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.

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.