64,000.00 - $70,000.00 Annually
Location
Denver Metro, CO
Job Type
Full Time
Job Number
JR108198
Department
Colorado School of Mines
Opening Date
06/03/2026
Closing Date
7/3/2026 11:59 PM Mountain
FLSA
Determined by Position
Primary Physical Work Address
1500 Illinois Street Golden Colorado 80401
Hiring Pay Rate
$64,000 - $70,000
FLSA Status
Exempt; position is not eligible for overtime compensation.
Department Contact Information
Kathy White, Talent Acquisition Partner, kwhite1@mines.edu
Type of Announcement
This announcement is not governed by the selection processes of the classified personnel system. Applications will be considered from residents and non-residents of Colorado.
How To Apply
Online applications through the Colorado Jobs portal will not be accepted. Please follow instructions on the job announcement for submitting an application.
Description
Benefits
Department Information
Engineering a world of possibilities
As our next Research Accountant I, you will be responsible for the expense management of research grants and contracts in the Office of Research Administration (ORA). This position is key to the research team and serves as a resource to faculty and administrators regarding the financial administration of sponsored research awards. Essential duties include the set-up of new awards in the financial system, expense and account monitoring, financial reporting, financial closeout and other post-award financial analysis and support for sponsored awards.
As a Research Accountant, you will interpret federal, state and School terms and advise Mines' research community on their application. This position requires critical thinking skills to apply regulatory interpretation to sponsored activity. You will also be responsible for independently compiling, analyzing, and presenting financial data. You will work with campus constituents including faculty and staff to manage and reconcile sponsored activity.
This position is currently hybrid; the successful candidate must commute to campus in Golden, Colorado on a regular basis.
Description of Job
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
Award set-up and modifications
Transactional responsibilities include: Create new research accounts and amend existing accounts in the School's financial system and ORA's enterprise project tracking system. Utilize information obtained from the legal agreement, proposal documents and other project related documents. Decides appropriate financial codes to input into the School's financial system to accurately administer and monitor awards in accordance with federal regulations, sponsor terms and conditions, and School policy.
Become familiar with Sponsor agreement format, financial terms and conditions to be able to perform setup appropriately.
Award Financial Monitoring
Monitor, review and reconcile award budgets, balances and expenses. This includes deficit monitoring and expense review both pre-expenditure and post-expenditure. Expenses must be allowable, allocable, and reasonable in accordance with grant terms and conditions, the budget limits and period of performance.
Review, approve, and perform transactional salary redistributions and journal entries as needed to ensure proper expenditure accounting.
Identify, investigate and resolve discrepancies or errors found within research accounts. Resolution will require coordination with the applicable faculty members, ORA staff members, other departments and/or project sponsor, as applicable.
Assist the Property Manager in the Controller's Office to ensure all equipment is titled, accounted and tagged properly within School systems and per regulations.
Develop and/or update ad-hoc reports using data from the School's systems or other database applications for tracking, diagnostic and financial analysis of sponsored activity.
Become familiar with Uniform Guidance regulation to be able to perform financial monitoring appropriately.
Award Reporting
Prepare and accurately submit required financial reports within sponsoring agency timeframes. This position will analyze the financial statements, supporting documentation and other necessary information for each research account to ensure accurate financial reports are submitted.
Prepare and accurately submit required non-financial reports within sponsoring agency timeframes. This includes Property Reports, Patent Reports, Cost Share reports, etc.
Utilize School systems to extract data needed for required reporting. Successfully navigate sponsor reporting systems to submit required reports.
Award Closeout
Determines and performs all closeout actions required by sponsoring agency and School policy and procedures, including, but not limited to:
Maintain a detailed tracking of closeout activities.
Track all outstanding accounts receivable actions to successfully coordinate the process of financial closeout between the grant sub-ledger and the school's General Ledger
Perform final expense review and account reconciliation
Training and Process Improvement
Provide guidance, advice, and training in policy, procedures, and regulations related to research administration to faculty, department administrators, college fiscal officers and other administrative departments.
Actively participate in office wide process evaluation and reengineering efforts. Critically evaluate process and procedures with a goal of efficiency and optimal resource utilization. Make recommendations for improvements to management and lead improvement efforts if approved.
Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration or the equivalent in experience
Two or more years of accounting experience
Working knowledge of federal and other pertinent external research regulations.
Experience using spreadsheets, databases, presentation software, and enterprise financial systems
Demonstrated customer service skills, the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a broad community and ability to meet multiple deadlines
Analyzation and problem-solving skills including the ability to use independent judgment
Effective oral and written communication skills
Salary and Benefits
$64,000 - $70,000 annual salary rate
Mines takes into consideration a combination of candidate's education, training and experience as well as the position's scope and complexity, the discretion and latitude required in the role, work location, and external market and internal value when determining a salary level for potential new employees.
Colorado School of Mines offers a robust portfolio of benefits for all employees. For this role, that includes:
Flexible health and dental care options
Generous sick/vacation time: 13 paid holidays per year - including a week-long winter break for entire campus.
Fully vested retirement plan on first day of employment, with generous employer contribution
Tuition benefits (6 credits per year for employees, 50 percent discount for dependents)
Free RTD Ecopass
All Mines employees also have access todiscount programs (https://stateofcolorado.benefithub.com/app/home) through the State of Colorado and free tickets for MinesAthletics (https://minesathletics.com/) home games, as well as access to the state of the artRecreation Center (https://minesathletics.com/facilities/student-recreation-center/13) (fitness classes and training, swimming pool and more) and equipment rentals through theOutdoor Rec Center (https://minesathletics.com/sports/2016/7/10/outdoor-recreation-home.aspx) . We are proud to have recently opened an oncampus daycare center (https://www.mines.edu/human-resources/employee-total-rewards/benefits/faculty-staff-benefits/more-for-you-aa/mines-early-childhood-center/) . For more details about benefits at Mines, visit mines.edu/human-resources/benefits .
How to Apply
Applicants must visithttps://mines.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/Mines\Careers/details/Research-Accountant-I\JR108198to apply:
Complete an online application (personal information, demographic information, veteran status)
Upload a cover letter
Upload a resume or CV
Candidates must be currently authorized to work in the United States. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
This posting may be used to fill more than one vacancy based on business needs.
References will not be contacted until later in the selection process and you will be informed before that contact is made.
Successful completion of a background investigation is required for this position.
About Mines & Golden, CO
When the world looks for answers, the world looks to Mines.
Colorado School of Mines is a top-ranked public university solving the grand challenges facing our society, particularly those related to the Earth, energy and the environment. Founded in 1874 with specialties in mining and metallurgy, Mines' scope and mission have continually expanded to meet the needs of industry and society. Today, we are the No. 36 public university in the nation, recognized for our innovation and undergraduate teaching in science, technology engineering and math (U.S. News and World Report, 2025).
Mines graduates are change makers, boundary breakers and problem solvers. Since our earliest days, a Mines education has been and continues to be a transformational opportunity, with one of the strongest returns on investment out there for talented STEM students of all backgrounds.
At the same time, Mines faculty members are pushing their fields in new directions, whether that's manufacturing, space resources, quantum engineering, carbon capture or more. Mines was recently classified as a R1 "Very High Activity" research institution by Carnegie, a notable feat for any university but particularly one of our size.
That size - roughly 8,200 undergraduate and graduate students - also translates to a close-knit campus community, where employees have opportunities to get involved in multiple ways, continued professional learning is valued and everyone can make an impact.
Community Alliance groups bring together employees for professional development, networking, and community involvement, and all Mines employees also have access to the wealth of activities happening every day on campus - nationally-renowned speakers, special events and Mines traditions like Engineering Days, just to name a few.
And don't get us started on our hometown. We are located in the heart of Golden, Colorado --with its charming historic downtown and nearby hiking trails - and in close proximity to all that Denver and the Rocky Mountains have to offer. That includes the sunny, high-altitude climate and outstanding outdoor recreation opportunities that make the Denver area an ideal place to live, work and play.
Are you looking for an inspiring, mission-driven workplace where you can contribute to solving the world's problems and educating the next generation of change makers? Are you an individual who values a community where our individual perspectives and experiences enrich the educational and work experience?
Look to Mines.
Additional Information and Reasonable Accommodation RequestsIt is the intent of Mines to comply with the applicable requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008, and their implementation rules and regulations, in support of equal opportunities for qualified applicants with disabilities. To meet this goal, Mines will make reasonable accommodations during the employment selection process and within our working environment.
If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings or apply for a job on our site as a result of your disability. You can request a reasonable accommodation by contacting our Human Resources team at hr@mines.edu or 303.273.3250 for assistance.
Successful completion of a background investigation is required for this position.Equal Opportunity
Colorado School of Mines is committed to equal opportunity for all persons. Mines does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, gender (including gender identity and gender expression), ancestry, creed, marital status, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status or current military service. Further, Mines does not retaliate against community members for filing complaints regarding or implicating any of these protected statuses.
Mines' commitment to nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and equal access is reflected in the administration of its policies, procedures, programs and activities and in its efforts to achieve a talented student body and workforce.
Through its policies, procedures and resources, Mines complies with federal law, Colorado state law, administrative regulations, executive orders and other legal requirements to prevent discrimination (including harassment or retaliation) within the Mines campus community and to address potential allegations of inequality or concerns for safety.
Employer
State of Colorado
Address
See the full announcement by clickingthe "Printer" icon located above the job titleLocation varies by announcement, Colorado, --
Website
https://careers.colorado.gov/
