Job Description

Organization Summary:

The University of South Florida (USF) Institute for Applied Engineering (IAE) is a Florida not-for-profit corporation and US Direct Support Organization organized to benefit USF's research, development, and education mission. AE provides agile, best value engineering products and services to enhance the performance, effectiveness, and safety of its customers, including the Department of Defense, other federal, state and local agencies, and industry. IAE provides these engineering solutions in alignment with its core competencies: Autonomous Systems; Human Performance Enhancement; Data Analytics; Cyber and Electromagnetic Domain Security; and Transportation and Energy infrastructure. IAE is currently executing contracts supporting Department of Defense and industry, to include a 5-year, $85M contract with United States Special Operations Command to provide applied research and advanced technology development products and services in support of their requirements.

Position Summary:

The role of IAE Staff Accountant is essential in safeguarding the financial health, compliance, and strategic decision-making of the business. This position is integral to maintaining precise financial records, supporting audits, and offering valuable insights crucial for the overall success of the organization. Additionally, the Staff accountant plays a vital role in ensuring that all costs are accurately billed on a monthly basis to the Defense Finance and Accounting Office. Moreover, the Staff Accountant bears the responsibility of ensuring compliance with federal cost accounting standards and other relevant regulations.

• Financial Accuracy:
• Staff Accountants are responsible for maintaining accurate and up-to-date financial records. This includes recording transactions, reconciling accounts, and ensuring that financial statements reflect the true financial position of the company.
• Regulatory Compliance:
• IAE is subject to federal audits and compliance, along with financial regulations and reporting requirements. Staff Accountants play a pivotal role in ensuring the company's adherence to these regulations, encompassing tax laws and financial reporting standards.
• Financial Statement Preparation:
• IAE Staff Accountant will play a crucial role in budgeting and forecasting processes, utilizing their involvement in tasks like processing accounts payable, payroll among others. This active engagement enables them to provide valuable insights into historical financial data trends and expenses which assist management in making well-informed decisions. moreover, in terms of audit support, Staff Accountants prepare documentation and facilitates the audit process to ensure compliance and seamless audits when external auditors review the company's financial statements for accuracy. Additionally, Staff Accountants are involved in cost control, where they monitor expenses, identify cost-saving opportunities, and work towards ensuring the company operates within budgetary constraints.
• Support for Management:
• Accurate financial information is crucial for Management Decision Support, and Staff Accountants play a key role in providing this support through the generation of financial reports and analyses.
• Technology Utilization:
• Staff Accountants frequently collaborate with financial software and tools to streamline processes, boost efficiency, and elevate the accuracy of financial reporting.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education Level | Minimum Qualifications:

This position requires a Bachelor's degree in Accounting and one year of related experience, or a Master's degree in Accounting or Business Administration (with appropriate accounting preparation and coursework.)

Education Level | Preferred Qualifications:

Prefer a Bachelor's degree with at least one year of full cycle accounting experience. Experience in DoD contracts, Deltek, and US accounting systems also preferred.

Degree Equivalency Clause: Four years of direct experience for a bachelor’s degree.

• Senate Bill 1310- The Florida Senate (https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2023/1310) is conditional upon meeting all employment eligibility requirements in the U.S.
• SB 1310: Substitution of Work Experience for Postsecondary Education Requirements
• A public employer may include a postsecondary degree as a baseline requirement only as an alternative to the number of years of direct experience required, not to exceed:
• (a) Two years of direct experience for an associate degree;
• (b) Four years of direct experience for a bachelor’s degree;
• (c) Six years of direct experience for a master’s degree;
• (d) Seven years of direct experience for a professional degree; or
• (e) Nine years of direct experience for a doctoral degree
• Related work experience may not substitute for any required licensure, certification, or registration required for the position of employment as established by the public employer and indicated in the advertised description of the position of employment.
• Minimum Qualifications that require a high school diploma are exempt from SB 1310.

Technical Skills

• Full-cycle accounting, including general ledger, accounts payable, and reconciliations
• Payroll accounting and labor cost distributions
• Financial statement preparation, reporting, and analysis
• Budgeting, forecasting, and cost tracking
• Accounting systems, including Deltek and Microsoft Excel
• Audit preparation and financial documentation
• Identifying and resolving accounting discrepancies

Soft Skills

• Strong attention to detail and financial accuracy
• Organization and ability to manage competing priorities
• Strong written and verbal communication
• Analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work independently and demonstrate accountability
• Proactive communication and timely escalation of issues
• Collaboration with Finance, HR, project teams, and management

Industry Knowledge

• Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
• Federal cost accounting and financial compliance requirements
• Government contracting and contract billing
• DoD financial management and contracting environment
• Direct and indirect cost principles and cost allocation
• Federal audit and internal control requirements
• Government labor, timekeeping, and reporting requirements

The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg and USF Health. In 2025, U.S. News & World Report recognized USF with its highest overall ranking in university history, as a top 50 public university for the seventh consecutive year and as one of the top 15 best values among all public universities in the nation. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine in the highest tier, placing it as one of the top 16 medical schools in the nation and inside the top 10 among public universities. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $750 million in research funding in 2025 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of nearly $10 billion for the state of Florida. USF’s Division I athletics teams compete in the American Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu.

Working at USF

With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees excel in USF‘s rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida’s best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state’s 12 public universities. Our first-class benefits package includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts.

About USF

The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USF’s Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu.

Compliance and Federal Notices

This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check.

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws:

The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Applicants for USF employment are entitled to request reasonable accommodation(s) in the application process. A request is to be made at least five (5) working days prior to the time the accommodation(s) is needed. Visit the Central Human Resources ADA Accommodations webpage for more information on requesting an accommodation during the application/interview process.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains affirmative action programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws. This job description does not constitute an employment contract.