Research Finance Accountant

Position Summary:

The Research Financial Analyst position is focused on financial oversight, accounting and compliance management of a portfolio of externally sponsored research awards. The position will be responsible for post-award accounting activities including financial reconciliations, review and approval of cost transfer journal entries, preparation of sponsor required financial reporting and award closeout. The Research Financial Analyst works within a sub-team to provide focused accounting and compliance support to their assigned departments throughout the lifecycle of their awards.

About the Work Unit:

The Research Finance Team strives for excellence in providing support and oversight in administratively managing sponsored projects, monitoring associated financial compliance requirements in accordance with sponsor regulations and university policies, and providing analytical and cost accounting expertise to the management of Vanderbilt’s research enterprise. Research Finance includes the Research Financial Analysts that provide central oversight for project expenditures, financial reconciliation, financial reporting, and award closeout. The department includes Research Accountants that perform invoicing, cash management, and accounts receivable management and Data and Cost Analysts that perform cost accounting activities and institutional research reporting as well as award setup and effort certification compliance oversight.

Key Functions and Expected Performance:

• Provides focused support to departments and Principal Investigators throughout the award life cycle, ensuring accurate and compliant financial management of the award as well as timely completion of financial reporting requirements.
• Reviews project expenditures for accuracy and allowability and proper accounting treatment, identifies unusual trends and compliance risks, prepares financial reports in alignment with sponsor requirements, performs reconciliations and award closeout.
• Applies sponsor requirements and Vanderbilt policies to respond to problems involving expenditure management, award closeout, and sponsor financial reporting.
• Performs financial reconciliation of awards from VU accounting systems to the Notice of Award and required.
• Maintains the integrity of sponsored project accounting records by ensuring accurate journal entries, reconciliations, financial reporting, internal controls and compliance with institutional accounting policies.
• Demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of university and sponsor policies and procedures regarding expenditures, award closeouts, and sponsor financial reporting.
• Identifies opportunities for process improvements and changes to policies and procedures to facilitate automation and fully utilize system capabilities.
• Task management in the Microsoft-based task tracking environment, including being a proficient user, adapting to software changes, and keeping pace with training and expectations.

Supervisory Relationships:

This position reports administratively and functionally to the Assistant Director of Research Finance.

Education and Certifications:

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education is strongly preferred.

• A bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in accounting is preferred.

• Work experience may be substituted in lieu of a degree.

Experience and Skills:

• Skill in intermediate Excel, Word, and PowerPoint applications is necessary.

• Experience with Task Management Software and various Microsoft 365 applications is preferred.

• Time management skills and the ability to work well in a team environment is necessary.

• Experience in higher education with a focus in research compliance and/or financial administration in a research university, academic medical center, or other organization subject to an externally regulated environment is preferred.
• Proven detail-oriented work style in collaboration with effective written and verbal communication skills is necessary.

• Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with a range of people, understanding their needs and goals is necessary.

• Ability to work cooperatively with others as part of a team, as opposed to working separately or competitively, is necessary.

• Openness to change, adaptability, and the ability to work effectively in a variety of situations, with individuals or groups is necessary.
• Ability to understand and appreciate different and opposing perspectives on an issue is necessary.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders is necessary.