Financial Analyst, Post-Award Administration - Office of Research Services
Job Description Summary
The Office of Research Services (ORS) Post-Award administration engages with key stakeholders, research administrators, internal and external partners, sponsors, and regulatory agencies throughout the post award lifespan of a sponsored project. The Financial Analyst plays a vital role in the success of research administration at Penn.
The Financial Analyst will work closely with the Office of Research Services (ORS) staff and research departments in the Schools and Centers to ensure compliance with sponsor and university invoicing, financial reporting, and other requirements, collaborate with our internal partners to identify ways to improve communication, workflows and efficiencies; ensure post-award controls and processes are operating appropriately; and provide support and guidance on post-award policies and procedures, and developing and delivering University-wide sponsored projects training for research administrators and post-award team members.
The Financial Analyst is also responsible for collecting, maintaining and analyzing various post-award financial data, providing ad hoc reports on post-award grant activities to post-award directors and departmental administrators, and assisting with monitoring research compliance.
The Financial Analyst works with the Sr. Financial Analyst and the ORS post-award team to develop reports and templates for analysis and operational use, ensure adherence to post-award and University SOP's, and report best practices across post-award.
Conducts financial analysis and reporting and tracks key operational metrics to support strategic decision-making. Analyzes financial data, develops models, and provides recommendations by interpreting data. Monitor compliance with accounting rules and controls, participates in audits.
Job Responsibilities
- Accurately initiates the sponsored programs closeout process, prepares financial statements and billings according to sponsor terms and deadlines; performs a review of GL activity to ensure compliance with circular and sponsor terms and conditions including monitoring spending, reviewing, and reconciling expenses, costs, revenue, EB and F&A, allowable costs, special terms and conditions and PMS activity.
- Tests for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with federal guidelines and/or other contractual agreements.
- Assist in developing, maintaining, and identifying new reports, templates, and solutions for operational efficiencies.
- Assist in development and maintenance and existing tools and procedures for post award closeout processes and research compliance monitoring.
- Identify areas of need; make recommendations; propose, develop, and implement solutions.
- Develop and deliver University-wide sponsored projects training for research administrators and post award staff.
- Support the quarterly monitoring process by organizing data, developing reports, analyzing, and monitoring grant financial data, processes and trends and making corrective action recommendations to improve controls for Penn's Schools and Centers.
- Assist in organizing sponsored projects financial data, generating reports, and assisting Sr. Analyst in managing the quarterly monitoring meetings with grant manager; collaborating with other internal University partners to ensure service needs are met by providing needed information, guidance and data for other departments and offices across the University.
- Assist the Sr. Analyst and Cost Studies Group with Uniform Guidance (UG) audit testing for allowable costs, reporting, cost transfers and sub recipient monitoring.
- Work with Sr. Analyst, internal and external auditors, and departmental administrators on departmental and sponsored project audits; assist in coordinating and reviewing document requests and responding to departmental and auditor inquires.
- Perform financial forecasting, reporting, and operational metrics tracking.
- Analyze financial data and create financial models for decision support.
- Analyze past results, perform variance analysis, identify trends, and make recommendations for improvements.
- Recommend actions by analyzing and interpreting data and making comparative analyses.
- Study proposed changes in methods and materials.
- Prepares internal financial reports as required.
- Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree, with preferred major in Accounting or Finance, and 3 to 5 years of experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience, are required.
- Strong verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills required.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a deadline driven environment preferred.
- Ability to adapt to changing priorities and provide leadership within the post award group preferred.
- Knowledge of and experience of sponsored projects administrative, costing and audit requirements preferred.
- University financial and sponsored program policies and systems including BEN Financials, PennEra, Effort Reporting, Data Warehouse, Workday, MS Office required.
- Experience with National Science Foundation (NSF) and National Institutes of Health (NIH) Commons strongly preferred.
- Experience working with federal sponsors and enforcing Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regulations strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to be detail-oriented and accurate.
- Able to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
- Demonstrated organizational and prioritization skills, along with the ability to work within tight and often conflicting deadlines.
- Must be flexible, show effective judgement, discretion and have the ability to handle confidential financial matters.
- Work effectively in a highly matrixed and decentralized environment with the ability to navigate through ambiguity and demonstrate appreciation and support for diversity, inclusion and belonging in a constantly evolving academic/higher education environment.
Job Location - City, State
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Department / School
Division of Finance
Pay Range
$64,500.00 - $75,000.00 Annual Rate
Salary offers are made based on the candidate's qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, and in alignment with salary ranges based on external market data for the job's level. Internal organization and peer data at Penn are also considered.
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