HudsonAlpha - Staff Accountant

Position Title: Staff Accountant

Position Type: Full Time

INSTITUTE OVERVIEW

The HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology (www.hudsonalpha.org) is a non-profit organization with the mission to use biotechnology and basic biological research to make important discoveries, improve human health, stimulate economic development, inspire young people to seek careers in science and teach members of the public the importance of science in their everyday lives. Located in Cummings Research Park in Huntsville, Alabama, one of the world's leading science and technology parks, HudsonAlpha's campus contains state-of-the-art laboratories for biological research and development, as well as education, in the areas of genomics, genetics and personalized medicine.

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DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

The Finance Department manages all aspects of the Institute's financial operations, including grant and general accounting, financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, accounts payable and receivable, and audit relations. The department also oversees financial reporting for the HudsonAlpha Foundation and all financial aspects of shared services, including cost centers and purchasing.

The HudsonAlpha Institute seeks to bring research developments to the marketplace. Because funding sources and requirements vary between research projects, the Research Finance function of the department must review each project independently, seeing that regulations are met and that related costs are recorded appropriately. This includes calculating and applying all indirect costs to applicable grants.

In providing this service, the Finance Department provides valuable data for future financial projections that will assist in evaluating feasibility and economic potential and ultimately fulfilling the economic development aspect of the HudsonAlpha mission.

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POSITION SUMMARY

The Staff Accountant supports the Accounting Manager and plays a key role in maintaining the financial
integrity of our mission-driven organization. This role is responsible for maintaining financial records and
reports, administering sponsored research programs, performing account reconciliations, and
supporting audit and month-end close processes.

The ideal candidate is a self-starter with excellent communication skills, strong initiative, and the ability
to work independently while adapting to shifting priorities. Accuracy in general ledger maintenance and
compliance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) are essential to success in this role.

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DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintain general ledger records of assets, liabilities, profit/loss, and other financial activity,
  applying sound accounting principles across areas such as prepaids, fixed assets, deferred
  revenue, intercompany accounting, investments, internal billing, and labor accounting.
• Support the administration of sponsored research programs, including maintaining accurate grant
  financial records, monitoring expenditures against budgets and grant terms, and
  preparing/submitting required financial reports to grantors.
• Partner with program managers and department leaders to align financial data with
  programmatic needs and provide ongoing financial support.
• Generate and interpret financial statements for management, with an emphasis on budget vs.
  actual performance.
• Perform GL account reviews and reconciliations and support month-end close activities.
• Support annual audit and budget preparation processes.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

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EDUCATION AND REQUIRED SKILLS EXPERIENCE

Minimum Education & Experience: 

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required.
• 2–5 years of accounting experience

Preferred Experience:

● Deltek Costpoint experience
● Grant accounting experience
● Vena experience
● Experience working in a nonprofit environment is a plus

Required Skills:

● Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a strong customer-service orientation
   and a commitment to confidentiality.
● Detail-oriented, organized, and analytically skilled, with the ability to grasp moderately complex
   processing tasks and meet assigned deadlines.
● Self-starter capable of working independently, managing shifting priorities, and adapting to
   change.
● Proficient in MS Excel and comfortable working in a MAC environment.

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PHYSICAL DEMANDS/ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS/MENTAL FUNCTIONS

ADA Requirements – The physical demands, work environment factors, and mental functions described
below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the
essential function of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with
disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Disclaimer - All job requirements are subject to possible revision to reflect changes in the position
requirements or to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Some requirements may
exclude individuals who pose a threat or risk to their own health and safety or to the health and safety
of other employees. This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties that
will be required in this position. Employees will be required to follow other job-related duties as
requested by their supervisor/manager (within guidelines and compliance with Federal and State Laws).

Continued employment remains on an "at-will" basis.

Physical Demands
● Must be able to remain in a stationary position (sit or stand) for prolonged periods (50%
   of the time).
● Constantly moving during campus events.
● Must be able to transport materials required for various experiences. This includes
   lifting and moving up to 25 pounds of materials (e.g., small stacks of media, equipment,
   and other equipment) between classrooms/events and to and from parking lots and
   buildings.
● Frequent operation of common office equipment (e.g., computers, mobile devices,
  calculators, copiers, scanners).
● Frequently move around the HudsonAlpha campus to monitor guests of HudsonAlpha.
● Occasional air/car travel for meetings, conferences, or other activities which may
   require overnight stay(s).
● Vision abilities - close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust/focus.

Environmental Factors
● Moderate noise level (i.e., business office with computers, phone, and printers, light
   traffic).
● Workspace is generally an indoor office setting and other common and educational
   spaces throughout HudsonAlpha, with controlled temperature conditions.
● Occasional exposure to the outdoor environment during portions of the workday,
   including extreme cold or hot temperatures, or inclement weather conditions.

Mental Functions

● Maintain emotional control under stress.
● Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, in the English language.
● Use interpersonal skills to foster a stimulating, collaborative environment.

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It is the policy of HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, in accordance with all applicable laws, to recruit, hire, train, and promote persons in all job titles without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.