Research Finance Accountant, Sr.

Position Summary:

The Research Financial Analyst - Senior 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 portfolio managed by a Research Financial Analyst- Senior is complex and robust, with both federal and non-federal awards. The Senior 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. The Senior Research Financial Analyst will also have opportunities to mentor and train other more junior Research Financial Analyst staff as well as contribute to ongoing process improvements in the department.

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 Specialists that provide central oversight for project expenditures, financial reconciliation, financial reporting, and award closeout, the Research Accountants that perform invoicing, cash management and accounts receivable management, and the 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 for complex portfolio of awards. for a portfolio of awards.
• Researches and applies sponsor requirements, Uniform Guidance, GAAP, Vanderbilt policies and industry best practices to respond to problems involving expenditure management, award closeout, and sponsor financial reporting.

• Maintains the integrity of sponsored project accounting records by ensuring accurate journal entries, reconciliations, financial reporting, internal controls, and compliance with institutional accounting policies.

• Supports responses to external audit requests including Single Audit and sponsor audits through clear and accurate documentation as well as effective communication.

• 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 has no direct supervisory responsibility. 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 preferred.

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

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Masters in Accounting (MACC)/Masters in Business Administration (MBA) is preferred.

Experience and Skills:

• 3+ years of direct post-award grants administration is preferred.

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

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

• Ability to present financial information to a non-financial audience.

• 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.
• Demonstrated performance in establishing and maintaining productive and collaborative relationships with a full range of internal and external constituencies is necessary.
• 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 co-operatively 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.