ADMINISTRATIVE FACULTY JOB DESCRIPTION
APPROVED POSITION INFORMATION
(to be completed by HR)
Effective: June 1, 2015
Title
Range
JCC
2
78417
Project Accountant
Essential Function: Sedentary Work
Description: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force
frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body.
Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time, but may involve walking or standing for brief
periods of time.
1. Summary Statement: State the major function(s) of the position, the role in the
university, and the supervisor’s title.* (This section is used for advertisement of the
position.)
The Project Accountant assumes responsibility over specialized and complex accounting areas
such as Utility Accounting or Construction Project Accounting and provides support in
reviewing accounting transactions to ensure accuracy and compliance. The Accountant
reconciles, analyzes, and compiles information to create and prepare complex spreadsheets in
order to provide projections, forecasts, analysis, and fiscal reports to the Facilities Services
Department. The Accountant supports Facilities Service Accounting Services and reports
directly to the Assistant Director, Accounting Services.
* Attach an organizational chart with positions, ranges, and names for the division.
2. List the major responsibilities, including percentage of time devoted to each. Provide
enough detail to enable a person outside the department to understand the job
(percentage first with heading and then bulleted information). If line of progression,
define for each range as above.
60% - Specialized Program Accounting
 Maintains an accounting system to ensure accurate budgeting, recording and tracking of all
purchases and payments to include maintaining a system to detect, investigate and report
any potential anomalies
 Plans, coordinates, and implements billing and payment of services
 Analyzes rate changes, trends, estimates, and projections to identify significant changes
and recommends updates to rates and/or budgets
 Monitors current budget expenses and income in relation to projections and makes
adjustments accordingly
 Closes out accounts and establishes new accounts to include identifying and ensuring
funding is received, restrictions are identified and terms and conditions of contracts are
followed
 Provides consultation to coordinators and managers on the status of funds, restrictions,
methods of payment, budget limitations and shortfalls
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Project Accountant
25% - Accounting Reconciliation and Audit of Transactions
 Coordinates with other departments and reconciles funds for complex projects with diverse
funding sources (i.e. state taxes, donations, bonds)
 Oversees the implementation of subordinate Facilities Services budget and activities which
may include, but is not limited to, travel and training, fixed assets and sensitive equipment
budgets
 Provides higher level consultation in regards to complaints, complex problems and proper
procedures
15% - Leadership
 Mentors and provides direction to Facilities Services Accounting Services staff assistants in
accounting, office technology, and software use
 Creates and provides training to Facilities Services staff on financial and budget topics
 Collaborates with co-workers and the Assistant Director of Accounting Services in creating
and implementing process improvements and best practices
 Creates and updates department policies and procedures
 Prepares reports, analysis and special projects for Facilities Services and University
Management
 Oversee reporting and adherence to compliance
3. Describe the types of decisions the position(s) makes independently as part of the core
responsibilities. Provide examples. If a line of progression, describe the decisions made
at the highest level.
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The Accountant may determine when fund drawdowns are necessary and which
expenditures are applied to differing funding types such as:
o determine when sufficient donations have been received on a construction
project to submit a drawdown on a note or bond
o determine the timing of additional funds to ensure funds are available for
expenses and maximizes earned interest
o ensure restricted funds are used only on the appropriate expenditures
The Accountant may adjust calculation models based on new information and also
determine when budget adjustments are necessary such as:
o adjust interest rate calculations for construction retainage when interest rates
increase or decrease
o adjust utility projection models based on rate changes and/or changes is space
o adjust funding models based on changing sources of funds or changes in
expected revenue from fund sources
4. Describe the types of problems, issues, action, communications this position typically
takes to the supervisor for resolution and/or consultation. Provide examples. If a line of
progression, describe the supervisory consultation at the highest level.
The Accountant consults with the Assistant Director of Accounting Services on all issues that fall
outside of established policies, procedures and accounting practices and when issues of noncompliance are suspected. Such as:
 Obtain clarification of funding changes and discuss the impact to budgets. For example,
discuss how to handle the impact of reduced donation to a project budget.
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Project Accountant

Discuss changes in space funding and the impact to Operations and Management
budget and how to accommodate the changes.
5. Select the applicable competencies required to successfully perform the job. The
selected competencies will be evaluated within the Administrative Faculty evaluation as
Competencies for Success.
Competency
Required
Adaptability
☒
Analytical Thinking
☒
Communication
☒
Diversity and Inclusion
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Financial Responsibilities
☒
Human Resource Responsibilities
☐
Leadership
☒
Program/Project/Functional Knowledge
☒
Resource Responsibilities
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Serving Constituents
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Teamwork
☒
Other (specify)
☐
6. Minimum requirements of the position. Minimum requirements should be consistent
with the Job Evaluation Model. If Line of Progression, minimum requirements must be
defined for each range.
Education
Experience
Bachelor’s Degree
Two years of relevant work experience
Master’s Degree
One year of relevant work experience
Relevant Experience: in general accounting, project accounting, cost
accounting, and/or utility accounting
Certification and Licensure: (bulleted)
 Nevada Class “C” or higher operator’s license within 30 days of appointment
Schedule or Travel Requirements: (bulleted)
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Project Accountant
Optional Addendum: If the job description is generic for use across multiple
departments, the department is free to add an addendum for departmental specific duties
which may be performed. Generic job descriptions for a limited number of titles are
available at www.unr.edu/hr.
Optional Addendum: Describe the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to successful
performance of this job (in bullet format).
Knowledge of:
 Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
 Higher education accounting requirements and financial policies and procedures
 Fund accounting concepts, with emphasis in college/university, governmental or nonprofit environment
 Purchasing rules, regulations and policies
 Financial and accounting internal control standards
 Accounts payable and accounts receivable processing
 Accounting, forecasting, budgeting, project accounting and cost accounting principles
and processes, financial statement preparation and evaluation, account reconciliation,
fund accounting and budgeting.
 Higher education accounting and business procedures
Skills:
 Expertise in quantitative and qualitative data reporting and analysis using current
spreadsheet (Excel) and database (Access) applications.
 Proficiency in use of a personal computer and current software applications including but
not limited to Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Access, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook),
CIAS and Advantage
Ability to:
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Understand and interpret formalized policies, guidelines, rules and regulations
Gain and understanding of complex issues and analyze complex data
Interact effectively with administrative faculty and staff and other employees at all levels
of responsibilities
Explain complex processes and procedures
Write reports, business correspondence and procedures
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